AUCKLAND EXHIBITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1617, 7 December 1912, Page 2

AUCKLAND EXHIBITIONS.

« PREPARING FOR THE BIG SHOW. ■(By Telegraph—Press Assooiatlon.) Auckland, December 6. The plans for the housing of the Auokland Industrial Exhibition are now being transferred from paper on to the rapidlychanging pounds in tho Domain. A skeleton of the splendour of next year is rising above tho ti-ees, and'busy workers are actively bringing into realisation ideas that have been so diligently planned during tho past few months. When tho autumn approaches, the buildings will be far- advanced. With memories of bysono exhibitions, it is easy to clothe the nakedness of rough frame and rude excavations, and to form a clear impression of the "city of pleasures" that will bring so many visitors to Auckland next year. The general ■ scheme lias been graphically illustrated by one of the official publications, and from .this it is olear tnat the arrangement of the buildings will be both convenient and attractive. Their frontages roughly form three sides of a square, with the bold tower-topped palace of industries rising above the nia.in approaches. To provide the site for this mam building, half a hill has-been carried away, aud tho site is being quickly covered with the growing building. l?or some weeks tho oarpenters will be at work upon this structure, and then they will in turn raise the tea kiosk, the concert hall, and the art gallery. When this work is woll advanced, other workmen will enter upon the ground and cover the frame walls with white plaster. . The three smaller buildings'flauking the main structure on tho western side will conceal the baTO snaccs beyond. skeleton towers aTO already being .raised into prominence, and tho rough shape of the building, which runs back 400 ft. from the frontage of 300 ft., displays the great size that will be assumed by the main hall. Upon the eastern side a wide area will c be covered with a street of amusements, and tho big palace of machinery. Every portion of the big show will be directly accessible from tho central avenues, and within the grounds all that -which is pleasing will be visible. The, whole area of 35 acres will ultimately be enclosed by an iron fence, continued on the northern side along the Domain drive to the entrance gates. Provision will probably be made to conceal the harshness 6f this fence by shrubs and foliage. Creepers, wido spreading lawns, and brilliant flower-beds 'will form' an important element in tho general scheme, and plans for the decoration of the open spaces will shortly bo formed by the responsible committee, advised by tlie Superintendent of City Beserves (Mr. T. Parson), whose services have been placed at the disposal of the Exhibition Executive. Without delay the rough work of terracing tho grounds and preparing them for sowing and planting will be carried out. Side-shows are as necessary at an exhibition as a plum pudding at Christmas, and this exhibition will bo lavishly equipped for the amusement of its patrons. Applications from enterprising showmen have already been Teoeived in large numbers, and there will be no difficulty in utilising all the available space. "A local syndicate lias obtained concessions for a "Wonderland," which, in addition to the popular toboggan and water-chute, will contain some novel attractions from Coney Island and other famous pleasure resorts. The same syndicate will also conduct a moving picture theatre and other side-shows.