British and Intercolonial Exhibition.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1923, Page 4

British and Intercolonial Exhibition.

EXECUTIVE COUNC'I r. .MEETING. SATURDAY, JUNE Otlt. The Executive Council sat at 7.35 o’clock. Present: —Air AY. J. Butler 'President, in the chair), Hon H. U. Michel, AI.L.C.-., Messrs A. Aitken, \Y. Jeffries, G. Davidson, It. AYild, G. A. Perry and T>. .T. Evans (lion. Secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved. INWAR I) COIMIESPONDENCE. From Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, indicating he would join the northern delegation of the Exhibition Council at Nelson on the 13th inst. and return to Hokitika on the 17th. where .Messrs Schmidt (Christchurch Officer) and Drew (Publicity Officer) would join him and confer with the Council in regard to the general preparations on behalf of the Government.—Received with thanks. From .Mayor of Picton, notifying a meeting had been fixed for !0 a.m. on loth inst to meet the Exhibition Council’s deputation.--Received with thanks. From Afayor of Nelson, suggesting Friday, loth inst. as the most suitable time for the citvtens of Nelson to meet the touring delegation.—Received with thanks. From County Clerk, Westport, offering to co-operate with the local authorities of the Duller district in 10gard to Exhibition matters. —Received with thanks. From Alaynr of Blenheim, with reference to the proposed visit, and asking instructions with regard to advertising vi.-it of delegation.— Reee.vrd, iiilurmalion to he supplied.

From Secretary, Chamber of Commerce. Adelaide. stating public.ly .matter with regard to the Exhibition had. been lirculated among member-, (usd asking ;v,r further literature.—R - Eiom T. W. Woodruile, Christehureh. quoting €ls Ids fur 5, > ! )v> i*upies ni the spate plan.-—Received and authorised. From .1. Shaw, C hrisLehurch, apply ing for space tit Exhihitinn. Revived, to he allocated in the Tun tel avenue. From Gordon and Gulch, Chris.church, enquiring in regard to ad*- >r Using scheme for the Exhibition.—Re eeivetl and reply deferred pending visit id' Government Publicity Officer. IMPORTANT REPORT. Mr W. Jeffries, who returned iv 'illy from Dunedin, gave a lengthv urluil report in regard to information gleaned from the members el the Otago and Southland Mamnf tiia. i d Association in res)wet to Exlid.ulion neuters. Air Jeffries stated at Fi neilin he had been in close conference with .Messrs Burt, Reid, Cttddio, and Hayward who supplied very uselttl information in reference to allocation oi space, adoption of cheap lares, and preparations to meet the influx of visitors iu regard to bedding accommodation. Mr Jeffries -aid the Otago district would require i oiisidcrable ipaee. The manufacturers had a blue print of the space plan and were studying it as to location for their exhibits. It wits realised the business people of that pari of the Dominion would have fo make a hid for the West Coast trade once the district au.l Canterbury were linked by railway, and it was their intention to seme the opportunity of the Exhibition to advertise their goods. It was side to expect that- Otago would require very considerable spare, and it would he ui-e to arrange through Mr Maynard for t!ie disposal of the sp-ice. In regard to railway lares. Air Jetfries wa> impressed tilth the fart that given faetiiities to travel, the people of Otago would travel to the Coast in great numbers, cheap fares and spe- j lial rains Mould bring thousands of people from Otago and Southland, and the intending visitors were anxious Hint stopover privileges should be granted also. (iii the subject of aeeummodation, Air Jeffries said lie had it long talk with the Dunedin folk, who realised themselves that it was an essential tuaiter to have cleared up it- soon us on .table. Their advice was to adopt iHo liosttl system in temporary premises, They had found this work out tcry satisfactorily on former occasions in Dune lit), and would adopt it. extensively for their own Exhibition. .Mr Jeffries was able to obtain from the meeting first hand quotes of beds •ud bedding which would provide clean vul wholesome accommodation. Air Hayward had hud personal experience in tin' matter, ami lie gave Mi Jeffries the assurance that flic comfort if visitors could be well met by. prodding good beds and allowing them .*i obtain their meals .as they wished. I’lic local hotels and restaurants could so arranged with to cater for visifors, ittd if a huge Imr-lel were in charge of i capable matron, with an efficient tuff under her, the public we.ul-.l he tell served indeed. 1 Af.r Jeffries, therefore, came in the ] omT.r-ion that it would he wise to mleuvour to obtain the use oi Vienna SToal and buildings for the cried of the Exhibition and equip it > a hostel for night neoomntodation. he period would ho summer time, but 1 n any ease the building could he 1

heated. The rooms could he occupied with boils rather than beds, and first class bedding provided. 'Hie building eoulrl 1)0 lit l>v electric light find good bath and lavatory accoinmoclaiion provided. It was not intended to supply meals, other than early morning . lea for guest.-. The staff eoulrl be I aceommodated in the technical school, where there were cooking facilities for I a small number. Me had explained this idea to the Dunedin meeting, and they agreed it was an admirable way to overcome the 'difficulty. Personally lie thought accommodation could he supplied for not less than 300 nightly, and that would be a great help, as he gathered the hotelkeepers were making a further move, and would provide for an additional lew hundred each night. Many private houses would lie available also, so that by taking the matter in hand a definite forward move would Ire made which would .assure the success of the Kslubition. The Chairman expressed appreciation to -Mr Jeffries for his valuable report, and in particular for the time and interest taken in the project while in Dunedin. What had been done was helpful, and let in the light on a possible course of action, which was necessary if the Exhibition was to be the outstanding success they all intended it to be. A general discussion took place, and other members spoke in regard to the details. Mr Wild mentioned that the" cost of equipment would lie not less than £1,200, but he realised the buik of this would be recovered by the subsequent sale of the articles after the Exhibition was over. Mr Jeffries said it was possible to buy so well, that he thought the goods could be sold to advantage subsequently, and he believed there would be a ready sale for any plant acquired to Dunedin later on.

Eventually, Mr Wild moved that n meeting of the guarantors be convened for 4 o’clock on Monday afternoon to consider the proposition outlined by Mr Jeffries, and which the Exhibition Executive recommended as assential to the

success of the undertaking-, and that steps be taken to increase the amount of the guarantee to permit of the scheme being assured financially. Air Perry seconded the motion, which was generally supported by those present, and carried. GENERAL. Accounts to the amount of €53 wore passed for payment. It was resolved to apply to the bankers for the necessary overdraft accommodation. It was decided to write and thank .Messrs Burt, Hayward, Reid and C'uddie for information supplied .Mr Jeffries. The meeting concluded at 0.10 p.m.