PROGRESSIVE MARTON.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9015, 30 November 1907, Page 3

PROGRESSIVE MARTON.

SIR,—I would venture to suggest that now would be a good time to revive the Oliamber of Commerce which I think existed at one time in Jlnrton. There are many directions (a which such a body would ilud jcono for useful work. For in--«6mcu, ‘w'itli regard totbe establish-; Kent of the Government dairy school $ Marten," action might ' ho taken |ith good results. Last week the fiiililing Chamber of Commerce, and also the Feilding Borough Council, passed strong resolutions supporting [l]G claims of Foildiugiu this matter. Onr Borough Council did not hazard Up opinion, although a meeting has jeon' held since the free offer of land was made by the Mar ton Extension Company. With the near completion of the Main Trunk Railway, Marton’s opportunity lias come, and throughout the Dominion this is recognised everywhere except ' ;tn Jfarton, who,re tpe ■ unbelievers do Jwe'tl.' ; The’question of the erection, i[ central ’ yards fo? tl;o sftle of rat \'4 iiuw being commonly disfosse’d by farmers and others, and the views of the business men of the (own would not bo without influence. Surely, also, some concerted effort might be made to lender the town more auraocive to ttae ■in search -'or a home.’ An jraiidaut water supply, with a, reaction on fire insurance premiums which would follow, is a matter of nfaj impoi’taneo; and, indeed, if (orpMlimg is not done in this direction soon the town may disappear altogether- some windy night. If pie gods had been uupropitlous and seat their zephyrs to fan the flames [he other night the gentle trickle if {lie Marion lire engine might not nve availed as well as it did, and irhere tlieu would the fire have been? Half the town would have goue, or :he whole of it. The business men if Marton should take this matter ik and' if necessary borrow money ® tiro purpose of securing water, ifep if Such urgent work as the mptovement of the back streets lias :o be held over for a time. Then fliy should a Pastoral and AgrL altnral Association nop be established boro? In a few years millions if acres of bush laud along the frank Lino will be under sheep and attic. What place more suitable 'or a show than the Junction towu z ;ith its flue racecourse as a show round, where: exhibitors of show tort from all quarters could conaniently show their exhibits, to bo ispected and admired by the crowds i gunners frqm the great interior: [lift r chazico would places like 'eliding dr Wanganui, or even Pallerstou, have against a town with be advantages of situation posted by Marton tor such a purpose? lone whatever. And there, is no easou to doubt that if such a proectwere taken up, and vigorously aconraged, that in a few years a mat Metropolitan Show might be old at Marton, to which ghows at iimeTstoii, Feilding and Wanganui -onld be subsidiary, though useful s primary contesting grounds for be purebred stock that would tenturdly meet for a liual competion on the central show grounds at lartou. An improvement in the retepi of communication between aitou and the Junction; the abolion of the telephone charge for mages to the railway station, lilch is a most irritating and obictionablo outcome of a departsntal difference; the extension of « teleplione to the adjoining nmtry districts, so as to facilitate » development of trade with arton—these and many other ants will readily come to mind as flsous for the resurrection of the bmber of Commerce. Palmerston id Feilding are fully alive to the mger of Marton ' ‘ cutting- them it,” and both are sparing no effort 'prevent this, It remains for the ilievers in the future of this town [ “hold up their owu end of the let,” which the writer believes is 1 that is required to attain success jond their most sanguine anticipate.—l am, etc., MARTON.