AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1898, 5 November 1913, Page 2

AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

The Exhibition which is to be opened in the Auckland Domain on December I is much larger and finer than was ever anticipated by those who were responsible m the first place for the Scheme. At first it was proposed to hold it, not in the big and airy Domain, but in a small tow-level park which 'as it has turned out could scarcely do more than hold the buildings which have had to be erected. The more enterprising plan found ready response among the citizena._ It is not an international exhibition, and its size, since it is confined almost- wholly to exhibits brought together from within the Dominion, Is the more remarkable. The floors of the three main buildings, housing the exhibits, alone add up to about five acres. There aro in t-heso buildings about a mile and a half of alleyways and corridors. The display as a whole is, in fact, a testimonial to t-h© prosperity of New Zealand. The gathering will have n strong claim on tho attention of the farming community, because of their intimate relationship with the progress of the country. The products of tho land will bulk largely in the show; farming machinery and farming conveniences will be displayed in large quantity and variety; and the State Agricultural Department is laying out exhibits designed to fill the farmer's eye first, with the pleasing of tho townsman as a secondary object. In addition to the instructive and educative functions, tho Exhibition makes a strong claim upon visitors by the wealth of amusement it, affords. Young people will bo attracted to Wonderland, a big area set apart for sideshows, which by night especially will be a scene of miignifioeneo, so brilliantly are the lofty structures lit.

Apart from tho side-shows, t&ere is ontertainment- of higher class. Foremost will be the music, for the provision of whioh the famous Royal Artillery Band of Woolwich has been engaged. This band is regarded as one of the finest in the world, and it is tho first that the War Office has ever allowed to leave England for lone enough io reach Australasia. Then throughout the period of tho Exhibition there will be other musical events, including nn important brass bands contest to bo held from February 9 till February 14. Tho general programme includes shows of various kinds (the first, a floral carnival lasting a week, opens on Decomber 2), sports meetings, military tourney, Tireworks displays, and many other interesting events. _ • Travel to Auckland will be greatly facilitated by the Railway Department, which lias arranged for the issue of tickets nt excursion rates throughout the Exhibition, while tho Minister of Railways, a few days ago, stated that special trains would bo run as well. Visitors can obtain particulars of all the accommodation available in tho city, and of the tariffs to lie charged, so' that they can assess tho cost of their summer holiday pretty closely before they start-