NEW YEAR RACE MEETING

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1929, Page 10

NEW YEAR RACE MEETING

STRATFORD’S NEW GRANDSTAND.

AN IMPOSING STRUCTURE.

The first day of each year sees great crowds flocking to the Stratford racecourse, and each year the racing club has had something new to show its patrons; something that has added to their comfort, that has tended to make the day's outing more enjoyable and that has increased the efficiency and enhanced the beauty of the course. Last year the new members’ stand was an attractive addition to the club’s property. Before that efforts were concentrated over a period on constructing a first-class hack. On Wednesday patrons will see the massive concrete structure which, with its curiously beautiful balustrades and wide promenades, while serving a useful purpose for the meeting, ia but the first step in the building of a splendid new stand for the general publie. Something after the nature of the New Plymouth stand, but with white concrete, replacing the asphalt, will meet the eye as the investor turns from the totalisator to seek a vantage point for a race. From the edge of the old wooden stand tiers of 16 concrete steps descend to the level of the lawn. Each step is about two feet wide and eight inches high and extends the whole length of the building’s 140 feet. At the top, leading from the old stand to the first portion of the new one are two promenade terraces, each six feet wide, and placed at regular intervals along the outer of these are groups of six pavement lights deflecting the sunshine into the commodious rooms beneath. When water falls on the bank of terraces it finds its way to the foot, where a thoughtful architect has provided grating traps over an ample gutter running the length of the stand. Thus, water cannot flow out to the lawn.

SEATS FOR 3500 PERSONS. The completed portion of the new stand will accommodate from 1700 to 2000 spectators, so that with the old stand above there will be room for 3500 persons to follow the fortunes of their choice without interference or craning of necks. The recent wet weather and scarcity of workmen has prevented the club from having the halfinch plaster finish laid prior to the' meeting on Wednesday. The architect, Mr. J. D. Healy, is proud of his balustrades, and with just reason. They off-set the whole' work and give a touch of beauty to the general aspect. Entrance to the afternoon tea and luncheon rooms beneath the new stand is effected through two wide passages from the front, a drop of four shallow steps taking the visitor to the permanent floor. There is plenty of light and ventilation in the rooms where the height of the domed ceiling makes the effect cool and airy. The club has utilised the double row of twenty-four massive pillars to create sub-divisions of ornamental woodwork about seven feet high, thus separating the area into convenient rooms but maintaining the full light area for all. TEA AND LUNCHEON ROOMS. The western portion has been made into an attractive afternoon tea saloon having an exit at the end of the stand. Then comes the commodious public luncheon rooms. These two rooms are a good deal wider than the members’ and stewards’ luncheon rooms '-hich occupy the remainder of the space, but all are served from the same kitchen, placed in the centre of the northern side and communicating with various rooms by ample passages equipped with all modern facilities for quick service. One can hardly conceive the magnitude of this progressive development until one goes inside and is able to view the surroundings. The cost of the contract was £4500 complete with plastering and cement on the balustrades, but all the cost of arranging the interior appointments is an extra charge on the club. Mr. C. Brown, Hawera, is the contractor. NATURAL BEAUTIES OF COURSE. Spoil from the excavations has been used in various directions. For instance, the old footpath leading from the parking areas to the lawn has been built up to the permanent level of the lawn, widened and gravelled. Having accomplished this improvement, it was found possible to raise the level of the lake two fc4t, so more soil was taken to slope out the edges and fill up irregularities, leaving the placid sheet of water an undeniable asset and to be the scene of future beautifying activities. Nature has been very kind to the Stratford club and it is a tribute to the committee that, while exploiting natural beauties, nothing has been done to spoil the original effect. The fine bituminous drive from the main gates eliminated the old dust nuisance and made motoring a pleasure, but iq preparing the formation great care was taken to leave unharmed the beautiful ’ native bush through which the road I winds. Along this route plantings of i native trees and shrubs have met with! great success. The drive is beautiful j now, but in years to come it will be ) more beautiful still. The committee j to-day, under the presidency of Mr. Sydney Pitt, is following the same thoughtful ideas that caused the early racing enthusiasts of Stratford to plant deciduous trees here and there about the saddling and exercise paddocks in front of the horse boxes.

In anticipation of a 10 per cent, increase in the matter of accommodation over last year’s total of 1025 motorcars the committee has arranged the lease of additional ground for parking immediately behind the stand. Consequently, there will be freedom of space for cars, and visitors desiring to partake of luncheon- in the privacy of their own vehicles will suffer no inconvenience from the short distance to be walked.

As the next contemplated improvement to the course is the erection of a new totalisator house and outside

stand, the committee has left the work on the new inner stand in such a manner that it can be lengthened at any time. When rebuilt the totalisator house and outside stand 'Will be carried further to the west, thereby giving plenty of room to build additions to the main stand. Last year the club erected 20 new loose boxes for visiting horses. To these has been connected water and electricity, while arrangements have been made with the A. and P. Association to accommodate aiiy overflow of horses after the stables in the town have been filled.

With the arrangements for reaching the course the north-bound traffic never comes into contact with the southbound ears at any part of the trip. Cars from north of Stratford leave the main highway at the showgrounds corner and proceed via Flint Road to Tybalt Street, which , leads directly to one parking area. Traffic from south of Stratford proceeds via Pembroke Road to the main gates and along the club’s private drive to the adjoining parking area. GENERAL ITEMS. An outbreak of fire occurred in the kitchen of the Stratford Convent on Friday when, it is thought, a wire fused in the oven of an electric stove. The fire was extinguished without much damage being done. The newly-painted walls were blistered. It is understood the damage was covered by insurance. The secret of our success is based on a fair deal and a one price policy to everyone. We not only increase our business but are establishing a reputation for highclass goods, dependable and prices of the very lowest. Every article in our store is a star value and our claim is to our matchless prices. The Auckland Ware-, house, general drapery and clothing store, (opp. County Hotel), Stratford. PERSONAL. Dr. A. W. Hogg, 0.8. E., Wellington, is visiting Stratford, accompanied by Mrs. and Miss Hogg. They are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Glasgow. Mr. C. Gadsby, son of Mrs. S. Gadsby, left Stratford on Friday on a visit to relatives at Maiiakau.

Mr. Arthur, chief clerk in the Public Works Office at Wellington, and formerly' of the Stratford office, with Mrs. Arthur, is on a holiday visjt to Stratford, staying with Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Burke."

Mr. and Mrs. R. H. White left on Friday on a motor trip to Rotorua, Taupo, etc. Mr. W. Pearce, Wellington, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Pearce.

Messrs. V. J. Henderson and R. L. Hancock left on Friday on an extended motoring tour.