The Hastings Standard Published Daily. THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1896. CUTTING THE PAINTER.

Hastings Standard, Issue 45, 18 June 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1896. CUTTING THE PAINTER.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

That Hastings has a big future before it must be admitted by all who have watchwl its steady progress since the railway was constructed. Other towns in the colony have been mshed up in less time, and property owners have had cause to regret that the rise was not permanent; but in this district everything points to a prosperous future. We are favorably situated in a district which may be termed the garden of New Zealand, and our resources being varied must become profitable. Land is increasing in value daily, and there is a keen competition in the possession of household property. It is mot too much to predict that in a few years Hastings will become the Christchurch of Hawke's Bay. It will certainly become the centre of the wool-export trade, and a number of other industries must spring up in sympathy. Before Hastings was a town of the importance rt now is Napier

had the honor of ruling many of its in .stitutions. The order of tilings has changed, and it is about time that an alteration was made. Hastings lias been long enough attached to the apron strings of the larger town, and surely she should now be in a position to govern her own institutions. If it were more convenient to the general public to have its headquarters in the sister town there would be no objection, but it must 1);' admitted that with regard to the Hawke's Uay Jockey Club's aiiairs and those of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association it would be advantageous to the majority of their .supporters if the offices were transferred to their proper quarter. In the case of the former institution it is positively unreasonable that at a. two days' meeting owner:? and trainers are compelled to visit Napier on the night- of the iirst day's races to inspect the weights for the following day's events. Other disadvantages might be mentioned ml iii tin it inn, and it would not be difficult to prove I}:at a majority of the Jockey Club's clients would welcome a change in the direction mentioned. V,"e have without exception the best appointed racecourse in the colony, and it is rather curious that its control should be vested in a town thirteen miles distant. The Mime remarks apply to the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the advantages that would accitre from a transfer of the oilicers to I ia.-tiiigs are at once patent to all. If the question is considered on its merits it should not be long before a change is announced.