Waipukurau Jockey Club

Waipukurau Press, Issue 11, 30 January 1906, Page 2

Waipukurau Jockey Club

— o — IMPROVEMENTS at COURSE. No person with an eye for the beautiful could fail to admire the scenic splendor to be viewed from the Waipupurau racecourse. In front the plantations and graceful Hatuma bills and dales; to the left the picturesque, verdant - fringed lake; the occasional passing of the railway trains, winding round until lost in the distance on either side ; the expanse of beautiful country all around. No wonder that people, once having a taste of this unique scenery, flock in hundreds to view it again when opportunity offers—when the races are being held, for it must be borne in mind that a good percentage of the persons who attend race meetings do so as much for the outing they afford as to witness the events; therefore the more attractive the club can make the surroundings the better it will be for that body from a financial aspect. The club has now in hand considerable improvements and alterations, mainly to the course, which are being carried out unaer the supervision of Mr G. Fox, with a staff of men. The principal item being dealt with just now is drainage. It appears that one portion of the course is rather low-lying and liable to become somewhat boggy in wet weather, though at present there is very little indication of dampness.’ A drain is being made around and inside the track, and from this drain the water accumulating will be carried away to lower ground through 9in and 12in pipes laid under the course proper at intervals. Should wet weather prevail at the time of the races, it is believed that this drain will considerably mitigate any inconvenience that would otherwise arise. Mr J. Williams courteously showed our representative over the ground and explained matters. Further important improvements are contemplated by the club, including the completion of the fence round the inner side of the track.. We have been informed that the lawn is inadequate to accommodate the large number of people who attend the Easter meeting, and the question of extending the enclosure is under consideration. Trees have been planted on either side of the avenue leading from the main road to the lawn, and when these grow np they will add to the attractiveness of the place. More trees could be planted with advantage on the higher parts of the ground, care being taken not to obstruct the view of the course, which is now an uninterrupted one. The excellent, commanding position and natural beauty of the Waipukurau racecourse could only with difficulty be exaggerated, and were it owned by any one of the hading clubs of the colony its, charms would be unceasingly placed before the world. For the information of later arrivals to the district we may mention that the course, which is owned by the Jockey Club, comprises 109 acres,, and the buildings and improvements thereon cost upward of £l3OO. -