EGMONT RACECOURSE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 January 1925, Page 4

EGMONT RACECOURSE

lAIPRQVEMENT SCHEAIE

PRETTY AND EFFECTIVE WORK

On every well-appointed racecourse a feature is made of the lawns, the surroundings of the grandstand and the approaches. Each has a share—and that no inconsiderable part—in adding to the popularity of the course, besides giving facilities to parties—probably there is no sport in which the party tendency is more marked —to meet and picnic during the meeting. They foregather after each event, and they all meet to luncheon and afternoon tea together. Quite apart from the thrill of the racing, it makes a pleasant and most desirable outing. It enables an opportunity to talk over the possibilities of the horses and jockeys. The members of the party can console one another if they lose; they can rejoice together if they strike a winner. This aspect of the * sport in February and in May led the committee of the Egmont Club some years ago to discuss and lay out. details of a scheme to add to the already wide popularity of the meetings. The difficulties experienced by every business as well as sport during the years now happily over, in which finance was not easy and in which there were bigger things to occupy men’s minds, caused - a stay of proceedings. Recently, however, ” the comniittee appointed made a start by having erected the handsome and imposing gates on Waihi road and on Fantham street, on the two frontages of the southernmost jiortion 0 f the club’s extensive property. These have so far not been used. But. for next month’s, meeting they will'be in use, and the facilities thus afforded will be very welcome and much appreciated by the public. Especially will they be of service to the motoring patrons of the sport. All cars will enter by the Waihi road gates. The new area taken into use will be divided into two sections, the left hand part being used for ears going north and the right hand for those froih south, while members’ cars will go by a new gateway through into the part, formerly the only one in use, and which will he reserved for members. In order to facilitate cars leaving the grounds, those going north will depart via Waihi road and the southerners by Fantham street. This will save time and obviate trouble. A broad road connects the gates, and the rest will be tarviated. The lawns round the stands have always been somewhat cramped. A great improvement in this respect has Tbeen effected, and much more room provided by moving the loose boxes from the old position near the entrance right back, over _ towards the caretaker’s house. This means the addition of a very considerable area round the stands and the saddling paddock. One will now look over a very fine area of lawn, in various parts of which are pretty and effective garden plots and ornamental trees. The resultant effect will he very striking, and will add much to the attractions of the course, besides providing a sjreat deal more room for the convenience of the public. This area will before May he ploughed and sown down in lawn grasses. A desire on the part of the committee to feature the picnic aspect of the meetings has been one of the factors influencing their minds. The general convenience of the - members and the public has also had its part in bringing about tlie improvements, besides the wish of the members to keep abreast o'f the rimes.

A gardener has been engaged who lives at the course, and the bigger scheme of beautifying will make the course so attractive that it will be made, as the club hope, a resort for picnics at any time of the year. The work to he undertaken will not he complete for February, hut enough of it will he done to show what the finished scheme will he. The completion of the scheme will put Egmont in the front ranks, as it should be, of courses outside the cities. It will then rank equal with the best known outside the metropolitan clubs.