PROPOSED CHANGE OF SHOWGROUNDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9033, 26 February 1908, Page 6

PROPOSED CHANGE OF SHOWGROUNDS.

(To the Editor)

Sir,—'Ti3 well that this subject is attracting attention through the columns of the press, for it is one that'is so important that it requires ventilation and consideration from several points of view, and it is wise that before anything final is decided upon that the pros and cons should be well weighed and debated. Agricultural and Pastoral Shows are instituted for several purposes, among which may be enumerated —the encouragement of the best class of products, agricultural, horticultural and pastoral—together with the impleman's necessary for production. The education of the masses of the people in all pertaining to the above matters is not tho least beneficial element in such shows. Even the merchant and tradespeople take advantage of the shows to display their wares to public gaze. Another factor, perhaps not of so much import as those mentioned, is that at almost all Shows amusements are provided far the general public, as is proved by the various jumping competitions and side shows being en the programme, these no doubt being got up to attract attendance, i.e., to swell the takings at the gates and grandstand, etc. Evidently the management of any Show looks forward with pleasure toabU crowd and larga proceeds from these sources. The exhibitors, especially those high-class breeders of 3tock, must not be lost sight of as contributing a most important element, for no Show could exist without them. But without any disparagement to these gentlemen they may bs classed as the selfish element, wealthy men who use the Show as a means of advertisement for their purebreds, and it really wouH not matter a great deal to these individuals if tha site of a Showground was on the railway line or a mile or two away. They will naturally come to where" the greatest number ofthe public do congregate. When a highclasg breeder from Southland, Christchurch or Hawke's Bay determines to sand in stock, such long distances, a mile or two extra at the end does not preclude him from doing so. The gist of the President of the Masterton A. and P. Association's remarks, reported in the Age, impress one as only looking at the subject from the breeders and exhibitors point of view in being able to unload their stock at a railway siding (Kuripuni). But it must surely be admitted that there are vast numbers of patrons and exhibitors at present, and whose number may sensibly increase in the near future, who would no facilities or benefit from 'the proximity of the railway, to wit, Gladstone, Wainuioru, Brancepeth, Blairlogie, Whareama, and the whole of the East Coast from Glenburn to Akitio. Nearer home the settlers of UpDerTaueru, Bideford, Wangaehau, Otahuao, Kahumingi, Bramerton, and many others would not reap the slightest advantage by going to Solway and adjacent to the Kuripuni siding. Surely one of the most important items to consider in the removal of our present Show to a more remote spot from the town should be the effect that it will have on the attendance. It is all very well to say that a mile or two extra distance will have no detrimental effect, but there are many people, especially ladies and children, who would hesitate to essay the nrdeal in hot weather, and who would hesitate to pay cab fares to and fro. I have no wish to enter into the motives of the syndicate in offering the Solway site. So far as the public know it may be pure patriotism. But we have the fact before us that one idea in the exchange is that the present Showgrounds should be cut up into building allotments. Quite a pleasant prospect for the land agent. Masterton has very few recreation grounds, and the present Show site is so csntrally situated that it might be so improved as to provide a place of amusement for all sorts of purposes —Caledonian, St Patrick's* Day, Friendly Societies, Band Contest, Trotting, Coursing, and numerous other gatherings, and this within easy access of the town residents. Another very important point, and one that has been mooted, is that the present Showgrounds should be utilised for the purpose of holding a Show early in summer for the exhibit of horticultural and other products grown at the public schools of the whole of Wairarapa—certainly a project worthy of consideration. And yet another point, though somewhat foreign to the question of site as a Showground, is the congestion of stock traffic that takes place at the northern approach into Queen Street from various parts of the district. This question must inevitably be faced, and ere long. A solution of this would be to bridge the Waipoua at the end of Columba Road. There is alreadv a right of access from the Te Ore Ore Road, so that all stock from the east and north-east could cross at this point. Concentrate all the auction saies at the present Showgrounds, which would be central for a very large number of breeders, at Gladstone, etc. All trucking necessary could be done at Kuripuni. This scheme would relieve the congestion of traffic at the northern approach to the town, as well as at the railway station.

'Tis mooted, but whether true or not deponent knoweth not, that there is a proposal to concentrate all stock sales at Solway. If this was effected the tradespeople of Masterton would perchance suffer very considerably in pocket, for many attendants who now regularly frequent the town on market days, would never come into Queen Street, but would return to their homes north and south by train. —I am, etc., AN OLD MEMBER.