British and Intercolonial Exhibition at Hokitika.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1923, Page 1

British and Intercolonial Exhibition at Hokitika.

THE PROGRESS OF ARRANGEM ENTS. The Hon 11. L. Michel, who is in Wellington, interviewed the Acting Prime Minister on Tuesday with regard to the presence of members of the Cabinet at tho opening of the Exhibition. Sir Francis Bel! will leave Wellington on tho 13th. December ami arrives in Hokitika on Friday evening. Sir Francis will be staying m the district for a few days. The Hon Downie Stewart, who arrives also on I-riday, will perform the actual opening ceremony at the Exhibition on Saturday, loth. pros, at 2.30 o clock. Sir Heaton Rhodes will he the third Minister ol the Cabinet present at the opening ceremony, and vdi he a speaker also at the public function. The building arrangements are progressing most satisfactorily, and the works are so far advanced now that stalls are being orenod and the work of decoration has been taken in hand. A large quantity of decorative inn(enal has been scoured I rum Canterbury and tho interior of the building is becoming brighloi ami gayer with the many colours of the streamers, lings and shields, which are being placed in position. The installation of the electric light is also almost complete, and at night the interior of the building will be brilliantly lit. Attention is also being paid to the ventilation of the building, and it is hoped to have this in satisfactory order for the opening day.

In connection with the accommodation arrangements, the Ihmls and bedding are now arriving and are being distributed among flic hotels and private houses which have undertaken to accommodate a large number of guests. Over TOO bedding outfits will be distributed by the Accommodation Committee, in addition to which the hotel-keepers are supplementing their accommodation with a large number of additional beds. Tho Accommodation Bureau opened in connect ion with Hie Exhibition is now receiving applied lions for accommodation and these are being placed satisfactorily. A member of the Accommodation Committee remarked yesterday thah till" holel-koopers and the private people were making every effort to cope with the influx of visitors, and it appeared that, the difficulties in regard to accomodation would he substantially reduced by the time the full pressure came.

.Mr and Mrs Phil. Hones, of Christchurch, who will he in '-barge of the catering at the Exhibition, will take charge of the Westward 110 luncheon and tea rooms next week, and have same prepared in good time for the opening of the Exhibition when tho invited guests will he entertained by the President of the Executive Council of the Exhibition. The caterer will also prepare the luncheon to he held on the Monday, when the Ministerial Parly and invited guests will he entertained to mark the opening of the Art lull ’s Pass Tunned and the union of the East and West. A start was made on Monday with the erection of the stands for various exhibits. Benton and Co. have a large hay laid oif. and the agricultural display in the Westland Court is being arranged under the direction of Messrs Dalgliesh and Pilkington. Messrs 'Wilson and Mail:- are arranging tho fenieiv at. the Exhibition, where a fountain is to be installed. A special display is to be made bv the Hokitika (las Co. in the Nelson Avenue, and the stand for this is now in course of erection. In addition to the Gas Company's display of cooking, heating and lighting appliances, '.here will also be demons! rations of cooking throughout tho month of January hi Miss Todhuuter of Christchurch, who has been specially eti-

gaged for that purpose. The stand for the Auckland C'attlecakc Co. is also underway, and other stands arc now being prep.-ireil. while exhibits are commencing to arrive from distant points. Several lady and gentlemen exhibitors arrived this week to prepare their stands. A large number of scenic pictures and works of art will he displayed in I lie main building and scenic lecturer will he given at intervals (luring the period of the Exhibition. Mr Havelock Williams of Timarii. who has a largo number of scenic slides, will arrange lor special displays and these will he given as circumstances permit. The entertainments outlined for the Exhibition period include an opening fail! Oil the -Moiidav night. I7lh. pro.x. and the following evening (third night), the Crevmouth Orchestral Soeirty will visit Hokitika, and the next night the Greymouth Male Choir. H is probable that a special nighl will fie arranged on Christmas Eve lor the children. The Radio Parlor will he installed up—lairs in the Town Hall and eoncerls "will be hoard every even-

ing. [| lias keen decided in call the entertainment hall the “Orphan-- I hea-u-e." During the Christmas week' the Bucket I Troime of Gymnasts of Ohristehiii'iTi will he performing. This will be a distinctive novelty entertainment. for Die Coast. Music for the dancing will be supplied 'h.v the Exhibition Royal Orchestra. of which Mr W ■ Joyce will be Musical Director. On the opening dav of the Exhibition it is proposed to have, in addition to the Hokitika Municipal Band, the attendance also of the Runanga Band. The latter is the champion “If.” grade Jfaml ol' New Zealand. The Railway Department has been asked to arrange suitable train arrangements for the .opening day. and facilities for visitors from north and soul ft to return by late trains at night has keen arranged.