INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION COMMISSION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1999, 21 July 1880, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION COMMISSION.

The Commission appointed to report upon the Christchurch Industrial Exhibition met yesterday afternoon in the City Council Chamber, consisting of the following gentlemen :—His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, the Hon. H. B. Gresson, Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.R . Oapt. Colbeok, M.H.8., Mr Ingiis, and Mr Peter Cunningham. Mr Wakefield was voted to the chair. The Chairman introduced proceedings by reading a letter addressed by the Premier to Oapt. Colbeok. The letter referred to wag as follows: — Government Offices, Wellington, July 19th, 1880. Sir, —The attention of the Government has been directed to the interesting collection of articles of Colonial manufacture now being exhibited at Christchurch, and it has been suggested that it is very desirable that full and accurate information respecting such articles should be obtained with a view to publication. The Government, believing that this information would be instructive and valuable, decided to appoint a committee of gentlemen known to take an interest in colonial industries, to examine the exhibits and to report—l. On their quality and the cost at which they are produced, as compared with similar articles imported. 2. The extent to which their production has already taken root in the colony. 3. The amount of employment which each of such manufactures now affords or appears likely to afford, and —4. Any otherfacta or suggestions relating to the exhibits with which ihe committee may think it desirable that the Government and the public should be made acquainted. The following gentlemen have consented to act on this committee : —Mr Justice Gresson, hia Worship the Mayer of Christchurch (Mr Ick), Mr Edward Wakefield, Mr Peter Cunningham, and Mr John Tnglis.andl shall feel much obliged to yon if you will agree to afford to the Government the benefit of your services in a like capacity. I have, Ac., John Hall. The Chairman remarked that possibly he and Captain Colbeok were the worst_ to make any suggestion as to the course which their operations should take, and said that probably hia Worship the Mayor would bo able to place them in communication with Mr Charters and the members of the Exhibition and place before them the information they required. The Mayor said the idea suggested by the chairman had occurred to him, and he had communicated with the secretary of the Exhibition. In fact he believed the committee were at present in attendance if the commission desired to see them. In addition ho would remark upon the necessity of procuring clerical assistance, for which ho presumed the Government contemplated making allowance, . A discussion then ensued as to the duties i of the commission, and how best they could . bo given effect to, reference being made to the necessity of obtaining statistical information. It was ultimately decided to consult [ with the Exhibition committee. t The committee were then introduced, i The Chairman informed the committee of j the appointment of the commission met there

on that occasion, and again road the letter of the Premier, which explained their position. Mr Allan, the president, expressed the gratification it would afford him to place all the information he could before the committee, but unfortunately they had not come prepared with figures. The exhibitors in the Drill Shed would, however, be happy to supply any facts which the committee were not in a position to contribute. Ho (Mr Allan) further stated that a principal object in asking for the appointment of the commission was that some useful information might be placed at the disposal of the Royal Commission on Colonial Industries, so that they might be able to suggest some means for advancing the same. The Chairman said he was very glad to have this opportunity of explaining to the committee of the Exhibition, and also to his Worship the Mayor and all interested in the Christchurch Industrial Exhibition, how it I occurred that ho alone of all the members of the Royal Commission had come down on this commission. The circumstances were these. The Government showedhim (Mr Wakefield) the telegram sent by Mr Charters, asking him what he thought about the matter. Ha replied that he interpreted the telegram to mean that Mr Charters and other gentlemen would like the members of the commission to visit Christchurch on this occasion. But it was found that Mr Stevens (being chairman of the Public Accounts Committee) was engaged every day on public business of the utmost importance, and could not leave, and he had desired Mr Wokefield to be particular in naming this, as the reason ho did not attend the exhibition, and Messrs Bain and Murray, the other members of the commission, had Bills before the House which required their attendance there. Therefore, Mr Hall, the Premier, had asked him (Mr Wakefield) and Oapt. Oolbeok, to act on the commission. With regard to the appointment of the other gentlemen, it was thought, not unwisely, that the fresh blood thus introduced would bo of material service, particularly as the conclusions arrived at with regard to the present exhibition would be embodied in the report of the Royal Commission. That report would of course obtain the widest publication, and therefore it was necessary they should obtain the most complete and accurate information. A conversation then ensued as to the beat course to pursue in order to carry out the wishes of the committee and the duties of the Commission.

Professor Bickerton said there was one thing he thought should be noticed, viz., a class of exhibits representing industries which were as yet absolutely in embryo. He mentioned, for example, terra-cotta ware, a collection of rope made from oolonial-grown flax, and a collection of native woods, some of which latter were really remarkable, and ho heard they were unlimited in quantity for veneering purposes, although they were absolutely being used at present for firewood. After some further discussion of a conversational character,

The Commission resolved to visit the Drillshed and inspect the exhibits for themselves. An adjournment was accordingly made to the Drill-ehed.