RACECOURSE IMPROVEMENTS

Wairarapa Age, 24 February 1927, Page 2

RACECOURSE IMPROVEMENTS

AT TAUHERENIKAU. PURCHASE OF MORE LAND SUGGESTED. Acting on a suggestion by the Chief Stipendiary Steward (Mr. J. McMahon), conveyed through the New Zealand Racing Conference, the Wairarapa Racing Club has decided to negotiate with Mr. Q. Donald for the purchase of additional land to carry out further improvements to the racing track at Tauherenikau.

At*the last meeting of the Stewards of the Club, a. letter was received from the- Conference conveying Mr. McMahon’s recommendations. While congratulating the club upon its progressive policy, and the improvements effected, stated the letter, the President desired to draw particular attention to the paragraph in the report which referred to the bend out of the straight and the mile start being still on the bend, and strongly recommended that the club should make strong endeavours to acquire a -few acres of land adjoining the course in order to remedy the defects cf these two portions of the track, which would also considerably improve rhe mile and a distance and the mile and a quarter courses.

The Chief Stipendiary Steward’s report stated .that since June of 1925 considerable improvements had been made to the course, and the club now had new five and six-furlong starting ■points off the course proper, both of which were excellent tracks. The bend from the back straight to the courseproper had been greatly improved at considerable cost. Unfortunately, the club was cramped for room at the bend out of the front straight. Consequently this bend has net been improved, while the mile starting barrier was still on a bend. With the purchase of a few acres of land at this point the club could vastly improve the turn, and straighten the mile start, and would then have one of the best mile tracks in the Dominion. The club hail spent a large amount on improvements during’ the last three years, the total sum involved being £11,583, and it was a great pity to see this defect in the otherwise good work accomplished. The stewards decided to ask th? Course Committee to prepare a plan of the land required, and to moot the owner of the adjoining property to discuss the matter.