Masterton-Opaki Race Course.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 3086, 21 December 1888, Page 3

Masterton-Opaki Race Course.

Messrs Williams & Barker are just '■■ ' putting tlio finishing touchoa to the ; gnupd stand on the Opahi course and tpWrnildiug whon completed will, for its purpose and size, be one of the handsomest structures in the Wellington district, There is sitting ac v comuiodation for some two hundred • personß, and a clear and uninterrupted viow of the ivhole of tho course uuy s be obtained from any part of the stand. The building stands upon risinggrouud in the saddling paddock enclosure, aud there is a sloping j ! ; lawn in front which is very neatly enolosed with a sawn-paling fence '■• surmounted by a throe foot wide stretch of wire Dotting, which will ; effectuallj-prevontanyono from climb--1 iiig over and yet not obstruct the view. The front of the grand-stand ■ -. ■X is very pretty. It is approached by •two staircases which lead to a cer.tro landing, and there is a passago through to the back with plenty of xotk between the seats. Tho sides olWe upper part have been glazed which will have the effect of keeping out the wet and windy weather without offering any obstruction to the view. The structure is being painted in light blue, stone color, and dead white, and Mr J. H. La fioohe, the contractor, is giving it full justice, ■The only room finished beneath tho stand is the ladies' cloak room, which is 10ft -by 12ft, and lnatehlined through, Tho remainder of the space under the stand is for the present season to be used as a refreshment room. When funds permit it will be subdivided into offices of various kinds. The roof of tho building is covered with iron. Other improve ments hava been made on the ground tending to the comfort of all whoso duty or pleasure calls for their at- . tendanco at these races, A nine stall f table has been erected on tho left of < x tho saddling paddock, and additions * and alterations have been made to tho Stewards aland. Two booths and the band stand have been re-erected in more convenient 'Mpions, and convenient approaches . have been made to prevent crowding at the totalisators. The race-course has been newly mown, and zigzag harrows will he drawn over it soveral times before race-day. At eaoh post, to prevent horses running on the iuside, a hurdle will he placed. V The improvements made to the race- \ course this year are * credit to. tho \ Olubnsawholc, and to the Presi- \ dent, Secretary, and Stewards in particular. They have been fortun- ! ate in having tho oontract so faithi fullycarriodoutbythobuilders,MeJßrß ' Williams & Barker, the time for tho completion of the work being so limited.