THE EXHIBITION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 592, 17 March 1882, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

The promoters have received advices from Melbourne that the first consignment of works of art, viz.. the water colors for the special art gallery, had been placed on board the e.s. Albion, and aa Tuesday was tier advertised date of leaving that port, ehe may be looked for in a few days. Tiie oil paintings will be forwarded by the Rotomah-'ina on March 21st. The letter goes on to state that, as an exhibition of fine arts, tiie Christchurch gallery will eclipse the Melbourne fine art gallery. The water colors are 133 in nninber.

As regards the arrangements for the opening ceremony, accoinodntion for seating 1600 persons round the dais has been made. The space thus taken up will be divided into blocks and painted i:: different colors, denoting the seats to bo occupied by guests, season ticket-holders, and those obtaining admission by five-shilling tickets. A plan of the arrangements will be prepared and may be inspected at Mr W. R. Mitchell's office in Cathedral square on and after Monday next.

In that portion of the building set apart for balls, etc., the flooring will be of tongucd and grooved flooring boards specially laid for dancing. The promoters will give the ball committee the free use of this room, as also of the services of the Austrian band, and any tiling paid to the latter for these services will be retained by them, Messrs Joubert and Twopeny getting no emolument therefor. The room in question will be 100 ft in length by 50ft in width. The building ia making rapid progress. The framework of the transept, and also of the fernery, is already erected, and by the time this reaches our readers the framework of the front entrance to the transept will also be up. On Monday next it is expected the promoters' office accemodation will be completed. The Gas Company's men have also been busy, all the mains and services being laid. Some of the exhib ; tors are already at work, fitting up their bays for the reception of exhibits, and it is requested that others \viil foiiow their example, as a large portion of the space devoted to Canterbury exhibitors is ready for the fittings, etc., respecting which Mr Mitchell

will give every information. '■ The contractors are rapidly pushing on the work, at least 120 workmen being engaged in the construction of the building, and in addition to the.ie others employed by vinous exhibitors are busily engaged. Application by telegram has been rereived for four extra buys for France, two for Germany, two for Melbourne.—Press.