MESSRS JOUBERT AND TWO PENX’S EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2426, 14 January 1882, Page 3

MESSRS JOUBERT AND TWO PENX’S EXHIBITION.

A special meeting of the Exhibition committee of the Industrial Association was held last evening, at half-past seven o’clock, in the rooms of the association, for the purpose of meeting Mr Twopeny, of the firm of Joubart and Twopeny, the promoters of the proposed International Exhibition. There were thirtyfive members present, and the chair was occupied by Mr J. P. Jameson, president of the association. Mr Twopeny was present. The President said he bad called the meeting at very short notice because he thought it desirable that they should meet Mr Twopeny without any delay. The Industrial Association might possibly be of service to the promoters in carrying out their Exhibition, but it would be necessary for them to sea that what they did would have a tendency to promote the object for which the association was established. He had much pleasure in introducing Mr Twopeny to the meeting. Mr Twopeny said he would he happy to explain the principles on which these Exhibitions were carried on and managed, and ke felt that they would naturally like to know exactly how the undertaking was begun, how it had progressed, and how it was going to be managed throughout. He felt all the more pleasure at being present, because himself and bis partner recognised that they were under obligations to the members of tho Exhibition committee, and especially to Mr Jameson and Mr Allan. He could assure them that it was with no idea of causing dissension between the members of the Industrial Association that he and Mr Jouhert asked for their help in this undertaking. The position which they had always occupied, and they wonld never attempt to assume otherwise, was purely that of commercial speculators—as some persona had called them in derision. But that was their own point of view. If the Exhibition was likely to be a benefit to the colony, it might be to tho advantage of the people of Christchurch to help to put money into tha pockets of the promoters ; and from that point of view they naturally wished to know all about the Exhibition. He would be excused for first stating who the promoters were, because there had been all kinds of reports on the subject. He was secretary to the South Australian Commission at Paris, Sydney, and Melbourne, and Mr Jouhert occupied a similar position in connection with the New South Wales Commission. After considerable experience gathered in those capacities it seemed to them that the principles on which exhibitions were carried on were not altogether true. When the first Exhibition of 1851 was started the great idea was that it was going to lead to international amity and peace and love amongst all men, bnt as a consequence they had the war of 1856 In the present day an international Exhibition was reduced simply to this: manufacturers wished to make their goods known to the public, and it was a big advertising medium. To the public it was a source of instruction, and to a large extent of amusement; and it was generally acknowledged that Exhibitions increased the commerce of a country in which they were held, and led to the opening up of fresh channels of trade. Going on these principles it seemed to himself and Mr Jouhert that the countries which held Exhibitions paid too dearly for them. They thought that for Melbourne and Sydney to have a loss over their Exhibitions of a quarter of a million apiece was paying too mnch for their whistle; and though they recognised that it was qnite impossible for an Exhibition held by private individuals to be of the same magnitude and importance as when all the resources of a Government were called into requisition to further one, yet from their long experience in managing these matters, and from the fact that most of the exhibitors both in Australia and other countries, who had seen them at other exhibitions, had sufficient confidence in them—actuated by these considerations they felt an Exhibition might be started by private individuals, and be made a financial success. Consequently they started the idea of the Adelaide Exhibition. The grounds of departure which they had to take were in some respects decidedly new, and, of course, met with great opposition. The first of these was the payment for the space. People said, “ Oh, we never paid for space at tha other Exhibitions, why should we pay now?” The reply was, “But you are going on a different basis. Wa are not asking you to pay a heavy rent for space, but only what comes to about one-fifth of tha cost of the building, and we think it is worth yonr while to pay. If it is not you need not come.” The next question was their relation to the exhibitors. Now. he believed it had been asserted in Christchurch that they were commercial travellers—that they had business connections with the exhibitors, and a lot of rubbish of that kind. Ha could not conceive how such a report could have originated, because neither of them had had anything to do with business at all. They started this undertaking, having both been Government officials, and, for his own part, he did not think he ever sold anything in his life except a piece of land. Therefore he hoped that the idea that their relations with exhibitors were in any way connected with the profits af those exhibitors woo’d be pnt a stop to at once. Their relation to all exhibitors was exactly the same. They "ran the show,” so to speak, but whether the exhibitors got good prices or took largo orders or not was no concern of theirs. It would be seen at once that if they once began to do that sort of thing the whole system of fairness and general equity on which an exhibition of this kind should be conducted would he done away with. The next question they had to meet was what he might cell the bazasr question, and as it was one which had been taken up here, he would say a word about it. At the Melbourne Exhibition there was notoriously a good deal of selling and delivering, to such an extent that the jewellers and several other tradesmen in the town got np deputations to the Government protesting against it. They said —what was perfectly true and fair—that foreign exhibitors brought their goods in a man-of-war free of freight, and then sold them without paying any rent, thus undermining the local shopkeepers, who natnrally objected. From the showman point of view, too, there was a great deal objectionable in the bazaar; the public did not like it, and kicked against it. At the same time it had to be recognised that in the case of such countries as Italy, Japan, and most of the continental countries, whose courts ware undoubtedly amongst the most attractive in the Exhibition, it was difficult, if not impossible, to obtain exhibits, unless permission was given to sell. All the beantifnl mosaics, pictures, and statuary, and all the fine French and German manufactures that were exhibited at Melbourne would never have been sent there if the exhibitors had not thought there would he an opportunity of selling them. This difficulty t v e promoters proposed to meet iu the following manner. They did not ask tho Government for a bond on the same conditions as were imposed in Melbourne. They said that all bonded exhibits must be left intact ; tbat all exhibits that were sold must have had the duty paid on them just as if they had been ordinary imports ; and, thirdly, that exhibitors who wished to sell their goods must pay a rent of £2 a week for each stand, which would place them fairly on a level with the ordinary shopkeepers. He wished them to understand this point thoroughly, because many gentlemen had said to him, “ Don’t you feel yourself that this selling of goods is a nuisance, and hurtful to the promotera as well as to tho Exhibition in general?” That he fully recognised, but still it simp'y came to this : That those things which were instructive, and works of art, and such like, which were amongst the best things in the Exhibition, cor’d not be procured unless on condition that they could be sold ; and he thought the tradesman of the town in which the Exhibition was held wonld have no fair reason to g. amble when he found his competitor who exhibited placed on the same footing as himself, and paying a rent equivalent to that which would bo paid for a shop in town, with the further condition that no one was allowed to sell who was not really an exhibitor. That was to say, he mutt bo a manufacturer or the accredited agent of a manufacturer. The next question was with regard to the judging anti tha medals, and this was the more important because Mr Howland had received a letter which pnt matters in a very false light, and which has subjected tho promoters to considerable misconception. Tne gentleman who wrote the letter had some grievance with Mr Jouhert, and perhaps wrote rather angri'y without thinking of his words, as people often did in such cases. The actual facts about the judging and distribution of medals were these: —The first thing that had to lo looked at was that tho medal given should he proportionate tn tho size ol tbe exhibition, and on the same scale as at all previous exhibitions—that a gold medal for instance, gained at Adelaide or at Christchurch should represent an exhibit of tha same value as one gaining a similar prize medal at Sydney or Paris. This necessitated a onsiderablo expenditure for gold medals. Starting on that basis the promoter said to the exhibitors at Adelaide, "It is quite impossible for us, as privato speculators, to give the number of gold mede’a away which are awarded by the juries, hut we have bofore us the choice of one of two things—either to restrict the gold medals to so small a number ns to ts practically useless, or adopt tho plan which was pursued at Moscow, and give every manufacturer who was awarded a gold medal a certificate, and let him obtain the medal itself if ho

chose by paying its actual value. That was no doubt what was referred to by Mr Deely in his letter to Mr Howland. The principle that wonld be adopted in New Zealand would ba exactly the same. In the case of New Zealand exhibits, however, gold medals would be issued without payment. The next point was as to the prospects of the Exhibition, and whether it was going to be a genuine success. Of course, it was difficult to express any opinion on this paint with absolute certainty until the entries closed on the 10th February. Still he could eay for certain that from Great Britain there wouldbe a very large number of exhibits, especially in tho agricultural machinery department and machinery generally; and as the promoters thonght that department was of special importance they were prepared to supply horsa power free ef all charge, so that the working of tho machinery could be shown. With regard to the continental exhibits, the reports received were not quite as good as those from England. It was too early, however, to say anything on the point with certainty. But their last letters from Belgium and Germany stated that the manufacturers there found there was not sufficient time to prepa e thoroughly for the exhibition. France, however, Italy, Japan and America would be represented by very good courts indeed—not ns good perhaps as at Melbourne, but very likely as good as at Sydney, and if net thoroughly representative of all the industries of those countries, at any rate sufficient to give the people an idea of what they produced, and the exhibits sent ont would be things which they conld tend out here for commercial purposes. As regarded the New Zealand portion of the exhibits there seemed to have been, some donbt in Christchurch as to whether the promoters wonld be disposed to grant sufficient space. Well, perhaps they underestimated the extent of the industries of New Zealand, and did net a low sufficient space in the beginning, but be was now prepared to tell them tbat their intention throughout had been to give New Zealand as much apace as it wanted. If the building, which was considerably larger than was at first proposed, was not big enough it wonld b« extended,, and they could thorough y depend on New Zealand getting what space it required. He confessed that be was himself a freetrader, bnt he did not think that the question of free trade and protection arose in connection with the Exhibition at all. Still the promoters recognised, from what he might call the “ sh-wmanV’ point of view, the desirability of getting New Zealand exhibits above all others. At Paris the French Court took up exactly one-half the exhibition, and he wonld be very glad to see the same thing happsn here if it could be doue. They were prepared to offer every advantage in their power to New Zealand exhibitors, who could fully rely upon this : That the promoters bad no further connection with foreign exhibitors than they had with New Zealand ones. With _ regard to judging, that was always a very invidious task, and exhibitors were never satisfied with the awards. The desire of the promoters was to get the thing ont of their hands as far as possible, and they would ask the association, if it was not too mnch to ask, if they would take the management of this matter in their hands entirely. The exhibitors would be able to meet together and choose their * own judges, who would award the medals, and in that way satisfaction wonld be given as nearly aa_ it was possible in such matters. In Adelaide the system they adopted was to allow the exhibitors ta elect their own judges. Each exhibitor elected his judge, and the awards were given by the whole of the judges together. It seemed to him that it would be still better to have an entirely independent body, and if the association would be kind enough to undertake this matter the promoters would he very much obliged. He wonld like to read to the meeting one or two short extracts from the “ South Australian Begister" and the Melbourne “Argus,” independent authorities, which would show some of the objects of the Exhibition better than if he blew his own trumpet. [An extract was read from a leading article in the “ Register,’in which it was stated that the Adelaide Exhibition did not in any way injure the local shopkeepers, and had had the effect of increasing the railway revenue by £6OOO. The extract from the “Argus” eulogised Messrs Jouhert and Twopeny’s management of the Adelaide Exhibition 1 In recognition of the assistance which they were receiving from the Christchurch Industrial Association it was still the intention of the promoters to offer a prise of £SO to the exhibitor who could show that he bad done most to promote the general industrial welfare of New Zealand. He was not going to make any promises that he was not sure of being able to perform. He had every reason to believe the Exhibition would be & great success. The entries from Great Britain and foreign countries were already larger than the whole Adelaide Exhibition would have contained. He hoped he had said enough to convince them that it was to the interests of .New Zealand manufacturers ta exhibit and gam all the advantages they conld from the Exhibition. He would only be too glad if the association wonld appoint a committee ta represent the manufacturers in some way, so that theie interests might always he put before the promoters at the proper time; and while they were not prepared to give New Zealand exhibitors any advantage over foreigners, neither were they prepared to give foreigners any advantage over them. He did not think he could say any more except that he would be glad to answer questions on any points as to which information might be desired. He had omitted one word with reference to the bazaar question. The Customs regulations of the colony prevented exhibitors' from selling goods without paying duty, and the aim of the promoters would he as much as pos» sible to keep down sales. What he might call the bazaar portion of the exhibition would be kept separate, and they would take every means to sea that shopkeepers were not selling and. representing themselves as manufacturers. Mr Howland wished to say that ho took oo unfair means to get any information from M r Deeley. As he was the only business man in Adelaide whom he knew, he wrote to him, thinking ho would give a fair idea of what the people there thought of the Exhibition. He thought the letter gave a fair statement of Mr Deeley's own ideas, and the ideas of (he people generally, a-d therefore he had it printed, as he wonld have done even had it not been so much in accord with his own ideas. He had no antipathy to Messrs Joubart and Twopeny. Everyman had a right to do the best he conld for himself. He did not blame them for holding an Exhibition, but he felt it would be an injury to the place, and therefore he took the part he did.

Mr Twopeny could only say that from the moment he first spoke to Mr Howland, he felt sure, from the way he met him, that ha would say nothing that did not express his real opinion. Ha was pratsful to him for publishing the letter, as it afforded him an opportunity of stating what were the real facta of the case.

Mr B. Allan said they were all very pleased to have had the opportunity of interviewing Mr Twopeny, and no donbt had he appeared upen the scene earlier, some doubts which had arisen wonld sot have existed long. Mr Twopeny would no donbt have ascertained during tbe short time he had been in Christchurch that there was considerable public feeling in reference to this matter outside the manufacturers. Tho whole of Canterbury and a large portion of New Zealand were looking forward to the Exhibition, and they would all admit that Christchurch would be none tho worse for a little wakening up. [Hear, hear.] He thonght Messrs Jouhert and Twopeny wonld find that the Exhibition wonld be an unqualified success. He was very glad to hear Mr Twopeny’s explanation with regard to the selling of exhibits. There was an impression a broad that it wonld ba possible to take a portion of the building and carry on a shop, and he knew certain tradesmen who had contemplated doing so, and exhibiting general stock. He was pleased to find that snch was not tho case—that a draper conld not open a drapery shop in the Exhibition, or a bootmaker open a boot shop—that exhibitors must be the accredited agents of manufacturers.

Mr Twopeny asked if the association would express any opinoa as to whether they would be prepared to undertake the whole management of the judging and awards. Tha President said that was a very important matter, and it wonld be necessary for the association to give it some consideration before deoiling. Mr A. M. Kirk asked if Messrs. Jonhert and Twopeny wonld allow the Christchurch Exhibition committee to superintend the arrangement of the New Zealand Court.

Mr Twopeny said that Mr Mitchell was the agent of the promoters in New Zealand, and would snperintecd the New Zealand Court, but, as far as he wonld permit, the promoters would be realy to place the management of tha Court into the hands cf the committee, reserving to themselves the final decision in ' ll matters. One of the principal reasons of th< ir success in Adelaida and the general satisfaction that was given to the exhibitors and to the public was that tho whole management of the Exhibition was in their two hands. There were of course numerous sub-committees, bnt the final decision in all matters rested with the promoters, and that final decision they wonld not be prepared tn give up in the case of New Zealand. [Hear, hear.] But with regard toarranging the exhibits, if tho Industrial Association would see to that it would ba to tha advantage of the New Zealand exhibitors. The President explained that it was the idea of tha asscciation, if matters could ba satisraetoilly arranged, that sub-committees might be appointed to assist in tha proper arrangement of each department. Mr Webb, as a member of tha Education Board of Canterbury, wished to say that, from an educational point of view, there was every reason to be thankfnl for this movement of~ Messrs Jonhert and Twopeny. It would ba a. great advantage to tho young people, and onis which otherwise they wonld not probably experience for many years—[He ir, hear] because the Government wonld not ha in a financial position to undertake an Exhibition of this kind for soma years. Be knocked about the town a good deal, and speaking outside tho.

tradesman's point of view ho could say that the people a* a whole were very anxious indeed for the Exhibition to take place. Mr 8. Manning asked when it was proposed that the Exhibition should bo opened ? Mr Twopeny, referring to the remarks of Mr "Webb, said there would be about 100 paintings sent out from England and tho Continent, but that number was not sntbcient to form an art gallery. anQ he hoped the people of Christchurch and of Now Zealand generally would assist them in this particular, and loan to tho Exhibition works of art of real merit, of which there must be a great many in the possession of private individuals, and which it would bo a great advantage for tho public to got a sight of. With regard to the opening, that was for tho 15th March. They hoped to be able to get up a cantata for the opening ceremony, and he trusted that his Excellency the Governor and the members of tho Ministry would be kind enough to assist on tho occasion. Th? Commodore had promised to come down, and if proper official application were made tho French Commodore woald be able to bring down his skips from Now Caledonia. Mr Tombs ashed if the site of the Exhibition had been selected. Mr Twopeny said Cranmer square had been chosen. The building would be oblong and exactly the size of the square. Its length would he eleven chains and its breadth four chains. A raised art gallery would extend down the centre four chains in length, and there would be a big dome—as near an imitation of tho Melbourne one as was possiblefor about .£l5O. It was proposed to construct a 20ft verandah all round tho building for the machinery, and to charge 5s a foot frontage. This would bo much cheaper than if the machinery was exhibited in the main building. He had every confidence that tho building could be completed in time. In Adelaide the time occupied was only a fortnight. Tenders would he called for on Monday, and on VV ednesday or Thursday ho would ask them to go round and see the first post put in. Mr Kirk said that Cranmer square being a public reserve, would there be any power to make a charge for admission ? Mr Twopeny believed that legally there was no power. They were exactly in the same position at Adelaide and at Perth, where the B»mi question was raised The promoters said that if any enlightened citizen was anxions to see the exhibition without paying they would take him round and show it him. [Laughter and cheers.] If the tqaare, as seemed to be the ease, was granted unanimously by tho City Council, and in accordance with the wishes of the citizens, the people of Christchurch would not bo likely to be meaner than those of Adelaide and Perth, and because they could legally demand admission, take advantage of that privilege to do a mem act. [Hear, hoar ] The Mayor said tho matter had been brought before the Council, who had unanimously agreed to grant the square for this purpose. Mr Twopeny agreed to indemnify tho Council against any loss in case of an action being brought. B e was quite sure the action of the Council would be endorsed by the citizens in trying to beep the Exhibition within the city for ths benefit of the people of the city. Mr Allan thought it should be thoroughly understood that the reason wby_Cranmer square was to be taken for the Exhibition was because of the two other suitable sites in the city, one -was not available, and the other was in such a shape that it could not be used. It was much better to have the Exhibition at Cranmer square than two or three miles out of town.

The Major said there was some difference of opinion on the point, bnt he hoped that every citizen who took an interest in the progress of this undertaking would support the Council. [Sear, hear ] Mr Twopeny said he had already informed his Worship that if he found there was any strong feeling against Cranmet square being used he •would abandon that site and select some place oat of town rather than that there should be any row or disagreement in the matter. This was th“ point. It the citizens really wished that the Exhibition shon'.d bo held in Iho city,_ they would naturally see that no one tried to gain admission without payment. But if, on the other hand, there was any dissension, and there was likely to _be a lot of people going in and out without paying, of course the promoters would contest the matter. If, however, such a thing was going to arise, they would be great fools to select Crankier square. Mr Hnlbert said it was well known that the sqnare was vested in the Mayor and City Council, for the benefit of the citizens of Christoharchfor recreation purposes, and the view the 'Council unanimously took was that the Exhibition was a recreation. The cit’zens would ■undoubtedly have a right to free admission, bnt ha did not think for a moment that they would attempt to enforce it. Mr Webb said the difficulty would be that it would he establishing a precedent, and in future any oircna comp my might apply for one of the public squares. In answer to Mr Tombs, the Mayor slated that the promoters had agreed to enter into a Bond and do everything that was demanded of them in regard to handing t':e square over in good order. The discussion then terminated, and the meeting adjourned until next Monday evening at half-past seven o’clock.