SUBDIVISION MOOTED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 91, 17 March 1936, Page 6

SUBDIVISION MOOTED

SHOWGROUNDS BLOCK. BASIS OF RUMOURS. Though officials of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association are reticent and, in fact, decline make any comment whatever, rumour is persistent that the finance committee of this organisation has a very important proposal afoot in connection with the Showgrounds property. It is understood, according to the information which is circulating in the city "‘that considerable discussion has taken place concerning a suggestion to continue Oakley Street right through the present block to Cuba Street, subdividing for sale as sections the area at present occupied by the oval, grandstands and cattle pavilions. This would mean the retention of the long deep strip of land on which the produce, industrial and exhibition halls now stand, and the acquisition of a property, possibly forty acres in extent, at Awapuni, as a ground on which the Spring. Show fixtures could be held. The Showgrounds block with frontages to Cuba and Pascal Streets, and running nearly back to leathcrston Street, is 23 acres in extent and occupies a very valuable location in the citv Eight acres on the eastern side, where the halls and administration office are built, were granted the association originally under the Agricultural Act, but the remainder of the area has been acquired gradually o\ er a long period of years under a policy of gradually expanding the facilities available. The association, in addition, possesses a twelve-acre property in Featherston Street, this being used to provide feed for show stock. The adoption of any scheme to dispose of part of the Showgrounds would necessarily involve the selling of this also. , ~ . However, it is learned that opinions are sharply divided upon the merits of the reported proposal, and that no finality lias been reached. The first move in the direction ot selling part of the association’s property was signified at a recent meeting "of the general committee, when the possibility of sections on the road frontages being sold was brought forward. It was then pointed out that the association, in addition to carrying tlie overhead burden of mortgage indebtedness aggregating about LIi.OUO, was faced with finding an alternative for the repairs to the main grandstand, for which no funds were available. Tentative and indefinite though the proposals are, there are good grounds for believing that the suggestion for severance of part of the Showgrounds with the object of subdivision has icceived serious consideration. In the meantime, the matter is merely ‘ in. the air.”

MANAWATU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

(To tlie Editor.) Sir,— Owing to the catastrophe caused by the severe storm a few weeks ago "and the damage done to tlie A. and P. Association’s grounds and the racecourse, the writer wonders if it would not be possible for these two bodies to join forces as one business concern. The shows and races would be held, of course, under separate management, but the association and Racing Club would, if united, each bear its. fair share of expenditure. I mention this matter in order that it may be discussed through your colum's, should others feel desirous of writing on the subject.—Yours, etc., WELL-WISHER FOR BOTH BODIES.