EXHIBITION MEETING.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1923, Page 1

EXHIBITION MEETING.

AT TOWN HAbL. VISITORS FROM CANT KR BURY. substantial guarantee given The Town Hall was well filled last, evening by an interested and icpiesentative gathering of ladies and gentlemen to hear Messrs AY oodroffe and .Tonkin of Christchurch, give particulars iu connection with the proposed exhibition. In the absence of the Mayor (Mr G. A. ferry), the County Chairman (Mr Y\'. Jeffries) was voted to the Chair. The Hon. H. L. Micliol and Messrs \Yoodroffe and .Jenkin of Christchurch Here m, the left of the Chairman. Mr Jeffries said that afternoon they had a very interesting meeting with Messrs Woodrolfe and Jenkin. who had outlined particulars in connection with the proposed exhibition. Tt was resolved that night to cement the whole movement, so that the necessary steps could lie pushed on. The Execuive had given a great deal of time and a groat deal of thought to the proposed movement to hold an exhibition in 1923-21 and lie felt justified in stating that the movement had cverv prospect, of success. As a first stop he thought they should appoint a permanent chairman. He had pleasure in proposing as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the exhibition. Mr William Butler. The Hon. TT. L. Michel seconded the motion and apologised lor the .ihseiui of the Mayor (Mr Perry). The motion was agreed to almost unanimously (a h'dy s voice sounding “Xu", which caused some merriment). Mr Jeffries continued that they would have an opportunity to hear Air AYornlrod'e who had engineered the recent Christchurch Exhibition and Air .Tenkin ('by the way native of Greynumth) and President of the Canterbury Industrial Association, who had both premised to do their utmost to make tlv proposed exhibition a success. The Chairman then introduced Mr Wood ruffe and asked him to address the meeting. Mr Woodrofl’e (who was received with applause), first thanked them for tic. reception given them since ai rival lie had enjoyed every moment and had been pleased !o come and give any information of the proposed exhibition. He had no doubt that the first (bought was. were they justified in talcing mi the proposed exhibition. Ruder the ciflcuinstance-' lie felt they were fully just hied in doing so. ami he had no doubt if they went into the proposal liilv as lu> thought they would, they 5...,n 1,1 l„. a bio to make it a financial

success. I!e Imd ,re pa. red a rough plan i; f the lies! methods of making pioi er housing m cnmniodniioii. Since arrival he had somewhat altered his rough plan that had been exhibited, lie now proposed to take in part ol Tailored Street, having the entrance there, part of Camp Street (leaving a foot war on the south side) the Horticultural and Drill Halls, part ol ihc Bank of New Zealand ground and the Town Hall, the wind" being one conliii in ins- whole. 'I his site lv considered preferable to Lass Squa t', an ideal site. „ v , im: to the lesser expense of buildings

while it was handy lo I'm inilwny station. ami liml a nice garden alongside that vpttld l*o a valuable adjunct. Ono feature of tin 1 exhibit ion was that they must keep the entertainments going as that was one of the main trainees | ( ,v popularising the exhibition. Particulars of the proposed plan were referred to at leiiL'tli. With reward to finance, the space shown would bring in (piile £‘looo. and he saw no doubt about being able to fill if and most of that would come in early. Besides that they would require to raise another C'fiOOO. in admission nnf] other fees, which could he aided by special tours throughout Westland, and other side shows to popularise the undertaking as much as possible. r I hey should make the exhibition an excuse to have the beauty spots of Westland, properly advertised. IN RRIMW TO QPKSTIOXS. Mr Wood rode said he estimated the rest of the buildings at £‘2.000. None of tin* gardens would he included in the building proposals. Ife did not think there was half enough accommodation here for the visitors thni would come to the exhibition. They would have to see the licensed victuallers and then the private residents. Tl that was not enough they would have to arrange hostels to give them sleeping places, and make tin' restaurant in tile exhibition where they would be able to get the best of food. In reply to questions as to the period of the exhibition, Mr Wood ruffe said they were quite justified in running it; fur six weeks. Ihe longei tin' period as long as it was not ever tan monks, the better.

Mr .Tonkin (President- of the Indus- , trial Association ol Canterbury! said , lie had pleasure in lying present. Mhnt j was necessary as enthusiasts "f " j land was to make up their mind at the j outset that the scheme was going to j be a success. There must lie no sine- ' kening in their efforts to ensure -ik--cess from the start to finish. He to- . ferred to the success of the recent exhibition at Christchurch. Tt would he Xew Zealand-made goods that would mostly he shown, and ho could assure them of very substantial support from tile manufacturers of Xew Zealand. In connection with the nece-s.ii> guarantee they must he prepared to do their level host, in ease of an> thing going wrong, such as an epidemic or some untoward happening, otherwise he had no doubt of the success. When Mr Climie had come hack from Hokitika and had stated that it was proposed to hold an exhibition here the Canterbury _ Associated had. stated • they wee pro-' pared to give their utmost assistance to the movement. He knew from conversations that he had had. that the corporations of Otago. Auckland and Wellington were with them and were

willing to assist to their utmost. Reference was made to effort being made Tor the Exhibition in London in 192-1. There was an unlimited amount of minerals at our own doors. They should push ou this exhibition to show what we liad in our midst.

The question of accommodation was one that needed attention but that could be overcome, that is if they were prepared to put their hands to the plough and do their hit. They had to consider the school children. There were 20,000 school children passed through the Canterbury exhibition. It was on the boys mid girls of the present day that lay the work' of making the Westland of the future. They must at once appeal to the Government for railway facilities. There were £.3000 worth of war pictures, that- should he available for this exhibition. They were worth seeing, and should prove a great attraction and add to the financial position. For season tickets he suggested the price !>C 10s fid, 7s fid end os. Thev '•nil verv successful conking competitions held in Christchurch. Tl the', were to get the assistance he had referred to they must get to work at once to give the manufacturers as much tune as possible. He had no doubt that their space would ho utilised to the utmost.

Mr Woodroffe suggested that the name bo altered Imm an international exhibition, to that of a British and International Exhibition. There was no further exhibition in the South Island DR j pop. The gardens would he a great acquisition for various purposes. Bv altering the name of the exhibition tlicy would assure the support of the Dunedin association.

to reference to entertainments, All Wood ruffe recommended them not to touch cinematograph shows. They wauled something with action in it calisthenics, concerted singing and dancing. Tlie entertainment committee must he a strong one. it was the most important one to ensure a success. Thev must go out to make a financial success and all their other objects would lie achieved.

In reply to a question Mr Jenkin said they should be able to get till' amusement tax remitted, by. proving there was to Ik' no individual profit accruing to those taking part in the management .

In reference to the guarantee m ('hri uchurcb they arranged for a guarantee of £IBO9 which was not required at all. He though! that £2090 would lie quite sufficient for them to raise in Hokitika.

Mm;. 11. \ Michel in nils ver to the ( hai'-iuan. said he had no doubt whatever that 1 here would he no difficulty in u,'til'll ' a clause iu the AA'nshing-up Bill to make it legal for local bodies to assist financially, amt the llorollgh Council to close the streets required for building purposes. Ho did nol see why the County Councils and Borough Council should not assist with a substantia! donation. He did not think they would bo able to compel the hanks to give donations, as suggested, but they could approach them lor substantial assistance. Mr Bruce suggested that a home industries section would prove a very interesting and attractive addition. Air woodroffe said they musl get rent for all their space. I hey must not filter away any space Irec, though he lecegin-ed the interesting nature ol a home industries section. Air Woodrollc. questioned as tu the probable attendance from East, Coast estimated that the attendance would number d 0 to (,9.990. A lengthy discussion took (dace on the question of a guarantee, and the best mode of arranging for same, the general opinion favoring a guarantee hind as the easiest and most suitable, with a call up to 2d r, „ lor general expenses. Alt- Wild then proposed that the meeting endorses the Executive s proposal to raise £2003 either by a guarantee or by non-profit limited Inability company as it deems most advisable, Seconded by Mr 8. J. Preston and carried unanimously. A list was then opened and there was a ready response the sum of CloOO being guaranteed in the room. Air Jenkin complimented the meeting on its promptness in meeting the guarantee stating it augured well for the general success. Air AYoodrofie added (hat it was more easily obtained hepe limn it had been in Christchurch. The Chairman then moved a very hearty vote of thanks to ATessrs Woodruffe and Jenkin for their attendance and interest and very valuable information that they had given to the meeting. This was eartied by acclamation. The Chairman gave a reminder of the address in the Comity Chambers next evening (to-night) by Air Jenkin in connection with the Canterbury Indus-' trial Association. and the prospects of the West Coast joining in the movement .

Messrs .Tonkin and Woodroffo biiefiy acknowledged the vote. A vote to the chairman for presiding terminated a very interesting and instructive meeting.