EXHIBITION AT HOKITIKA

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1923, Page 2

EXHIBITION AT HOKITIKA

THE TOURING DELEGATION. WESTPORT, June IG. The delegation concluded its tour of public meetings in North Westland at a meeting held at the Town llall tonight. There was a. fair attendance of ladies and gentlemen, presided over by Mr J. Menzies, Mayor, who introduced the various speakers. Mr W. J. Butler (President) detailed how the idea of the Exhibition arose, and bow it was being started and organised. Air W. Jeffries spoke of the necessity of all parts of the West Coast joining hands and uniting to advertise the district. and so help to lift it ahead. Mr J. W. Collins on behalf of the Government Department he represented, supplied particulars of the assistance which would be given from the Government side in helping the Exhibition, which would he supported also by the outside provinces. Air AV. H. Parfitt, Mayor oi Greymouth, stated the opportunity was a golden olio for the whole Coast to work in unity and assist in advancing the public interests. Ho detailed different matters on which they might concentrate to assure general prosperity. Air D. J. Evans, General Secretary, gave details of space and charges and spoke of the* success of the northern tour, which with the space being applied for from other provinces, meant success. Tlie British goods display alone would lie a feature as 120 importers were contributing to the exhibit which was being organised by the British Trade Commissi?ner at Wellington.

The Exhibition movement was supported by the Alayor of Westport, the President of the Bitllor Progress League, and other speakers. An enquiry was made in respect to competitions for children’s exhibits, and Air Butler stated a Nelson resident was offering a special prize for That purpose. The meeting cordially supported a suggestion for a passenger boat sorvic«rto the Coast over the period of the Exhibition, and this proposal will lx* snpnorted very generally. The Alayor (Mr Menzies) and Air D. Archer (County Chairman) were appointed vie:* presidents to the Exhibition Council. A committee consisting of the Bullet- Progress League, the members of the Borough and County Councils, and Farmers’ Union (with power to add) was set it]), and will undertake the organisation of a district exhibit and ,itratige for local exhibits also. A” hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman ’dosed The meeting. and ended the mission of the delegates, who leave for their return to Hokitika, early in the morning.

END OF THE TOUR. .Messrs AV. J. Butler. AV. Jeffries and I). J. Evans of the British and Intercolonial Exhibition Council, accompanied by Mr .1. AV. Collins. Secretary of die Department of Industries and Commerce. returned to Hokitika yostordnv afternoon. At Gre.vmoiitli they left Air AV. 11. Pa Hi it (Mayor) who very kindly had accompanied the party throughout the trip. Tile tour extended over six days, during which the party motored miles. Meetings wore held at Roofton, Murchison, Blenheim, Piet on. Nelson and 'Westport, and the delegates returned well satisfied with the result of their mission. Actually it was a publicity tour, to make known the why and the wherefore of the* Exhibition, and secure the establishment of district communities, and so ensure a chain ot exhibits lrotti all parts of the West Coast and the northern provinces.

Air Rutlcr stated to a representative of the Guardian that the tour "as quite worth while, and will do great good in advertising the big events for the dose of the year. He was at pains to explain at all the meetings, that il was not a Hokitika Exhibition, but an Exhibition in which all parts of the Coast should take an interest in advertising their potentialities and bringing before the stream of visitors the resources of the district. 1 he> were very fortunate, be said, ill having the practical co-operation of the Mayor of Grevniouth, as evidence of the unanimity being created, and no doubt Mr Partin's present * did much to help m the idea of complete unity for the whole Coast. This was now assured, and there would he a large general exhibit. Roth in Nelson and Marlborough the idea of linking up was readily seized. Those provinces, realise thev must endeavour to hold the Coast trade thev have. The trade is very considerable and there will he- friendly provincial rivalry to seek to hold the trade in the future. Mr Butler referred. also, to the presence of Mr Collins, which was an earnest t,f the Government support to the Exlnbitio project. In AH Collins they had some ,me whom they could lean upon for adviio and direction on almost any mattor. and. his help would he invaluable from every point of view. Committees have been formed at all centres visited. and there was every reason to believe from the amount of interest and enthusiasm manifested, that the so - oral localities would vie with each othei in supplving a splendid range of ox--I,its aiul ensure a large attendance from the north over the whole period of the Exhibition.