The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1889. THE JUBILEE EXHIBITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2062, 13 February 1889, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1889.

THE JUBILEE EXHIBITION.

! It was not to be expected that there would be a very large attendance at the meeting called by the Mayor on Monday evening, inasmuch as country residents are now too busy with harvesting operations to be able to visit town except on pressing business, while of the business men of the town there was a fair representation, and there would, doubtless, have been many more present were it not that there is a general consensus of opinion on the matter. What we mean is that many who would have attended, had they thought there would be any opposition to the proposal to take steps to secure the due representation of Ashburton County and town, m order to support the movement, were content to believe that all the preliminaries would be arranged at the meeting, being ready and willing to give their assistance when called upon. There is a minority, of whom Mr Griggis evidently one, who ridicule the whole business, because failing to perceive the benefits which may be expeoted to be derived from it, imagining, apparently, that New Zealand is Himply playing the part of the batrachian m the fable of the frog and tbe bull, and trying to puff itself out to the dimensions of Victoria, or rather seeking to parallel or excel the big show which has just closed at Melbourne. Were this indeed the object their ridicule would be justified, for it is not to be expected that this colony should eclipse her big and wealthy sister. But this is not at all the motive of the Jubilee Exhibition nor the aim of its promoters. It is believed, and we think rightly, that the bringing together of representative exhibits of the productions and resources of the colony, concurrently with making arrangements for enabling visitors cheaply and expeditiously to visit the attractions presented by its mountains, its lakes, its forests, its hot springs and volcanic wonders will be the means, if well advertised to the world before hand, of diverting to our shores next year a large part of that tourist traffic which is always flowing out from the older countries, and that those who come to see will admire, and be induced some of 'them to stay, and many more to invest their capital m the colony. The effort is well worth making, and as it has been determined that it shall be made, most certainly the Ashburton district ought not only not to be content to be unrepresented, but should make every effort to ensure complete and satisfactory representation. TJ$ Committee appointed at the public meeting deserve to receive the hearty support and assistance of all, and we venture to hope tbat even Mr Grigg and those who were inclined to agree with him will yet see reason to change their views and to come m as hearty helpers of the movement which has now been initiated.