MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9556, 31 July 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

A uHAT WITH THE PRESIDENT. THE COMMITTEE'S WORK FOR THE COMING YEAR. Yesterday, while in conversation with a representative of the Wairarapa Age, the new President of the Masterton A. and P. Association (Mr G. C. Surnmerell), who has been unanimously elected to the position, made some remarks which will be of considerable interest to many of our readers. "The work of the ;oming year will he of a strenuous character?'*

queried the pressman. "Yes." said Mr Surnmerell, "tc< , some extent no doubt, that is true. As to outlining the work I can only say that the Committee have to take into consideration the amount of cash which will be available for the purpose of improving and preparing the new Showgrounds at Solway.

"A scheme is now in hand to dispose of the old grounds for an amount that, with other moneys available, will give the Association about £4 000 for this purpose, whic'i will' be fully sufficient to enable the Association to put the new grounds into thorough order, and will place the Association on a sound financial footing. "It has been definitely decided to hold the 1910 show on the old grounds, and practically, nothing will be necessary in the way of expenditure on them, as we have a full equipment for holding the show there.

"Immediately after the show the work of getting buildings erected and the new grounds put in order in time for the 1911 show will be taken actively iu hand. The important question of buildings must be fully gone into, as it is the intention of the Committee to, as far as possible, do the work in such a manner that it will be of a permanent nature. 1 "Already good work haa been done on Solway in the way of levelling, sowing down, tree-planting, and clearing up generally. The site of the show ring has been definitely fixed, and a high boarded fence enclosingabout 60 acres is now being erected round the grounds. "It may be mentioned that anapplication id being made to the Railway Department for a siding on to Solway. It has been suggested! that the railway trucking yards should be removed to Kuripuni. It this were done it will do away with the necessity of the Association putting in a siding, but we are afraid the time is not yet ripe fjt this. "The Association are much indebted to Mr J. M. Johnston, of Palmerston North, who kindly came through and prepared a plan of show ring and buildings, which, after full discussion, the Committee adopted." It may be mentioned that at the meeting this afternoon, Mr Wni. / Perry will give notice of motion, "That Mr J. M. Johnston, ot Palmerston North, be made an honorary life member of the Association." In the annual report it is stated that "Donations totalling roughly £I,OOO have been received on account of the purchase and improvements of the Solway grounds, and the commit.ee desire to record their thanks and appreciation for the very liberal response made to their canvass in . this behalf."