THE RESIDENTIAL CLUB PROPOSAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9575, 23 August 1909, Page 4

THE RESIDENTIAL CLUB PROPOSAL.

The suggestion put forward that a residential club should be established in Masterton appears to be one worthy of commendation. The want of an institution of the kind proposed has been discussed for some time past, and more especially since a number of hotels have been closed up, as a result of the carrying of NoLicense. It is difficult to see how

the proposal can be regarded as being at all at variance with the interests of different institutions at present existing. It is really a suggestion 1 to add to the attractiveness of the town, and the result Bhould be, so far as trade is concerned, of a beneficial character in all directions. The present position is that there is one "hotel" fori the accommodation of the travelling public and visitors to Masterton, and a number of boarding houses. Boarding houses, as a rule, do not depend upon casual trade for support, but upon permanent boarders, and they are conducted accordingly. But, as we have remarked, the object of establishing a residential club is not to clash with the interests of existing institutions, but to provide a long felt want, and in doing so the promoters will find, if the work is undertaken and properly carried out, that there will be an increased tendency on the part of country people to visit Masterton, and, probably, to pay more extended visit 3. Masterton is the centre of a wealthy, if sparsely populated district, and should, perhaps, be rather more up-to-date than it is. Any movement that tends to unite town and country is worthy of careful consideration.