THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1908. ACQUISITION OF SHOWGROUND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9088, 13 May 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1908. ACQUISITION OF SHOWGROUND.

The Borough Council has done well to set up a committee to consider the question of acquiring the present Agricultural and Pastoral Showground as a recreation reserve for the paople. A definite oll'er has been made by tha executive of the Asso-' ciation, and although the precise nature of the offer ha 3 not been disclosed, we understand it is of such a nature that the ratepayers would be likely to sanction the purchase, having in view the importance to Masterton of securing such a splendid site fur recreation purposes. It was objected by one councillor when the matter was being discussed last night that there was a sufficient area in the Park reserve for all requirements. That is a contention which probably few will agree with. It has, however, to be remembered that the town is rapidly extending southward, and that; in a comparatively short

space of time the present Show-

grounds will be in the centre of a large population, whose demand in regard to recreation grounds will sooner or later have to bo complied with. It would be far better that such a splendid site as the Showground should be acquired at reasonable price than that later on a less suitable area of land should be procured at a much higher cost —for the price of land is not likely to remain stationary in the borough. We trust the committee set up last night to consider the matter will find the conditions of purchase such that they will feel justified in recommending the council to place the proposal for acquisition before the ratepayers without delay.