SHOW ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 113, 9 November 1937, Page 5

SHOW ASSOCIATION

LIGHTING TOP GROUND

EXPENDITURE AGREED TO

The expenditure of up to £850 for the flood lighting of the top. ground was. on the recommendation of the rinance committee, agreed to by the Wellington Show Association executive !ast night. Mr. R. H. Nimmo presided in the absence of the chairman, Sir Chas. Norwood. The report of the committee stressed the £act that people could noi attend outdoor sports in sufficient numbers in working hours An estimate of £965 had been obtained,for the lighting, but part of the work could be done by the association, bringing the cost to approximately £800. The interests of the debenture holders must be studied, and the influence of the approaching exhibition on the annual shows until 1942 made it necessary that a show programme should be put on which could take advantage of the presence of exhibition visitors while not conflicting with exhibition entertainments. The novelty ol electric light sports would bring increased gate money, and give the grounds more uses/ • ' It would be necessary to sustain public interest in the association's shows, said the chairman There would be little influence by the Exhibition until after 1938 Personally, he opposed further capital expenditure on the showgrounds unless, in the opinion ol the • executive, it was likely to earn revenue for the debenture holders. One had noly to travel to see the popularity of night sports meetings. To produce revenue, they must be hel^ at a time suitable to the public. Flood' lighting the grounds would make thif possible, and if they could obtain first, class boxing, wrestling, or athletic con. tests, the revenue might well be forthcoming Their first-duty was to the debenture holders. The manager haft made a fine gesture by suggesting that his salary be reduced and by offering to give sufficient part-time supervision to ensure that the association* work was effectively carried . out, They might spend £1000 in flood-lighting,-said Mr. J. G..Marshall, and yet not be assured of attractive sports in the end. Mr. Marshall thought thai £200 might be needed to put the ground in order. Mr. B. J. Gourlay, the debenture holders' representative on the committee, said that the expenditure seemed to be high on the mere chance o? securing revenue. . It must be remembered, said the chairman, that the: top ground and stand had cost £8000 to date, and ths investment was not profitable. The finance committee was of opinion that adding £800 to it was worth while. Mr. Marshall: Yes, if you have the sporting people behind you; you must think for,all, the year round and nol only, the horse shows.. The cycling track could be fixed up fairly reasonably, said Mr. G. Slade. Up-to-date events and sporting attractions would be essential, said Mr. J. H. Burgoyne-Thomas. _ Was there any guarantee that £1000 "would be the final, expenditure on lighting and grounds? asked Mr. J. Abel. It might cost £1400. , The meeting unaimously agreed to call for tenders for floodlighting the top ground, the work to be carried out if not exceeding £850, and if exceeding that sum the tenders to be referred to the full executive. . Th horse exhibitors, reported the finance committee, favoured February 23 to February 26, inclusive, as the horse show dates, as this would avoid the cutting up of the ground and dovetailing between other shows. ' These dates were fixed for the horse events which it was pointed out could, if the grounds were flood lit, be carried out on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, and Saturday afternoon.