HOKITIKA EXHIBITION..

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1922, Page 3

HOKITIKA EXHIBITION..

CONFERENCE IN CHRISTCHURCH (By Telegraph,— Special to Guardian.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept 22. The Conference between the Hokitika Exhibtion Committee of Canterbury Progress League and .Messrs Evans and Wild of Hokitika, was held yesterday afternoon. Air H. J. Alnrrinor was voted to the chair. There wer present Alussrs S. AT. Hall, W. .1. .lenkiii. A. G. Henderson, T. \V. Woodrolfc, L. Schmitt and P. 1!. Cliinic (Organiser for League). Ai, Clime said Air Evans was pm-sent at rej>re.-ei • ing the Hokitika Committee of the League to discuss preliminary aranigi meals and give some account of the scope of the proposed Exhihitin. The Executive of the League bad endorsed the proposal and the executive of Canterbury Industrial Association had promised its support. At tlio present stage, it was not possible to say what, support would be accorded by th. Nit.v Zealand Industrial Association.

Mr Evans expressed the thanks ol those cm the West Coast interested in tiu> project for the interest shown in it by these present. The matter was n very important one to the bos' Co ist. It was many years since there was an exhihiton of any pretensions m that part of tln> Dominion. It was thought that the anniversary of tlm founding of Westland in l!)24 and the fact that the same year would mark the completion of the East and West Coast railway, would prove a fitting occasion for an exhibition nil the Coast. They had great expectations in connection with the railway and an exhibition would give them the opportimitv to display the rceomoes of tin" West Coast. The scope of the exhibition would depend largely on the: measure of support from outside exhibitors. ■ There was not a great number cf industries on the Coast. Those were mostly eoniio'toil with primary products and natural resources, and these would provide an attractive court. He was glad to learn that the project was going to have the support of Canterbury Industrial Association. As to exhibition buildings, there were two or three that could he utilised if sufficient snoport were forthcoming. It was possible a special building would he erected on Cass Square. Mr Wild and he were present In ascertain how far they could rely on the support ol the Industrial Corporation. As to the Alnnager or Director of the Exhibition tin/ I'rogress League had inlorncd them that Mr Climie's services would not he fully available, and they wnud lie glad of suggeitions as to a Miitnhe persefti to take up the posiloin. As to Government support, the preliminary work had bren done b.v lion 11. I. .Michel, who had discussed the mal t"r with the Minister of Railways. .Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. The Ministers had indicated they would he prepared to assist as tliev always had done in connection with the exhibitions. They could, He thought, look forward to a reasonable amount, of assistance from the- Doveriiment. The people in the district were taking up tlui matter fairly well, and a sub-committee of the Local Bodies Conference* had been set up to deal with exhibition prospects. As to hnanee. tile townspeople would subscribe to tlio oujil-untce. ClO ditl not floll'ot. It, had been also suggested that the exhibition might he run on lines of a united liability company. No actual canvass had been made, hid eight or ten leading men who were ill a position to know Ihe feeling ol the community had shown a keen interest in tlm project.

Replying I" Mr Woodruff. Mr Evans'said that tlm idea was to eonline the Exhibition to New Zealand Industries. , Mr Wciodroffe said lie thought lh.it this was going to make things hard for the promoters. Air .Tonkin said lie was not in a position to say anything definite' at present as to the proposed Exhibition being taken up as a Dominion one. As far as Canterbury was eonoorned they could ri'lv on them to a man to support the project. Tilings were so interwoven that they felt it their dutv to assist.

The Chairman: Do you mean *ou will give the whole support of the Association? Mr .Tonkin —Acs. As far as the rest of N.Z. is concerned it is a difficult matter for me to say. whether we can offer any assistance at all. In further remarks Air Jenkin said that the meeting of the Executive of tlie New Zealand Industrial Corporation would bo Hold during Ihe cur-

rency of till? Dominion Industrial Ex hibiticn and he would bring up the mattiir then. He would use his best endeavours to try and persuade Auckland or Dunedin to give way in the interests of the West Coast.

In reply to Air Evans hei said he would discuss with Air A\ .R. Hayward (Organiser for the Dunedin Industrial Exhibtion), tlie question "i taking Up a ' similar position in connection with Hokitika Exhibition. The. Chairman said Mr Climie woo d be available to assist with the preliminary- arrangements. Air Woodrnffe, in reply to Mr Evans, said lie would be glad to give Hokitika Exhibition authorities Ills ideas regarding space. They could calculate 23,000 feet of space available for exhibits would represent £4,000. He thought that they would have sonicdifficulty in getting a big Exhibition, if they limited it to New Zealand goods. Air .Tonkin remarked that if the Exhibition yvas controlled by the Industrial Corporation, it would have to be a Dominion one.

Air Hall said that if the Exhibition was made a mixed one, the promoters might not bo able to rely on the wholehearted support of the Industrial Corporation. The Chairman said the Progress League was behind the project, and would assist as much as it could. Air Jenkin suggested that a Christchurch committee should set up. Air Climie remarked that the League’s committee could he the nucleus of such a committee.

Replying to Air Jenkin. Mr Evans said it was suggested that the Exhibi tion should open just before Christmas 1022, and should remain open for six or eight wc-ks. A meeting of the sub-committee was to be held next Wednesday and lie would advise Air Jenkin more definitely on these matters.

Several matters of detail were discussed full v.

Mr Schmitt replying to ATr Climie, said the Department of Industries and Commerce would be glad to assist as far as possible. Mr Woodroffe strongly advised that ii would he more economical to utilise the existing buildings than to erect special buildings. Mr Evans thanked the Committee for tlieir offers of support and assistance and the Conference closed.