PROPOSED NEW RACECOURSE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8988, 25 November 1907, Page 5

PROPOSED NEW RACECOURSE.

THE QUESTION OF PURCHASING SOLWAY ESTATE. REJECTED BY MASTERTON RACING CLUB. A special meeting of the Stewards of the Masterton Racing Club was held on Saturday, to discuss the question of obtaining a new site for a raceourse. There were present: —Messrs C. F. Vallance (chairman), J. loms, A. J. Welch, R. Buick, W. lorns, W. Cooper,D. Caselberg, C. H. Smith, O. C. Cooper, C. A. Pownall, J. Cress, W. Piatt, A. W. Cave, D. McLachlan, A. Reside. The chairman stated that it was proposed to discuss the question of purchasing the Solvvay estate for a course. , Mr Pownall said that he had acquired an option over Solway with Mr J. A. Renall on behalf of the Racing Club, the option to remain open until Tuesday next. The area over which the option was held, was 154 acres, and the price was £IO,OOO. There was some talk of the two A. and P. Societies in the Wairarapa amalgamating and the grounds would be admirably suited for race meet ings, shows and all kinds of sports gatherings. It was a big undertaking, but he had not the slightest doubt that it was the right thing. It could not be denied that the Opaki racecourse was not convenient for racing purposes. A lot of money would have spent to improve the | course, and the expense in acquiring Solway would not be so great when it was considered that that portion of the property fronting the road and the homestead could be sold, and in addition Mr Renall would be quite prepared to allow £5,000 of the purchase money to remain at a reasonable rate of interest. He moved that the Racing Club take steps to arrange with Mr Renall for the purchase of the property. Mr Caselberg said he considered that it was a very big question to deal with. He would not advocate spending any money on the Opaki course even, for a year at least. No doubt the accommodation provided at Opaki was poor, hut the track was a good one. Mr Vallance said he did not think the amalgamation of the two Wairarapa Shows would come about. He did r.ot favour the idea of sharing a ground with the Agricultural Societies, but rather that the Racing Club should strike out for themselves. Mr Caselberg seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Pownall strongly advocated the purchase of the Solway site. He suggested that the Stewards should go out to the estate, with a surveyor, and see it for themselves. Mr Caselberg said he considered that that course was useless, as the Stewards had already made up their mind on the question. In answer to a question Mr Pownall said the price worked out at about £55 per acre, exclusive of the price of the hon estead. After a desultory discussion, the motion was lost, only three members, viz., Messrs W. Cooper, Pownall and Cress,' voting for it. Mr Pownall said that if the club was going to still race at Opaki. something ought to be done to improve the appointments there. The chairman replied that it had been decided to bring the present outside stand into the inside enclosure by shifting back the fence at the northern end of the enclosure. Another stand would then be erected on the new outside enclosure. It was not intended to do any more until after the next March meeting. Mr O. C. Cooper said the Press certainly required better accommodation, and a cloak-room was a pressing necessity. The meeting then adjourned.