THE EXHIBITION OPENED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1136, 25 May 1911, Page 4

THE EXHIBITION OPENED.

I' A: COMPACT AND WELL-ARRANGED SHOW. \ %mm .facts ,mp : - figures. ;. ■ ! SPEECHES BY HON J. CARROLL AND OTHERS. !' -:V- ;■ A BSRD'S-EYE VIEW.' '■'

The New Zealand Coronation-'Exhibi-tion of 1911 was formally opened yesterday afternoon in perfect, weather. For. many weeks past manufacturers and vendors of wares made in New> Zealand have been active in preparing for the event, and. yesterday their effort's were crowned .with a nigh order of success. The gen-, era! opinion expressed was thalt the Exhibition is the "finest -local Exhibition ever held in New Zealand,. and on every hand expressions of praise could be heard as'[.to the .completeness in detail, the. comprehensiveness of the ■ exhibits, and the altogether admirable manner -in which they are arranged. Such opinions were more than confirmed last evening, when the Exhibition presented'a very gay aspect under'the brilliant light provided by the Wellington Gas Company, and the City Electrical Department.

. In the afternoon the public thronged to tho' opening' ceremony, which took placo in'the-Coronation . Theatre at 3 p;m. There were deficiencies in management in dealing with the public, but these arein-: separable from such occasions;' and by 3 p.m. fho Exhibition theatre was filled by, a 'distinctly representative, assemblage of Wellington's oitizens. Those who did not receive formal, invitations wero admitted late, but only, a proportion of them could be accommodated in the theatre. The rest interested themselves in the exhibits, and, were pleased and edified by what was displayed.- -• ■■ "••''.'

.The-opening ceremony was initiated by Mr! Clark's orchestra of eight performers." Ballinger,. the' Chief, Comniissioner, ..followed with a ..bi"J.*f history of the movement, ,and appended tome' interesting notes on -tho last industrial exhibition held in .Wellington in 189 M.'"' The Acting-Premier (the Hon. Tames Carroll) discoursed oh the advance of. industries and tho progress of the country, and the Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford) dwelt-on Wellington : being tho healthiest-cityin Australasia.' Mr. Robert Fletcher, as chairman of the' Harbour Board, also added a word or two of commendation to Mr. Ballinger and his associates for the good' work they had done, and' tie splendid results 'achieved. _ Be-. tween...the.' speeches, .the full strength of the,. .Wellington Lieder.tafel, .undar Mr. Eabert i Parker, sang -the part-songs,' "Thou .-.Gafnest- Here to tho Land" (Mehffonrp ."Oedipus", of Soblioclesj'' "Comrades in, Arms" (Adams), ■ Snathe fusing .. Soldiers jiChorus, -.from Goun'od-s-'Taust. ■': The speeches• were, in-Some, cases,, father'.leligthy,'and figures obtruded' 'unduly) 'but on the . whole.the. ExTiibition''waslaunched'with every omen of \- ; If .-.the; wishes, of. the., twelve, ■hundred--.people present ■ at ''yesterday's function/ count -for anything, it-will be 'the-imost "Successful'' effort of the kind that" : '-has ever occupied the attention of our. .citizens.,, .... ..,-..,.