THE EXHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1696, 13 March 1906, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

REPRESENTATION OF THE EAST COAST.

t The quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Oommoroo oonvonod for yesterday afternoon at half-past four was poorly attended, whioh fact was muoh to bo re--1 grotted for the reason that the only bosit ness of momout was the consideration of > the East Const at the forthcoming Now S Zealand Exhibition. Mr 0. A. DeLautour 1 presided, Disoussion took place in regard to the i amount of spaoo that would bo required for Gisborno. , , , Tho Chairman stated that very fair support bad been mot with .in tho canvass I for local exhibits, and he had every reason to believe that a very good show would be made. In addition to tho display by tho looa.l oommoroial houses and freezing I works, a number of other entries had been j promised. Messrs Msckroll snd Colley, I Cl ay! on Bros, and J. Townley intended to exhibit, as also did Messrs A. R. Muir, H, I J. Bushnell and others. Messrs Flowors and G. Williams also promised support to the leoal entry, I Mr W. Pefclie asked what space would bo required, Mr DeLautour replying that I it would be bard to soy until it was I definitely known who intended to forward I exhibits. He (the Chairman) thought I that applications for spaoe should oloso next wook. Continuing, Mr DeLautour I stated that ho had proparod a fow remarks I for the mooting that afternoon, but in view of tho small attendance he did not know whether the mooting oared to hear them. I He attributed the meagre attendance to j the illness of the seoretary, Mr E. L. I Maude

Prossed to oontinup, tho Chairman said: “As this is our first quarterly meeting wo oan have but little to report. We wore favored with an interview with Mr Carroll, when we pressed upon him the requirements of the district. Chief of Iheso is tho development of the wator power of Lake Waikaremoana and the shortening of access to the Lake from Gisborne. I think there can bo no question but that electrioal power will be tho oheapest power in the distriot for all kinds of manufacture. New Zealand’s outlook, as a prospective colony, at present is highly satisfactory; yet we oaDnol shut our eyes to the fact that the competition of other oouniries is going to make it more and more difficult for the New Zealand produoer to keep in the front rank. It will be for the Chamber of Com-

merce to watch with the greatest jealousy every movement, publio and private, which in result entails greater oosS upon the produoer, and to welcome every improvement whioh cheapens the cost of production and Bxporo. Our prosperity is in exact proportion to the inorease of exports and extension of markets. Handioapped as our produoers ara by the want of good roads, and having to face the largest routes of sea oarriage, no reasonable concessions whioh oan ba made to them should be grudged or part, to bring baok in actual benefit to the distriot more than tbe concessions made. I should note with satisfaction that tbe Auokland Railway League is again drawing attention to tbe oonneotion of ono or other of the northern lines with the East Coast. The defect of our railway agitation in the North and among ourselves has been the want of persistence. I oannot but think that if Auckland’s publio men wonld work in harmony and fullest communication with the other centres tbe rightß of the North Island would not be loDger neglected. This district is, as it becomes improved, essentially a pastoral district. All olasses are supported by wool, meat, butter, and cheese. Whlie under improvement it should also be an exporter of timber. While no doubt adapted for the growths of fruits of all kinds it must be some time

before closer settlement and more regular systems of dressing and management bring fruit into a leading place as an export from Poverty Bay. The local charges upon exports are too heavy. The Harbor Board is now considering this matter. Where we have no costly inter-harbor maintenance, it should not be beyond a reasonable hope that when river improve ment is brought to as efficient a stage as prudence will permit the port may be made practically a free port for export of produce whioh has to find a market on the other side of the world. The Chamber

is anxious to have this district fully represented at the Christchurch Exhibition

Many firms and private persons have consented to aid in this. Whether this will be possible depends upon thoee who have offered assistance to formulate their wishes as to spaoe and to contribute to the necessary expenses on a pro rata basis.” The opinion was generally expressed that every effort should be made to have the district fully represented, and it was decided to hold another meeting on Monday evening next, by which time it is expected that tho Chamber will be in a position to decide as to the exact amount oi space required,