THE SHOW SITE QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9045, 21 March 1908, Page 6

THE SHOW SITE QUESTION.

BEFORE THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MAJORITY IN FAVOUR OF REMOVAL.

The question of the removal of the Show to Solway was discussed at the meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon.

Mr M. Caselberg, who introduced the matter, said he was rather surprised that some member of the Chamber had not brought it up before, seeing that the interests of the town were threatened, and the Chamber was organised to protect such interests. He was- one of those who had contributed financially to the ear tablishment of the Association, ar.d he had watched its career with interest. Now the Association was in a sound financial position, and held its show practically in the heart of the town, at a distance very convenient for the townspeople. He understood that probable amalgamation with the Carterton Snow-people was a strong point made by the promoters of the removal project, but years ago Mr Donald Donald and the late Mr B. P. Perry and himself were appointed to wait upon the South Wairarapa Society and make overtures of amalgamation. The proposition met with opposition of such a nature that the speaker had a lively recollection of it. The object of the Show was primarily to bring people together to see and learn, and if the Show were removed out of town as proposed this object would be defeated more or less. There was a considerable element of speculation in the present proposal, and the Association was unwise to take such a risk as it proposed doing. The gate receipts, he noticed, were expected to increase at a Solway Show, but he thought they would be materially lessened— probably by half. The proposition to hold the stock sales at Solway—a side issue of the scheme- was also, ho contended, against the interests of tradespeople, and the town generally. A lot of big subscrihers to the Show intended, if the change were made to Solway, to withdraw their support, as they considered the Association was not studying their interests. He moved: That in the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce it is opposed to the best interests of the town to remove the Show from

he present grounds. The Chairman (Mr T. G. Mason) seconded ihe motion, stating that he had, as a business man with interests at stake, given the matter some consideration and, with Mr Caselberg, believed that the town would suffer if the Show were removed so far out of town. He was, however, prepared to admit that in a few years' time probably the Show, if removed, would be of such a magnitude as to be of great benefit to the town, while from a breeder's standpoint probably the removal had decided advantages. Mr J. D. Cruickshank said that his attitude on the question needed little further explanation. The Committee of the Association had had many contending interests to conserve, and it was a'most unanimously convinced that the step it proposed to take would not injure Masterton's business as a whole. The Committee had become tired of seeing valuable funds paid away year by year for expenses which would be entirely obviated at Solway. The committee was aiming for a bigger and better Show, and members of the South Wairarapa Society had promised to throw in i their lot with Ma»terton if a site near the railway line could be procured. The Chamber must bear in mind that the Show was not run solely in the interests of townspeople. Messrs J. B. Keith, G. C. Summerell, and B. J. Dolan also spoke ' strongly in favour of the committee's action in the matter of removal to Solway, and on the resolution being put it was lost on the voices, the mover and seconder being apparently the only supporters.