MARTON RACECOURSE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9159, 5 August 1908, Page 6

MARTON RACECOURSE.

EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS. Since the last annual race meeting at Marton extensive alterations and improvements have been carried out to the course and appointments, and the Marton Jockey Club is to be congratulated [on its go-ahead policy. For past contractors have been busy with these improvements, and now the whole of the enclosure, which has been increased to over two acres, is now covered with buildings and plant that form one of the most complete ar.d up-to-date racecourses cf any County Club in the North Island. The management fully realising the growing importance of the Club had the grandstand built in the first place in such a way as to allow alterations to be made for increasing accommodation. The capacity of the building then erected was on a small scale, and an idea of the present extension of the grandstand may be gained from the fact that it will now accommodate fully 1,500 people. This has been the principal work and the building has been substantially built, and will admirably answer the purpose for which these alterations have been made, thereby filling a want that would have been much felt by patrons had the Club not shown this enterprise. With the completion of the Main Trunk Line—-Marton being the Junction —no doubt further alterations will have to be made each year to meet|the requirements of this go-ahead Club. Underneath the grandstand improvements of an extensive character have also been carried out, giving increased facili tie 3 in the luncheon, stewards', and publican's booths. A new cloak room has been built, and extra loose boxes provided for owners, which should be appreciated. The jockeys' room has been enlarged, and other improvements of a minor detail have been undertaken, including the "bird cage," which has been enlarged. The pedestrians' avenue has received great attention during the year, and this will be used for the first time at the forthcoming meeting. The entrance is from Golding's Line, near the railway station, which should prove a great convenience to visitors arriving by train. With a'.l this work in hand, the racing tracks have not in any way been neglected, and the caretaker has devoted most of his time to general improvements, particularly to the course proper, which promises to be in first class order for the an • nual race meeting on September 2nd and 3rd. Nominations will close with the secretary (Mr A. Way), at Marton, on Friday, August 14th.