The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4th, 1924. THE GRAND FINALE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4th, 1924. THE GRAND FINALE.

Tin-: Exhibition closed on Saturday night in a grand finale marking in a fitting wav the event itself and the allround success it has been. There was a very large attendance, larger than at the opening day, in fact the attendance at night- was larger than at any time of the period, notwithstanding the holidays and other special gatherings. The avenues were thronged with an interested public. There was a strange air of concern that the last night had arrived, and the formal words of the President at the end of ti:c closing ceremonial: “It is now my duty to declare the Exhibition closed,” sounded to many like a sentence of the Court. The folk were full of regrets that the important event in the history of the town was at an end, and that the time had) come to close down. This feeling was not confined to the visiting public alone. Numerous exhibitors when they had the opportunity

ol expressing their feelings, likewise veited personal regrets that ii was time to move on. The seven weeks occupied by tho Exhibition seem to those most intimately connected »ith the event, to have passed very rapidly. 1L was a tribute to all concerned to find that the running of so great an enteipriso had passed off so .smoothly. The exhibitors evidenced their sutis).action in many nays, and it is some- | tiling material for iho town to liave j achieved the reputation which the visiting exhibitors are giving it. Those eonnected with the Exhibition will carry away with them evidently excellent impressions, and these will add to tho effective advertising of the place elsewhere. This sidelight on the effect of tho Exhibition olfeitls fnrthei proof that the whole undertaking win, worth while, and lias justified it.sell. It was very proper that in the course of the speeches made on Saturday night reference should he made to the support ami encouragement, given from the outside to the big undertaking. That support was splendidly sustained from the outset, and must have had a stimulating effect on the local management. The support was accorded from all quarters. At tile initial stages, the Industrial Association of Canterbury and its oflieers were offering matured advice as to procedure. Then, came the support fnun the industrialists themselves. And all the time there was the encouraging support of the Canterbury newspapers which vied with each other in publicity and propaganda efforts to make the Exhibition more widely known. All along, too, there was the help of various Government Departments, including particularly the Departments of Industries, Commerce and Agriculture. t The extent of the support given covered also other provinces than Canterbury, so that Westland seemed to be favored specially, and for once in a while w::.s in particular regard. The district endeavored to be worthy of that confidence and favors and, it would appear, pleased and satisfied its supporters with the: response made locally. The details of the undertaking naturally iell upon local shoulders. The plans were prepared and put into their hands, and the execution was for the enterprise of those directly located. The work performed has been appreciated very highly on all sides. The Exhibition was on a large scale, and admirably carried out. The credit for that result is due to tho local management. 11l that connection, the whole community shares in the praise accorded. From the outset, when the guarantee fund was created, all through, local support »ias been substantial. There was good local backing—remarkable indeed for a town of tlie population of Hokitika. And the townspeople were justly proud of the venture, and the success attending it. There are hopes that, financially, the undertaking will pail out without any deficiency for the guarantors Lo make good. The guarantee fund stands at over £3,000. The question of profit or loss now turns on the success attending the realisation of the assets which had to he procured in the matter of building mateifal etc., for the great structure erected to house the- exhibits. It can bo left to the good management of the Exhibition Executive to use wise judgment in this matter. These gentlemen wisely directed the affairs to the present successful point, and the washing-up can be left as safely in their hands. - It was fortunate indeed that so many of tlie trading citizens took such a prominent part in the minute management of tilt- big event, for the wise and experienced direction has enabled such marked success to Ik' achieved. The exhibition at Hokitika. 1923-24, will go down into history as a most important event in the history of the whole Coast.