THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1908. THE MASTERTON SHOW SITE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9034, 27 February 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1908. THE MASTERTON SHOW SITE.

When the pros and cons are fairly considered, we think it will be found that the proposal of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association to acquire part of the Solway Syndicate's Estate for a new Showground is based upon sound calculations and a clear discernment of what is essential in the interests of the institution and of the district generally. When the matter was first publicly broached we decided not to express at the time any opinion upon the wisdom or otherwise of the project, being in ignorance of the arguments to be put forward in its favour. Sufficient evidence has since been obtained on both sidea of the question from representative members of the Association and tradesmen to warrant a definite judgment being formed upon the subject. The evidence against the change appeared weighty upon a cursory view, but closer examination shows that its import has bsen over-esti-mated. The only valid objection to the change of site is to be found in the contention that it may have a detrimental effect upon the business of the tradespeople, but investigation discloses the fact that amongst the business people themselves there is little if any apprehension on that score. The retailers in general seem to be quite unconcerned, as People's Day is a half-holiday, and comparatively little business is done during the morning. The question of distance does not appear to bo of sufficient importance to raise a bar to the change. Solway is after all but a short distance from the present Showground, and if townspeople find

little difficulty in visiting the Carterton Show, ten miles off, they will discover ways and means of reaching Solway in comparative comfort. In other centres where changes similar to the one under discussion have been effected, the same arguments against the change have been used in advance, but prophecies of failure of attendance have been falsified. They are likely to be so in our case. On the other side of the question we have the committee of the A. and P. Association, composed of settlers some of whom have a considerable stake in the town, and all of whom have its interests at heart, advocating the change on the ground that not only will the Association benefit largely, but that Masterton and the whole Wairarapa district will be advantaged. They desire to raise the status of the annual Show from one of a more or less parochial character to one representative of the whole of the Wairarapa—to place it, in fact, on a level with the Manawatu and West Coast Show, and, if possible, to make ours the premier Show of the North Island. If South Wairarapa's adherence alone were assured, the change would be warranted; but in addition to this there is a strong probability that Hawke's Bay will favour Masterton if a' site alongside the railway line is fixed upon. Exhibits, exhibitors and visitors coming from North and South will give the Masterton Show a standing that should send the Association on to a height of prosperity that cannot be hoped for under present conditions. The residents constituting the committee of the Masterton Association must be given credit for knowing what is best in the interest of breeders and farmers. Their ambition on behalf of the Association is a laudable one, and there is no reason to assume that its fruition will be anything but beneficial to the town and district. It is certain that only by adopting the committee's proposal can South Wairarapa's general support be looked for, and it is equally certain that Hawke's Bay will not send stock exhibits here unless they can derail them on the ground.

It has to be pointed out that there is no intention on the part of the Association to interfere with the Carterton Spring Show so far as altering the date of the Masterton Show is concerned. Some fear has been expressed that stock sales may be removed to Solway if the Showground is to be there, but that is a matter in the distance. It in possible that the present Showground could be utilised for stock sales. With a bridge over the Waipoua opposite Columba road, as suggested by a correspondent in yesterday's issue, it would be easy to concentrate all the stock there. Every consideration seems to point to the desirability &f changing the Show site as propose.!.