A SUCCESSFUL CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 271, 22 December 1909, Page 4

A SUCCESSFUL CLUB.

TAIUfIAJSI- JOCKEi U.LU IMPfiOVEAIEXTS.

Nut for very many years liavu wo been enabled to chronicle such progress "ii ilii- iia.it of tlic Taranaki Jockey l.'iub as it is our pleasure to do now. A change )ias> come o'er the scene. What was not so long ago merely a racing club, apparently, content with the holding of four days' moderately successful racing, amongst moderate horses, for a very moderate attendance of the public

—still, desiring bigger tilings, but not making a big forward move to attain Ilium—is now no longer satisfied to remain in the doldrums. The committee has aspirations, one of which is to be able lo claim, wiuiout fear of challenge, Ihui the Taranaki Jockey Club is' really the .Metropolitan Club in tliis province. The course lias been a good one for youis; the grandstand one of the best amongst provincial clubs; the stabling fairly satisfactory; and the comfort anil coincidence of file general public reasonably studied, lint of the officials' The secretary and his clerks, si.' .ards, clerk of scale.-.', mid all those cu erned in the management of the meeting were accommodated, if the word may be strained to that extent—rather let u< say cramped—-in a wretched little place thai had few features to recommend it, except that it had sentimental value as a relic. The 'Stewards' stand was an uncovered platform perched above the roof, and reached by a breakneck tliglit of steps. The committee's and jockeys' rooms were little dens. And the former had to do duty as a press-room, too, for the reporters' room in the building stuck away on the hill at the hack was too distant to be convenient. The

"bird-cage"—non-racegoers must understand that the bird-cage is a grassy enclosure alongside the stewards' stand, where the liorses parade before each event, and whither they return at the finish—was a tiny triangular green that made the term "bird-cage" seem appropriate. Moreover, the offices and stand and bird-cage were all placed just where they shouldn't be, and occupied space that should have., belonged to the people's lawn. Xhe'ijc were other mattors, in the administrative branch, which tended otherwise than to popularise the club's meetings. These hive been recognised and treated in the same way as the wretched old buildings. The old order changeth giving way to the new.

A visit to the racecourse just now is well worth one's while. Everything is being put into apple-pie order for the Christmas meeting. A prominent feature in tile landscape (no lover of landscape beauty will deny the club the use of the word) is the new stewards' stand, containing stewards' rooms, secretary's office, pressroom, weighing room, and jockeys' room. The building is an attractive one of two stories, balconied on two aspects. The exterior appearance is good. The verandah floor is of concrete. The secretary is provided with a well-lighted and conveniently-furnished office on the ground floor, running the full depth of 'the building on the grandstand side. Tlie dimensions are 28ft bin by loft. Tlic public door opens on to the lawn, and there is access for the officials' to the bird-cage. The jockeys' room is a large apartment opening on to the saddling paddock, and is fitted with M large lockers, usual lavatory basin, and so on. It opens on to tlie concrete verandah, whence a door leads

direct into the weighing-room. Tnc exit

is by a French casement into the birdcage, from which a gate opens into the saddling paddock. A straight and easy staircase leads to the first lloor. 'tue

sLowartls'' meeting-room is a large room at the front of the building, with several 'windows and French casements commanding a fine view of the course and lawns. This room is 18ft by 12ft. Belaud this, but not opening on to the balcony, is the stewards' sitting-room. I.m by 12ft. Both of these rooms arc nicely papered, and with these exceptions the rest of the interior is varnished ami "Halted," bringing out the matchless grain of some selected rinni lining. On the other side of the landing arc the pressroom and the handicappers' room, tin; former opening by French element direct on to the balcony, and the latter giving the adjuster of weights every privacy. Complete sanitary arrangements are provided, connected up with a septic tank.

The owners are also well treated. First and foremost, in the eyes of the general public, they are given a fine bird-cage, big enough to show off a Melbourne Cup field. And it's' as beautifully green as one can wish, a tribute to the untiring care of the caretaker, for the bulk of this lias been only re■cently turfed. The saddling paddock has been greatly enlarged by the removal of the 'hill—the hill which has

for years been quite a subsidiary grandstand, and Hie cutting-down of which has caused feelings of regret. The hill

j-viii mil loi.illy demolished, and there is si ill a nice green slope that looks as though it had never been disturbed. Kiglil neiv loose-boxes and seven new stalls hare been erected away to the rear of fclic stewards' stand, flanking the extension of the saddling paddock. The boxes are roomy and well built. Water is laid on. The old stables and sand-box still stand, and have received attention. There is' a proposal to erect another row of stabling accommodation to connect up the old and the new, but let us hope that some other place will be found. The execution of this plan would mar the principal beauty of the grounds. 'IIIiI- saddling paddtyck now at!rctcsies away towards Brooklands, and from here is obtained one of the finest panoramic vieivs to be had from the suburbs of New Plymouth. In the immediate foreground a newly-grassed lawn; beyond, a steep valley, showing all the many greens of the foliage of the piece of native bush in Brooklands. Farther on, but still easily visible from the racecourse, Mr. King's beautiful residence and grounds; and then, stretching away into the distance, the foothills of Burnout, which rises, majestically above them all, and forms the grand background of a magnificent scene. Amongst the improvements the ladies will appreciate the extension of the lawn, which' is now a beautiful s'weep of green, of which the club lias every reason to be proud. Iu fact, the state of the lawns is a distinct credit, and must create a very good impression next week, The committee has in view Hie further improvement fo the grounds about the grandstand by the planting ol native shrubs at 'the rear, and possibly llower borders. Investors will appreciate the moving of the totalis'alor-house some thirty feet nearer the course, anil the licensed booth is nearer by about the same distance. Further improvements are contemplated, but even now the club has dime wonders, and the property is a credit to them. There is no doubt at all that the progressive spirit •showji by the club will earn its own reward, and the Taranaki Jockey Club meetings will take their place with the foremost in the Dominion if the policy is maintained.

The contractor for the new stand was Mr. A. Cliff. Mr. I'ranjc .Messenger was the. architect, and Messrs. Bellringcr Bros, the painters. The work of each was ■well and faithfully done.