NEW TROTTING GROUND.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16434, 30 January 1919, Page 6

NEW TROTTING GROUND.

METROPOLITAN CLUB'S BIG

PURCHASE,

The strides made by the sport of trotting in Canterbury during tho past few yoars have been greater than could have been expected by even the mosfc sanguine supporters of tho sport, and that tho authorities are fully alivo in tho matter of their responsibilities to the Bport-loving public is illustrated by the fact that the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has effected tho purcnase of a large area of ground in tho Riccarton district covering 87 acres, at an expenditure of £21,000. The club's property at Addington, though quite up to the standard ol any trotting ground in Australasia, haa its disadvantages, and as the ground is only held on lease, thero are certain conditions attached which do not give the Metropolitan body full scope for the expansion which the sport demands. In its desire to cater for the general public the club has realised that the present appointments at Addington are not ideal, and that if the sport continues t6 advance as in the past few years, the outside accommodation will be absolutely inadequate. What is more, thf course iB so situated that every advan*, tage cannot lie taken of the full acreage, i and there is a lot of waste ground included. The new sito includes the property recently owned by Mr T. W. J. Snana, comprising 74 acres, while 7 acres comErise the property until recently owned y Mr W. Robinson, and there are a couplo of smaller blocks, 6 acres. . • • i

The property fronts the Riccarton road, Blenheim road, and Wbar«cUi road. nnd 3 with the exception of » couple of small sections, it covers the opposite Puriri road, and within a stone's throw of Deanfi's Bush, being not more than a couple of miles from the city. In addition, it is served by the Riccarton tram line, and at the rear of the property the Addingtonand Middleton railways stations are quit© handy, and the Riccarton station. is not more than three-quarters of ft", mile away, bo that country patrons will be well served with travelling conveniences. - It will be seen that the Metropolitau Trotting Club is distinctly fortunate m beings able to secure such an ideal property at this time. The club's lease over the Addington coui'so has stul seven years to run, but it is more 'than likely that racing will be in full swing on the new course before that period has elapsod. It is the .intention of the club to make the new grounds, vp-to-date in every respect, and full advantage will be taken of tbo natural beauty of the place to make the surroundings the most picturesque of any racecourse in New Zealand.' Already the pans for a six furlongs race track have been drawn up, and when completed it will bo easily the finest track in Australasia. The club does not intend to waste any time in commencing the.work of putting the necessary improvements hand, and when completed it willbody many advantages not possessod by th« Addington racecourse. The whole salo was effected through Mr C. E. Jones, of Jones, McCrnFtie Coy.. Ltd. (who wore the selling agents for the tnistees in the fffcnnd Mtate), and the Metropolitan Club will take possession early m April-