THE EXHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1920, 1 November 1906, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

HEAVY RAIN SETS IN. ARRIVAL OF BARATONGAS,

PRESS ASSOCIATION i Christchurch, last night. .. «*■ concerned, the N.Z International Exhibition is not likely to prove an exception to the general rule, for there is yet much to bo clono to got many of tho courts and a considerable portion of the grounds into ■ ’ , shipshape. Strenuous cll'orts are, how j over, being made to have things as forward \W as possiblo by the morning, and the general impression is that affairs will be found to be in a satisfactory condition when tho Governor performs the opening I ceremony. To day heavy rain has been an obstacle to putting the grounds in order, and shoots of water cover many parts of the tracks and lawns, while the rooting of the buildings has proved to be somewhat leaky. Tho keenest interest is manifested in tho opening ceremony to-morrow, and people from all parts of tho country are flocking into tho city. There will bo a galaxy of distinguished representatives and visitors, and the functions will certainly be the most majes tic in tho history of the colony's progress. The scene in front of tho Exhibition as tho ceremonial hour approaches promises to be extremely brilliant. The main body of vice-presidents, chair- | man of Executive Commissioners, and ceremonial committee will await the j Governor’s arrival at the main entrance, where His Excellency will be received at half-past eleven o’clock by the President of the Exhibition, and conducted to his seat, A verse of the National Anthem will salute the Vice-Regal procession, and the choir, accompanied by the orchestra, will sing the National Anthem after the Governor has been conducted to his scat, and the Exhibition ode will also be rendered. Sir Joseph Ward will then present His Excellency with a gold key, and Lord Plunkct, after replying, will declare tho Exhibition open. This will be the signal for a military salute by the artillery on the sports ground, simultaneous with the hoisting of the Union Jack and the flags of other nations The National Anthem will be played by the massed bands, and the New Zealand Exhibition of 1906 will he launched, the public being immediately admitted by all doors. There "was a very interesting event at the pah to-day, when all the inhabitants assembled and gavo a hearty Maori welcome to the Karatongas, who arrived at Lyttelton this morning and were at once taken to the pah. The Maoris were ready for their visitors, and the old style of welcome was given. Tho vist-ors were taken to the la r g9 runmga house. They gaibertd on tbs verandah, tbs women sitting in a row in front, and tbs men standing bobinf, grouped io that way. Tosy saDg one of their old native part songs, and tbo effect was most musical, and all the spectators wore charmed with tbo harmony and soft oadenoe, which it mast bo admitted was in striking contrast to tba voices of the Maoris. i Tho Hob. J. MoGowan addressed the /Maoris, and asked them to do what they conld for the comfort of the visitors, and : then the “ boogi ” took place, the Maoris beiog led by old Mahuta, bdJ tho hosts and guests rubbed noses in aooordanoe wiih ancient custom. The Raraiongas number twenty-three altogether, Ttrey state that they feel the cold of the olimate severely.

TO BE OPENED TO DAY.

HISTORY OF THE UNDERTAKING (Spec'al Rgporiere ) Ohrisiohurcb, Oat. 29, Thera are throe topic i of conversation in this fairy City of tho PiaiDa 10-dsy—tbo Exbibilioo, the heat, and tho dust. No raio baa fallen for several weeks, and aoroas tho parched and arid plain clouds of fine dust are beiDg driven by a bot northerly wind, Id the Exhibition grounds and building?, despile the beat and dust, all ia buatle aud hurry, Within the Ex-

hibition there is the roar cf a hundred

hammers and the hum of a hundred saw?. So far as the Exhibition buildings themselves are concerned they are complete, but the unreadiness of maDy of the exhibits accounts for the feverish baste that is beiDg displayed. Work went on all day Sunday, notwithstanding the fulminations from soma local pulpits and protests made (through the press, This afternoon gangs of men were put on sweeping up She rnb bish around the stalls and scrubbing those portions of the building near to where the opening ceremony will tftko plaor. One of the most striking things in connection with the preparations is the cl Her-.

eocea one sees in au hour. Passing down qo avenue at, say, two o’olock, ooe sees all litter and oonfusioD, at three overythmg is oleared away, and the exhibits are covered up with sorim to shield them from the dust. To-day the heat in the buildings 13 {intense, that is, for New Zealand. The direction of the wind, the ant:C3 of the dust outside, and the temperataro within, recall the Melbourne Exhibition of 1883

in its opening days. BOW THE EXHIBITION OBIGINaTED. The history of the origin of the Exhibition and its development inio a ibiag of being shows how o small and modest beginning sometime makes for big and important resulte. The idea of holding 4he Exhibition first found official utterance and publiaity in the Governor’s speech on tbo occasion of tbo opening of Parliament iD Jane, 1903, 11 My Ministers consider,” said Lord Banfurly, the then Governor, '* that an Exhibition at no distant date on an extensive scale in New Zsalend would be to the advantage of agriculture, oommorce, and the industries -of the colony," The credit of the suggestion thus put forth, according to the statement subsequently made by the late premier, was due to Mr T. H. Hamer, the present Under-Secretary to the Mines department, and at that time private eeoretary to Mr Seddon. In bringing down his Budget in the same year, Mi Seddon referred to the matter at greatoi leDgth. He alluded to the aocoess tba 1 had attended less ambitious exhibitions in the colony as a good augury for holding a fair on a scale uoprecadentod south of the lino. Ho then stated that the Government decided that the City of the Plains should be asked to provide the site, but as yet ihe proposed Exhibition had boon honored with no rnora pretentions tit'e Iban a groDd Intercolonial New Zealand Pair, The proposal seems at that time to hate fallen on indifferent ears, and a year gassed by without any steps being taken to put the prcjrot into practical shape. In his Finanoml Statement in 1904, bow--ever, Mr Seddon returned to the subject, and expressed a hope that the matter would be taken up with vigor. Public interest now began to be awakened in tbo undertaking, and a proposal which had hean set on foot for tbo holding of an industrial exhibition in Wellington wo3 (relinquished, in order that the Premiot’s proposal might have a fair field, Mr Seddon obtained a vole of TIOOO from Parliament to cover the preliminary expenses, and after tbe rising of Parliament in November, 1904, he visited Christ--church, and laid before a public meeting the Government’s scheme for the holding of the Exhibition. The mealing affirmed dhe desirableness of holding the Exhibition, and a fow days finer tho scheme received tbo endorsement of a conference •of looal bodies, which had been convened So consider tbo proposal. A committee was «et up, aDd tbo date of tho opening of the Exhibition was fixed far November, 1900. After some consideration ns to She relative merits of sites, it was agreed that the distinction of providing the home for tbe great fair should be conferred on the North Park,

METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION, The system of administration under' went several changes before a permanent scheme of management was decided upon in the appointment of an executive comjnittce, consisting of the Executive Commissioners, the chairman of the sectional committees, and. a number of others. Mr G. S. Munro, of the Commerce and Industries Department, was appointed representative Commissioner, and bir John JUall and Mr E, Allen wore elected to' work

with him. In August hist. Mr Alien re signed on account of ill-health, mill Messrs W. Reece anil G. I. Booth were appointed as Executive Commissioners to act with Mr Munro. According to common report, the Commissioners have not altogether been a happy family, but the nature and cause of the friction that has arisen need not he dwell upon here. GETTING THE EX.ItHUT.ION UNDER WAV.

Tin' storx of l io\v Iho .Exhibition wits UOtllllllv StlU'il'll on its why wins lolil to mi inti'i-vii'Wi'!' sumo tinto by Mi' Mmifo. It wits, ho sniil, ill April, l'.HVi. wlion ho was I'nrr.vinji out his duties : 1 1 ns Aoiit::'pSooroi.ir\ to tlio Dopartmout of 1 1 ullistI'ii's mill Comtiioroo 11 1 ; 1 1. he wns sont for by Mr Soililoii. \\ iihoul any preamble tlio Into t’romier, who on smile oeeiisions was a lmiti ni low woi'tls, sitiil : ' ” Munro. I want you to i;o to I'hrisieliuivh ami start tlio Exhibition.” " \ orv wall, sir.” was tlio reply. " Wlion onn you ” .Mr tSoitilmi iislio.l. mill on beini; tolil " tonifjlil.” lie replied in elinrai'toristic sty In. •• itiylu off you ;;o tiion, mnl ywt ilio Exhibition mill; r way.'' Mr Miiuro iliil tlio biililiiu; of liis oiiief, anil on iirrivitiij in tlio Catheiiral City ho tnlkcil ovor tlio plan of oampaiatt with a niimlior of loiuiiui; oitiitens IiKSCON SIBII.ITIUS Ob’ THE GOVEUNMENT.

As showing lu>w the Exhibition :uul the responsibilities of the Government have since outgrown the original proposals it is interesting to note that at tins time it was proposed that tin: maximum of iite State's liability should be j.'-’O.OUP, a very modest which tile colony now stands committed, The lirsl intention was that the Exhibition should be controlled by the people of Oliristehuich, with the aid of a Government subside, but in the end it was ur-

[ ranged, on Air Monro's recommendation, I that the Government should take entire control of tiie financial arrangements, and make the Exhibition as far as possible international in character, its present title being then adopted. The contracts for tho building were let, and the work put in hand in December last. Whilst the work was in progress, in the early part of this year, a considerable portion of the building was destroyed by a strong gale, but the damage was repaired, and tho work pushed forward with additional vigor in order to make up for the lost time. LAYING THE FOUNDATIONbI'ONE.

Tho ceremony of laying she, foundation* slotto ol She building was p-a wruied by mu hit-o Alt Scddofl cn D.ctsiubi-i' iS;ii oi la tit year ia the preaaueo of a large g itnar tag. Spaoobc-j ware delivered by Mr SiJdoa aact cir Joseph Word, .and both too lato and the present rainier had acmetbiog to say regarding Ibo national uhurucitr of the Exhibition and its possibilities ua an educational factor. The foundation-stone, whioh is a block oi bud granite from Tonga Bay, beats mo following inscription : —“ This stone was laid by ths Right Hjn. R. J. Siddou, P.C., LLD., president of tho Now Zealand International Exhibition, Deoembec 18, 1995.”

OBJECTS OF THE FAIR. The objects of the Exhibition, as formulated in tho mind of tho lato Premier, aio worth reealliog. "Is aims,” said Mr StddoD, "in oolleoting and plooing cn view wbat has been done in tho shape of manufactures, products, arts, and education, and I feel sure that that will be to tba advancement of soienoe, commerce, arte, and industries,"

THE SITE. The first cf all exhibitions, that of 1851, known itic-n, and known now, as the Groat Exhibition, headed iha long procession of tnuje time-koepera cf industrial progress. Tee best site that ccuid nave been choeea in Lolcloq for an Exhibition in 1851 was Hyde Park, bus tho position was no> so Well favored as that ssieotad for this last of all exuioitions held 55 years later, in what was then but a little koow-n colony as tho other end of the world. Naiute has done much for Auak'aod, m?,n has dona neatly ali for Christchurch, Ho bus dona his uirnoot With the river, and utilised is for the adornment of his dwelling place, sparing is from industrial pollution, end preserving it as a shing of beauty. Tnere are few cisiea to singularly well favored as Christchurch for tha requirements of a great Exhibition.

MAGNITUDE OP THE BUILDINGS Is may bo interesting hate, whoa rcferliog So tne buildings, to compare the Now Zealand Exhibition wilts *u«» y'i taa Great Exhibition winch oovcrad 901000 square fees and cosa oGiOS.bQO. Too Now Zealand Exhibition covers 14 acres', >«id its ban i iDgb occupy bo tirta of S-10,000 s q'iaro Ler. Is has already cost j>t 80.000, so lisas is uiay be rcadiiy cuderttood by those wbo ate assisted in iboir 'conolusuma by cocaparisOuu ibat tho Exhioiticu at Cuima” cau:oj ia ready wo*toy o> iiio colony, and h, valuable imi ex to its growth and de. velopmeut. Those who wish for rnoro precise (iem’ls m»y be imetoased to learn tbttj title Extnmtiou sa approached by sba mam enlcauo3 beneath a grout dome 1000 | !t bigp, covering a bail 71*6. square. Hare tooma are reserved for the Governor, the Premier (as president of the Exhihi“ lion), and also for the Chief Oommis* sioner (Mr Munro) and his staff. On either hand run she avenues, each 93ft wide, having galleries 20ii wide. To the west of the hall is the main corridor, one oi the most striKiog architectural features of the Exhibition. It is 200 ft long and 62? i wide. Adjoining the main entrance is tbe Canadian court, wish a handsome entrance of its own. The principal feature on the western side of the mam bonding is a spacious corridor 1000f* long, and running the whole length of the building. Thu machinery hall is situated north of the main building, and tuns for 816 ft, facing the river, Is is reported to be the largest bui.diog in the world, spanned by an prehod wooden roof, having a dear spaa of 80*i. Tub conceit ball is not so large as similar halls in other large exhibitions, but it measures 130 ft by 52it, and provides seating accommodation for from 1500 to 1600 people, of whom 1200 will be seated on tbe floor of the hail, and the remainder in the gallery. Toe art gallery ba3 walls of solid brick, with asbestos oeilings. This gallery is really a duster of smaller galleries, and in their oonstruotion the greatest possible oare has been taken to guard against fire.

DECORATIVE SCHEME.

Tho deoovaiims of the walls and ceilings in the main ball are conepioaous for tbo oojd taste displayed. Tbo doorwaya aro ili white, of « claaticral form, and the walla K ro of terra cottu. Tee fii ziis ia groan buff and pnk, with richly ornamented bauds of m ;u ; diug in high relit f. Tea dema is divided into stoiioua, in which ora circular ligr.ts set in whre and gold mouldicgt, The dome ia lighted c.t tho f’.d) by cathedral gi&si windows and by a great lantern, in whio'i is an elcottic corona for night illumination. The m lin corridor ia in terracotta, with arches tioted with o;£(U a color. Tho decorations of tbo Governor's retiring rooms are exceedingly pretty, the prevailing tinta being lilac, gold, gray, and cream, The color schema of the Ministers’ room is polo green and primrcßC. In by far tho greater part of Iha Exhibition, however, no rV'tompt has been made at interior uiccration, apart from tho individual tffjrta of exhibitor?. The rich (iota and pretty graining of the New Zealand woods utilised in tbo building, oven in their rough, unpolished state, bavo a decorative value cf their own, nod Bbould do mush to enlist the attention of visitors, and suggest to them the posh bilitiea of oven the commoner of our timbers for ornamental ns '-veil ns strictly useful purposes. Ono very serious defect in construction hits been the apparent oversight in ifco unit's of sufficient vent-lstion. This is noticeable on days when a Cbtistchurch hot nor-h----wester is blowing. In tire largo corridor, ia which the opening ceremony n to tolio place, Ifco want cf a sufficiency of fresh ait, even with only a dozen people about, is painfully apparent. What ii wilt oo with from IGUO to 2000 people present on the opening day it is difficult to imagine. In order to mitigate matieis, the Bathing CoLnmiUep h.** iaatolied powerful tlcctriO fao9 in different puts if the bonding, and it is esiimsted that they Will ru move all tho vitiated a'r in an nour, working at tho rate of 130,CQ0it of air a minute.

COST OF THE WORK, SPae figures ia regard to the oo&t of Sho

buildings disclose a bill of considerable dimensions. Tho oontrnoS priors for tho I various buildings and aeossorios roproaont a total of £87,792, which, with iuoidoutal extras added, makes a total outlay of about £90,000. Tho original ountrnct prioo for tho main buildings was £25,450, but tbo threo subsequent oxtoiiHious moro than doubled the aioounl, aud tho total expenditure on tho buildings as shown by tho contractors’ tenders is £59.262. The ot'ior imjsoritjns items arc the machinery hs I (£9570) ivnuttri hall (£5287), and art gallery (£1998) Tho contracts lor lighting* ami power supplies run into a total of £9299, li.ii gas lighting oelltmoS aleno bring rrsponsiblo for £9985- The total ox-p-:i!.ii,,wo by tit.. On an. mint in ojtiuecficn with the Exhibition is estimated to roach upwards of £190.009, whilst the amount expended by tbs exhibitors and cji c lesion a res wi’n in It' up a tat *1 outlay of neatly haif-u million sterling. — N.Z, Herald.