NEW SHOW GROUNDS

Northland Age, Volume 19, Issue 31, 3 November 1921, Page 6

NEW SHOW GROUNDS

(To the Editor). Slß—Through the medium of your paper I wish to bring to the notice of the people of Kaitaia a few facts concerning the A. & P. Associations’s Show Grounds. For the information of those who may not know, 1 would point out that a new show ground has been bought by the Association from Mr. Hester. It is an ideal situation and lends itself admirably for being made into an artistic and beautiful ground if laid out by someone experienced in such work. The laying out of the show ground so that it is artistic, convenient. and practicable, requires expert knowledge and should not, in my opinion, be undertaken by people who are not experienced in such work. This new ground has cost the Association £4OOO. Surely it is worth while laying it out so that the arrangements will stand for years to come. We must look to the future, for as the district progresses so will our A. & P. show expand. Therefore the ground should be laid out at the outset in such a manner that all buildings, pens, and yards erected, trees planted, and gardens made, are so planned that the work is permaninl. If this is not done now undoubtedly it will be found in a few years time that alteration will have to be undertaken, involving the Association in a great deal of unnecessary expense. The task of laying out the show ground has been allotted to a Committee set up by the Executive of the Association. On Saturday this Committee visited the ground and laid it out as they deemed artistic and convenient. In the first instance the all important Grandstand, around which, as everyone knows, the life of the show centres, is to be erected near the middle of the ground and that part of the ground which will be west of the grandstand is to be leased for grazing purposes. Surely if this is done it will be an unpardonable blunder, for this part of the ground, with the river running behind it, and the trees on the banks, is an ideal spot for the grandstand. ' It is such a very short-sighted policy to look only to the requirements of the present,and it will be found that the whole area is required for the show. Then it will be realised that the grandstand will have to be shifted, for one might just as well have the grandstand on a racecourse in the centre of the course as the grandstand on a show ground in the centre. We have quite enough temporary arrangements in Kaitaia now. Do not let us have a temporary job and a permanent muddle made of our sho v ground. Let us have our show ground laid out with artistic design. Let us have a ground of which we shall feel proud, one which will be an asset of beauty to our town and district, one which we can show our visitors with pride, and point out as an example of how a show ground should be laid out. In conclusion I would urge that all who take an interest in their district see to it that the show ground is made attractive and practicable. I would suggest writing to the A. & P. Association, Auckland, for information with regard to the services of a suitable man for laying out the show ground.—l am, etc., F. HOLDER