DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18366, 27 April 1925, Page 16

DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

"SUCCESS ASSURED." PROGRESS OF ARRANGEMENTS

On Friday morning representatives of the Christchurch Committee set up in connexion witli the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition met Mr TV. I?. Hayward (one of the directors of the Exhibition), and Mr C. P. Hainsworth (manager of the Exhibition) at the Department of Industries and Commerce. The members of the committee present were: Messrs J. H. Blackwell, A. McKellar, J. A. Frostick, G. H. Holford, A. W. Beaven, G. T. Mulcock, H. D. Acland, W. H. Nicholson, P. R. Climie and D. Colquhoun, secretary of the committee.' Mr "W. Machin, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the committee attended later. Mr E. F. Goulter, president of the Marlborough Progress League, also attended. Mr Colquhoun apologised for Mr Machin's absence and on his motion, seconded by Mr Frostick, Mr Blackwell was voted to the chair.

The chairman said that Mr Hayward had some information to give them.

Progress of Arrangements. Mr Hayward passed round for inspection a reproduction of a photograph showing the stage the exhibition buildings had reached a month ago. Since then, he said the progress made had been enormous: thousands of flowering plants had l}een planted and also rows of trees along the roadways leading to the grand court. The support received from overseas, from Great Britain in particular, Canada, and Australia, was very fine. The British Government had sent a representative to the Dominion, and they had decided to take one-half of one of tlio buildings, covering about threequarters of an acre, for the official British exhibit. The Federation of British Industries was organising a big display of British manufactures: a progress report received from the Federation stated that 57 firms had agreed to exhibit, and it was expected that this number would be doubled. "The whole position, as it is to-day," said Mr Hayward, "is that the success of the venture is absolutely assured." Good arrangements were being made respecting the Amusement Park—quite a necessary adjunct to an exhibition. They had contracted for a scenic railway and a water shute; and a number of showmen were negotiating, some for smaller and some for big amusement devices. For the Art Section a collection of American Art was being made in America; and fine collections were being made in Great Britain and in Australia. Regarding the Concert Hall part of the amusements, the Exhibition authorities had an agent in England arranging s for artists, and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Military Band would remain during the whole of the currency of the Exhibition. That was a great concession on the part of the War Office, as the visits of military bands were usually of short duration. He would ask Mr Hainsworth to explain the business arrangements in connexion with the Exhibition. They had brought Mr Hainsworth out to the Dominion to show them how to run an exhibition, and he believed that he would do so. Mr Hainsworth had been associated with a number of exhibitions,, and he thought that t.lio Dunedin Exhibition authorities had been very fortunato in securing his services. The chairman, in ' welcoming Mr Hainsworth, said that he had the best wishes of the Christchurch committee in the very arduous and responsible position lie had taken up, and gave him every good .wish for success.

Allocation of Space. .. Mr Hainsworth thanked the commit-: tee for their welcome. He said that he had been officially connected witli three international exhibitions at Homo, and 47 trade exhibitions during the past 22 years, and he thought that lie had served a fairly decent apprenticeship. It was gratifying to find that such great strides had been made, particularly in respect of the construction of the buildings, the lay-out of the grounds, and the enthusiastic manner, for the most part, with which the undertaking had been received. The site was, in his opinion, an ideal one, with the hills for a background. The new tramway service and the new highway would make make the site ideal in every way. Mr Hainsworth then, displayed a plan of the Exhibition buildings, and stated that the British Government's official exhibition, and the other exhibits of British manufacturers would be displayed in No. 1 building. It would be the British Court. Motor-cars and heavy machinery would not be displayed in it, but in the No. 2 building. 1 In the No. 3 building it was proposed to house the various provincial courts and, judging by the response so far received, tho capacity of the building would be taxed. No. 4 building would be devoted to exhibits from Canada, Australia, and Fiji. Both Canada and Australia were arranging for official displays similar in design to the displays made by them at "Wembley. No. 5 building would house the New Zealand Government display; No. 6 the New Zealand secondary industries exhibits, and No. 7, motors, commercial and pleasure cars. The largest building was the No. 6 buliding, and to all intents and purposes it was fully booked up. That promised well from the exhibitors' point of view. It was intended to have various attractions in the amusement section. Tho Festival Hall would, scat about 2300 people. The Maori House had arrived from Wembley.. He indicated on the plan the Art Gallery and the sports enclosure. Eegarding the provincial courts, he said that it was gratifying to learn that they had been taken up so actively. Wellington's and- Auckland's arrangements were well forward. Auckland had decided upon 5000 square feet., though some members thought that was too small and that 7000 or 10,000 square feet should have been taken up. It was decided, however, to take up 5000 square feet, with a probable extension later. The Auckland people had already appointed an organiser and had set up a committee. Wellington was not, perhaps, quite so far advanced, but he thought the Wellington people would require 5000 square feet. Mr Hay ward: That is aflreadv assured. Mr Hainsworth added that with these provincial courts and the Dominion court New Zealand would be well represented. Manufacturers were responding very well and there was every reason to expect that the display will be one of the finest staged. Southland had not yet fixed up about its court. On the 23rd a representative meeting regarding the Otago Court was held. He had no doubt that it would require more than 5000 square feet, and from every point of view it would be thoroughly representative. He was sure that they could expect from Canterbury one of the finest courts of the lot.

West Coast Court. Replying to Mr Frostick, Mr Hayward said that the four counties on the "West Coast —Westland, Grey, Inangahua, and Buller —seemed desirous of making a West Coast display, more particularly of their scenic attractions. They had an idea that these were not very fully appreciated by the- rest of the Dominion. A committee had been

(Continued at foot of next column.)

set —virtually the same as that which handled the Hokitika Exhibition. Tho scheme of finance laid down by this committee had been accepted by some bodies which had undertaken to contribute; other bodies had not done so, though they had not definitely turned it down. The committee had asked tho Exhibition authorities not to dispose of all the space without giving them an opportunity to come in. They , had no recent information as to what they were actually doing. Mr'Erostick said the reason for his enquiry was to ascertain if the West Coast people desired any assistance from Canterbury. Mr Hayward said that, on his own responsibility, he had suggested that the West Coast should make a combined display with Canterbury. On his return to Dunedin he would get in touch with the West Coast committee.

Secondary Industries. Eeplying to Mr Frostick, Mr Hayward said that the Secondary Industries Court would be devoted only to New Zealand-made goods. One fifm which manufactures goods in New Zealand and held an agency for goods manufacturfed outside the 'Dominion, had desired to make an exhibition of 90 per ■ cent, of their own goods and 10 per cent, of British manufactured goods, but tho Exhibition authorities would not accept such an exhibit.. Canterbury Court. Mr W. Macliin, who attended towards the end of the meeting, said, with reference to the Canterbury Court, that the biggest hitch at the moment was how to secure the "sinews of war" from the local authorities. There was also just a little doubt as to whether the Christchurch Committee would be able to get the services of Mr P. R. Climie, ->vho was closely in touch with the local bodies. A list of contributions had been prepared, on the basis of Is for every £IOOO of capital value, ranging from a contribution of 36s from the smallest body to & 1027 from tho largest. Everything depended on the reception given to the request for funds by the largest body—the Christchurch City Council. It was felt that there was no use approaching the Council till after the elections. If the Council agreed a number of the other local bodies would follow suit. South Canterbury and Ashburton appeared to have taken up the question of their representation at the Exhibition very thoroughly, and to have had little difficulty in getting their finance assured. This, he thought, should be a big lever in convincing the local bodies in North Canterbury.