THE EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1923, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

VERY FAVORABLE PROSPECTS,

The delegation which went to Canterbury this week, returned impressed with the feeding that the prospects to the all round success of tho Ex hibition over the Christmas and New Year holidays, are very favorable indeed. This applies to the question of the sale of space and tho dimensions of tho attendance. Regarding the sale of space, the prospectus has now been distributed throughout tho Dominion. Every member of the Industrial Associations from Auckland to Southland has icceived a copy, and in addition copies have been sent to every exhibitor at tile late Christchurch Exhibition. The members of the Canterbury Industrial Association are likely to take a special interest in the Exhibition and may lie expected to exhibit in force, ’they will do so with the prospect of establishing immediate business connections with tlie Coast. They recognise that other parts of New Zealand have been securing the bulk of the West Const trade, but now that- the Cost is part of the South Island railway system, nnd Christchurch is the eastern terminus of the Midland Railway their city and its business people should be so placed as to be able to do the bulk of the business with the Coast.

Otago manufacturers have recollections of the shipping trade which once existed with the Coast, and now that t!ie railway has supplanted shipping to a great extent for many commodities, they, too, will not be prepared to retire without a legitimate attempt to hold the West Coast trade. Wellington, also, is similarly placed, and will strive to bold the Coast trade to the fullest extent possible. The three Provinces referred to thus will be in active competition, and the Exhibition will bo a not unsuitable arena in which to carry through their commercial com-

petition. As to visitors, East Coasters are sure to flock to the Coast over the period of the Exhibition. The event is very widely known now, and folk are preparing their plans in advance for a lriondlv descent upon the Coast. In every part of New Zealand there is at least a sprinkling of Coasters. These are in the main all going to make a visit to their old haunts, first to enjoy a railway trip right through to tho Coast, nnd second, to meet all and sundry at tho Exhibition. The influx of visitors over the whole peiiod of tlu* Exhibition will thus be very considerable.

The Exhibition Council and the various Committees are now busy organising for the great show. Mr T. W. Woodrofle, the architect, will lie forwarding the detailed plans next week, and the supplies of material will be gone into at once. There is every likelihood of generous help from tho Government with regard to special and distinctive exhibits, so that the whole display will be of a varied character, and most attractive to the general pub-

Applications for exhibition space close on Saturday. October 20th.