THE EXHIBITION OPENING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 256, 2 November 1906, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION OPENING.

I A MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS

8 ! « (T- (Bj. Telegrapn.—Own Reporter.)

OHRISTCHURCH, Thursday.

The Exhibition doors are open at last, gnd an expectant public has an opportunity of gratifying its curiosity. There we re ominous clouds about early this doming, and it seemed just possible that Christcßureh was to be deluged on its ealfl day. Happily, the grey clouds gave place to clouds of fleecy whiteness, and the sun shone out, and. provided the really bright touch which was wanting to complete the brilliant ceremonial display. The opening ceremonies were indicated in my telegrams yesterday, but I should like" to refer again to the tri'mnpli achieved by Mr. Alfred Hill as contactor of the combined choir and orchestra, which rendered the fine music he composed for Mr. Johannes O. Andersen's Exhibition Ode. It was a powerful and inspiring performance of a splendid descriptive work, and the audience showed by hearty applause at the end of each verse how much it was appreciated. The composer and author were publicly presented to his Excellency the Governor, iriio expressed the pleasure he had derived from the performance. When the opening ceremony had concluded, shortly after one o'clock, the viceregal party were conducted through the building, and the general public were admitted, the side shows commenced business, and were in full swing with surprising quickness, the lake being alive •with pleasure-seekers, who had enjoyed the exhilarating experience of shooting the chnte. Nearly 300 mounted men from the local volunteer corps took part in a military ride in the sports ground about noon, and a couple of hours later the imposing ceremony of trooping the colours was carried out by 900 Canterbury volunteers. About 100 men from tie warships Challenger, Pyramus, and Pioneer were also present. THE VISITORS. Among the Auckland visitors at present in Christehureh are Mr. A. Myers (Mayor) and Mrs. Myers, Messrs. A. Eidd, C. H. Poole, H. J. Greenslade, and J. Bollard, M.H.R.'s, Hon. T. Thompson, Mr. W. R. Holmes, secretary to the Auckland Exhibition Committee, Mr. and Mrs. Evan, Mr. H. T. Garvie, .and Mr. Langguth (Austrian Consul). The Auckland members of the Ministry, the Hons. Jas. McGowan and Geo. Fowlds, are among the representatives of the Government in Christehureh. The Minister for Land 3 (Hon. R. McNab) is absent, owing to a promise to visit the JPalmerston North show, while the Native Minister (Hon. J. Carroll) and the Minister for Railways (the Hon. HallJones) were unable to visit the city for the opening ceremony owing to temporary ill-health.

AUCKLAND'S OPPORTUNITY.

PICTURES FOR THE ART GALLERY. It is generally recognised that the collection of British ait at the Exhibition ■las never been equalled in the colony, and there are already, as announced by ■Qu Premier in his speech to-day, people come for the special purpose of ma&r.a selection with a view to pureiaaiuj for public collections. Mr. Arthur M. Myers, whom I interviewed, io-wgbt, is quite alive to the importance of the occasion, and it will not be hk lack if Auckland does not share in an unique opportunity of securing some o! the treasures. He has viewed fie collection, and to-day he despatched to Mr. J. H. Upton, chairman of the Maekelvie Trustees, the following telsgram: "Oil paintings, water colour drawing, arts and crafts, in British Governinral exhibits seem to afford an excellent and unique opportunity of obtaining some valuable works at reasonaDle cost. A Sydney representative is here Trifi mil authority to spend £0000, and local people have subscribed £2000. Might I take the opportunity of suggesting that the Maekelvie Trustees send a representative to view the collection, and j meanwhile getting, say, 200 citizens to i subscribe £50 each. I, with pleasure,makMg one, to augment whatever sum the trustees may set aside for such purpose. Immediate action is necessary, as naturally the best works are being picked, out. If you think favourably, may I suggest you advise mc at once of the probable amount likely to be forthcoming and the date of arrival of the repre- | sentative, when I will endeavour to get certain^ works set aside if possible until £'-' arrival. Immediate action must be taken to get the best result." Mr. -Myers expressed his keen anxiety to «-;se Anckland citizens take advantage of the | ppportunity, for such a chance of securiDg art treasures may not again occur. b [On making inquiry in Auckland, a ! +>> ' re P resen tative was informed ! ™at Mr. Myers' proposal does not find favour with the members of the Mackelvie Trust oßard. Some members are ' sceptical about the possibility of the j public having sufficient interest in the j subject, to contribute towards the extension of the Art Gallery. The Trust ward has its agents at Home, and any rands available ore expended by them in we purchase of pictures.] IMPEESSIONS OF THE OPENING CEREMONY. Askea for his general opinion upon the the Mayor said he was very .amefc impressed with the opening cere- j aonv, and he regarded the Exhibition! a* being in every way worthy of the colony and its people. "When differences ha 5? pulation were tak en into account, , 9 thou ght it would certainly compare lavourably with other exliibitions he had + V. cludm S the las * Paris Exhibition. i. tnink the whole show superlative," j } he Hon - 00. Fowlds' opinion when M>ut the question to him. "It far ex"ti ni ™ y ex P ectali °n.V' he continued, Mm m regard to size and completeness £ exhibits. I think the educational exm, Ub are °* an exceedingly high order. has been sent over from - w bouth Wales particularly deserves able" me , ntioned ' f °r is very ereditprak P * Ix. F ° wlds had nothing but •therm • music al arrangements of Ti. P ? Ung cerem onr. itte Minister for Justice (Hon. Jas. Sv°TL d r ribed the openin s ceve - ft* p« St a PP ro Priate, inasmuea as "iMeS ° r made a most exaaHeas "t* coiofff PlDg tbe Im P elial as well as mfei £f a 1 , aspect'of event,. T,v ; I-re-"SlA^l m ' m^y fi,led his s P herG - WaTJh^*" 011 itse]f " Mr - Mc - totesfiS-1- -1 should sa y tha * &**.* • its cw - P ¥ e for the manner in which liPSll^ Thisisdue.no ' «Presei.7,t- cx P enence gained by its Preaentatives at previous exhib.£ions." I '-TURNING ON THE GEYSER. Uod 1 nf^ d °P eßed the cl *ver reproJueP Prepared ™<»**™* on tTC m the ound ty tu rning m the steam geyser this afteioon.

NEW ZEALAND AND CANADA,

Sir J. Ward cabled as follows this afternoon to Sir Wilfrid Laurier. the Canaoian Premier: "New Zealand hearto Jv reciprocates and appreciates Lan.ida'e good wishes. Exhibition magnificent, success. Canada's display a c'.erli*- to your country, and hope the -orenraner of increased commercial relalioESs.'-