NEAR THE OPENING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 6

NEAR THE OPENING.

BUSY TIMES AT THE EXHIBITION,

"Well, I am surprised—l don't beliove tho public have any idea of tho size of this exhibition," said a visitor to tho noisy buildings iu AVaterloo Quay yesterday. As. the locale of the Exhibition is right off tho track of the ordinary man about town it is conceivablo that the extent and importance- of the Coronation Exhibition are not yet appreciated. -Those connected with'its management are quite enthusiastic, and throughout the day are as busy as bees endeavouring to do half a dozen things at once, amidst a deafening clatter of hammers, none of which proves that the. big outer world, on which the success of the ■Exhibition depends, knows enougli. about the. big show. A visit to tho Exhibition even as it stands at present would surprise most popple. Such is tho traffic that it has bceometnecossary 'to'-debar' , anyone entering who is not on business bent, 'but a peep in one of the many doors is an eye-opener. A fever created by the fear thill.they might not bo. ready in time for the opening on AVcdnesday . week has seized on many of thn exhibitors, who arc- spurting to get through with their, stall-building by AVcdnesday next, m order to allow, of a full week for tho arranging and dressing of the exhibits. On all sides tho signs of builders offernig to erect stalls in double quick time meet, tho eye, and yet they all appear to bo going at top. The AVelliugtoii das Company is getting on famously with its tour-roomed cottage, which is now being lined with stamped steel. , "hat this cottage won't have in tho way of gas conveniences is not worth mentioning. . The stairs leading to the gallery in y store are practically completed, and all along the AVaterloo Quay side of the gallery has been divided off into sections for tho school exhibits As tlieso are now ready, the schools winch intend to be represented should lose no time in getting their exhibits ready.

ihe southern end of the gallery has been- secured by tho Agricultural Department, which intends to have a trophy of wheat sheaves, and a fino array of samples of graui, and grasses ot Aow Zealand growth. Tho homo industries will bo located on the harbour side of the gallery. Tho grand entrance arid exit to the sports Stadium, between the two big stores, is nearly ready. A splendid ]ob bad been made of it. . The Municipal Electric Department is well nude,, way with its pavilion, which is to occupy a central position in J store. "If will be as brilliant as a sunny day," said tho officer in charge. This part of the Exhibition will bo lighted 'with six arc lights, each of 3150 candle-power, so that tho general light will represent nearly 21,000 candle-power. In addition to this there will bo two 1000 oandle-powor lamps at cither end of tho department's exhibit, and every stall will be liberally lighted. This should make the interior of this great building a blaze of light..

■ Splendid progress has born made with the Concert Chamber. The hall has hern partitioned off from tho main building with corrugated iron, and within a. cnmfnrtably-sizod stage, has been erected in the centre. An oxtr.i flight of stairs is now being erected at tho partition admitting to the sallory. Thn exits below :iro all that could be desided. Mr. Dakin. who h.is secured the hall for tho Exhibition, will arrive hern from Melbourne, with the members of his company on Wednesday next.