WAIRARAPA JOCKEY CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2192, 12 January 1886, Page 2

WAIRARAPA JOCKEY CLUB.

Thb New Oobesb,

Our special recently- paid a : - visit to' the new course which' is being prepared by the above club on Mr T. Kempton's land at Greytown. As most of our flporting readers are aware, the course is situated to the 'south of the township, about a quarter of a mile from the railway station, and may be approached either bythe road which leads to the Lower Valley, or tho old coach road,to Featherston. Without a personal inspection of the ground, it is impossible to conceive what the club has undertaken, and the officers must have had great nerve and pluck to taoklethe job. Thore are people who even,now assert that the track will be .nothing like Tauherenikau, but it'only needs a walk round to see how the Stewards are going, to work, and little difficulty will be found for even the most verdant "sport" to prophecy that they will not only have a cuurao, but a really good one, Certainly, the going will not be that which will please everyone at the first meeting, but the malcontents, if there are any, muHt remember that everything cannot be done in a day. The present drought has been greatly againßt the club, as it has not given the new grass a show, but the soil, ia there, and with anything like a decent season, there would have been a fair turf. The coune is exactly a mile, without even an approach to a Bharp turn, great care having been taken to avoid this. It has been ploughed a chain wide, the stones picked twice, and the' contractors are expected to finish the third picking to-day. The worst part of the track is in front of the stand, some tons of stones having been removed from it. It is intended to fence'the oourao all round, but though the timber is on the ground, this will hardly be finished in time for the opening meeting on tho 29th and 30th insts. Itiaida the course are the plough and grass gallops, half a ohain wide, "which have also received considerable attention. The straight is only ten cha ns long, but this, from a speotaoular point of view, is a great advantage; allowing onlookers to see the position of the field right home, On the southern side of the course, facing tho town, is the grand stand, This ia a spacious building measuring 80 feet by 24 feet, and capable of seating between four 2nd five hundred people. Comfortable seats, divided-into convenient spaces, are to be erected. Though the stand is no .great height, about four feet six in the •lowest part, the .view is a really fine one, and a good sight of the race all round can be obtained,'and also of the aaddling paddock and. the rest of the course. Attached to the stand is a ladies' room, 16 feet square, which ■ will be furnished with all necessities. Adjoining the stand at the back is a commodious luncheon room, 40 feet by 18 feot, with pantry, attached ; underneath the staud oan also be utilised as a store room. Alongside ! the lunoheou room is the grand stand bar, '2B feet by 16ft, which will be fitted iipwith requisites. The timber used for the , buildings is totara, where necessary, rimu, and matal. The roofing!'Mb corrugated iron. In front of the stand 'is, of course, situated the lawn, about' half an acre in extent, divided from the course and saddling paddook by a neat picket fence. It is intended to utilise the stones pioked off the course in filling up in front of the . stand, eloping it right up.to the entrances; To the east of the stand ia the saddling paddook, covering almost an acre' of ground. Thia will be enclosed on the lower side and baok with a close boarded fence, 6ft 6in high, that on % course side being a continuation of the picket fenoe in froqt of the lawn. Seats will be placed around the paddook, and w.hen the proper season arrives it will 'also bo planted with ornamental trees; wtilph greatly im« prove the appoarnaoo and- comfort of the enclosure. In the southern- comer' will ' be erected the jookeys' dressing and weighing rooe, r Not the leaed wnoaf tfa ■

pump. Between the, lawß-.and-saddlihg paddock is.»-buil'dihg:'3oft by 12ft, also covered with corrugated iron. This is well lighted, and'divided into three compartments—Secretary's office, pressroom; •and weighing room-all of which will be furnished with their respective requisites, Adjoining this is the .stewards' and members' , atand, and the judge's box. A totalisator will bo placed between the UwnMthe saddling paddock, Bo that it may be;approachea from either. On the western side of tlio stand will bo situated the different booths. A number of other improvements, and convenienses are contemplated by the club, among them being loose boxes, scraping sheds, top dressing the track, <k, but-of course, all these things require timer The Olub iti to be congratulated on what. has already beon done, and the stewards.desorvethe hearty. 1 thanks of the members and sporting men generally for the manner in which they, have/carried out their duties.