THE WAIKATO A. AND P. ASSOCIATION AND THE SHOW GROUND.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 417, 4 April 1899, Page 4

THE WAIKATO A. AND P. ASSOCIATION AND THE SHOW GROUND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sjk,—On reading the report of the meeting helJ laat Tuesday, I feel that a grave mistake had been made, in fact the grave of the Association has been dug. Let us first look at the position of different members. To establish the show at Claudelunds »nd build yard?, a number of uentlemen became lile members and advanced £lO each for that purpose. Many complaints have been made about the grounds, and no doubt justly, hut all must admit at last show the ground was vastly in proved, and after doing so much, it is quite natural that the syndicate would complete the w.ik of sanding the different show rings, as the material for that purpose is on the ground and cou'.d be put in place cheaply. About the decision arrived at on Tuesday list, members of the As c ociation are not bliimele.ss, if no fresh alternate offer came from the syndica'e, as those who attended the previous meeting will remember the Chuirnnn of the syndicate attended that meeting to hear some plan that was to be brought before the meetiig and described, but the prominent member did not put in an appearanec, and the meeting and syndicate were left in the dark as to what his plans were. At our last meeting an offer from Mrs J »l!y w=s submitted, but on the face of it I think mist uusitisfactory, and in my opinion could not be entertained for one moment. The A?scciat'on wanted a freehold, but Mrs Jolly offers a piece of land at. £2O per acre, but to retain the grazing and light-of-way, so that if the Assoc'ation died a natural death, they could not sell it f'-r the price of the parchment. Hut in the face of this, or without a place to shift tl.e show to, the meeting passed a resolu'ion to have nothing mote to do with Olaudelands- Mind you, Mr Kditcr, W'ithi ut consulting the men who had advanced their money to establish it at Claudelanda, and oa the votes of some piesent who had not been memlers of the Association for an If nr and evidently paid their 10>eaeh as members and brought to vote for that purpose. 1 mu;t say J think the remarks of Mr J. C. Allen did him credit. I think it is not too late even now to get an expression of opinion from the life members and see if they are agreeable to the show bving shifted. Lip to the present they have 1-etn altogether ignored. With regard to the cost of shifting yard*, reelecting • hem and obtaining new limler, I look on the estimate as ridiculous and as to the price estimated for the fcrar.d stand I would ask any practical man what kind of grand stand, to admit ladies to, can be erected for £l5O. Even at the chairman's estimate (and many contingencies left out) it would bring the price to £34 p-r acre. Before the ground is fit to show on (should it be obtained from Mrs Jol!y as a real freehold) I estimate the cost at very little less than £SO per acre as against Claudelands as a goin" concern at the outside sixteen pounds (£l6) per acre.-I am, etc., 1 A Member.