THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22520, 30 September 1938, Page 18

THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

PROVINCIAL DELEGATES MEET

DESIGN OF COMBINED COURT APPROVED (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELZGEAiI.) . WELLINGTON, September 29. Estimates of financial contributions amounting to more than £44,000 from the provinces to the combined provincial court at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, were announced today at a meeting in Wellington of representatives of provincial centennial committees to discuss.the scheme. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), chairman of directors of the exhibition, presided over 40 delegates, representing every province of the Dominion. Complete details of the scheme were explained by Mr James Fletcher (Wellington) and Mr R. Muston (Auckland). A resolution was passed unanimously approving the general layout of the court as illustrated by models, plans, and diagrams laid before the meeting. The meeting was most enthusiastic, and all- present agreed that the Dominion court would be something of which the whole Dominion might well be proud. An executive committee was set up to decide the actual features to be incorporated in each provincial area, and similar questions, taking into account the respective contributions of the provincial committees concerned. Ims committee was to consist of Messrs C Todd (Wellington, chairman) P. £attrick (Wellington), J. Sutherland Ross (Dunedin), J. A. C. Allum (Auckland), W. S. Mac Gibbon (Christchurch), and T. W. Hercock (Napier). Provincial committees' representatives gave indications of what their contributions toward the cost of the scheme would be. The amounts named represented only the minimum each would contribute, several delegates suggesting that there was every Possibility that their provincial contribution'would be substantially increased. Moreover, the contributions represented merely the amount to be contributed to the central fund, each province retaining in its own hands the amount to cover its domestic expenditure oh publicity arrangements for ltf own reception hall, supervision, and so forth. The estimated contributions were:— ■ „

Wellington .. ..10.000 Auckland .. .. 8,000 Canterbury .. .. 7,500 Otago .. .. 7.000 Southland .. .. S.OOO North Auckland ..' 8,100 Nelson .. .. 9,000 Hawke's Bay .. 1.500 Taranaki .. .. ■ 1,250 Marlborough .. 1,000 West Coast' " '.: , .. 1,000

- It was agreed that the construction of the stand should be placed in the hands of the originators of the scheme. Messrs Fletcher and Love, the exhibition contractors. . It is understood that Mr R. Muston will leave shortly for the United States to study aspects of-modern exhibition modelling, and other problems of the construction of the exhibit.

NEWSPAPERS THANKED

"HELPFUL NATIONAL ATTITUDE"

GENERAL MANAGER EXPRESSES APPRECIATION [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, September 29. Mr C. P. Hainsworth, general manager of the New Zealand centennial exhibition, in an interview to-day said the directors and himself heartily appreciated the very helpful national attitude of,the press to the big enterprise. "Before I left' on my mission overseas," he reiiiarked, "I recorded my thanks to the newspapers for their assistance, which is necessary to assure success for the exhibition. This very valuable aid was continued during my absence, and has been well, mamtamed since my return to Wellington. ■ "It is very pleasant and stimulating indeed to see the numerous clippings which show; day by day, the newspapers' broadminded treatment of the exhibition in "their news and editorial columns. This well-sustained friendliness has helped to impress the i national aspects of the exhibition on people throughout the Dominion, and to create a favourable opinion of the spectacular plan for the worthy repre- ] serttation of the various provinces. It is particularly gratifying to observe thai the publicity value of the exhibition from the tourist viewpoint is recognised by a number .of newspapers in districts remote from Wellington. "I have noticed, too, that some of the editors have commented on the importance of the exhibition period in the opportunity which it provides for mutually helpful meetings of people from all parts of British Commonwealth, meetings which help to strengthen the British organisation for maintaining neace in the world. It is recognised by many of the most intelligent folk in non-British countries that a strong British commonwealth is necessary for world peace. Unquestionably such an occasion as the New Zealand centennial-exhibition can have its part, in helping to. increase that necessary strength for the . benefit of mankind."