SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9183, 4 September 1908, Page 7

SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS.

.'SUGGESTIONS BY MR J M. JOHNSTON.

A visit was paid to Solway Show- • grounds oil Wednesday by Mr J. M. Johnston, Treasurer of the Manawatu A. ami P. Association, in connection with the report promised by him to the Masterton Association on the matter of improving the grounds. Mr Johnston met members of the General Committee and finally submitted a detailed scheme, elaborated by a plan. He considers that if the plan is adopted—the cost may be £IO,OOO— Solway will be the premier showgrounds of the Dominion at least, and possibly the southern hemisphere. The Committee passed tv very hearty vote of thanks to Mr -Johnston for his report, which will be carefully considered at the next meeting of the General Committee. .Mr Johnston, in his letter, says:— I have endeavoured to produce a plan as near as possible resembling what I consider most suitable for •requirements of a large Association. —.Of course it is a difficult thing lo :make a plan or even make suggestions unleas one knows the financial capacity of an Association and how far they are prepared to invest in ths establishing of a good ground, but I am convinced after a long experience in connection with A. and t Associations and with a fairly exnsive knowledge of many grounds in many countries, that the main ihi ig is to as far as possible start all buildings on a substantial basis, erecting them with the intention if lasting, and it is even better to do with smaller buildings for the time being and have them substantial than have large buildings and have them only temporary with the continual cose of alterations and renewing, which runs into a great deal more money in the tnd. My idea of a showground is concentration as far as possible, of course after making every allowance for the interest which would have to be considered. I am convinced that a circular ring cives the best results, because an oval, egg-shaped, or other shaped ring lead 3 to congestion, as the public invariably make for the point nearest the centre, for it is there, as a rule, the greatest interest is taken. A circular ring gives more scope for the judging than any other shape, and it certainly gives the public a fairer and better view. Another advantage in a circular rinu; is that they are 'much more convenient for trotting events, and 111 Australia, e-pecially in Sydney, ifrhey are a great draw and -•are run on ;a Lcnked-up tourse inf .side the uing. Where there is room iavailable in a showgiou.id there is improves the appearance of it so much as tree-planting, and it tends to make it'much more enjoy-, able, especially in hot weather, if the public crn obtain shade and view events. I have provided space for this purpose right round the ring. At both grandstands you will notice I have provided tjr lawn space, as this is just asfsscntial, to my mind, on a showground as it is on a racecourse, and I see no reason why the lawn in front of a good, grandstand on a showground should not be planted with shrubs and flowers, and look equally as well as on a good ■race-course," and it certainly tends to make it more attractive especially .'fol the ladies, and pknty of lawn rtisn on a showground can be utilised for private luncheon. Anyone who has seen the Balls Bridge ground, in Dublin, the Toowcomba ground, in Queensland, and many others of the Australian grounds will realise how pretty and attractive it is to have good plantations. 1 have provided for a circular road in this plan runnipg right lound the ring outside of both stands, and this is supposed to i be a properly made and graded road j with footpath;-, and from this road ! lead the other reads to the various ' buildings and ercloiures. Of course, J I quite realise it will take a very large sum of morey to have these things all made at once, but my idea is that a definite plan should be made, approved and accepted and finally carried out as ticne and money will allow. I suggest the covering in of ~ia 1 stock and u:e stalling of all cattle, except, of course, fat cattle. Nowadays cattle are all more or less handled are suffiicently quiet to tie up, and it is certainly a great saving of space and accommodation when this can be done. Horses also should be stalled the same way under cover, and aheep in pavilions, swine under cover, and, of course, poultry, produce, etc. I noticed an exceptionally good thing in Australia recently, and that is what they call washing down stalls where there is a supply of water, brick flooring, and a hose pipe, and all stock are brought up fro.ii their stalls and washed down evrrv morning.