Planted on 15 February 1911 by Lord Islington at the northern end of the grandstand at the official opening of Solway Showgrounds. Lord Islington was a former Governor of New Zealand from 1910-1912.

The following was recorded in the Wairarapa Age upon his death (9 December 1936, Page 4). 'Masterton has associations of its own with the late Lord Islington, whose death is reported in a cablegram from London to-day. On an official visit to this district Lord Islington opened the present Solway Showgrounds and planted a tree to commemorate the occasion. The tree, a Wellingtonia, is now flourishing. It stands just outside the entrance to the grandstand enclosure, not far from the band rotunda. Himself a veteran of the South African War, Lord Islington was entertained while in Masterton by the district branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association. In this district, as in other parts of the Dominion, Lord Islington is remembered by those who came in any way into contact with him as a man of great ability and of a most unpretending and winning personality.' (Cadwallader, B., 2022)

References
[1] Papers Past. MASTERTON SHOW: Otago Witness, Issue 2971, 22 February 1911, Page 8
[2] Papers Past. Untitled: Wairarapa Age, 9 December 1936, Page 4