OTAGO’S GREAT EFFORT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1924, Page 2

OTAGO’S GREAT EFFORT

NEXT YEAR’S EXHIBITION. AD V A MING Tll H AIOV EM ENT A public meeting was held at the Town Hall last evening to meet directors of the New- Zealand and South Seas ExhibAion in connection with tinarranging of a suitable representation uf the resources oi the district at Dunedin next year. llis Worship the. Mayor (Mr G. A. Berry) presided and the attendance though small was representative and included some of the fair sex. Air Rc-rry in opening the meeting and introducing Messrs \\. R. Hayward anil A. Barnett, extended a welcome and expressed his pleasure at their visit, stating that their visit meant a further advance following the visit of the former delgatiun some months ago. Mr Hayward, after thanking the Mavor for convening the meeting, said

there were not as many present as he would have liked to have seen, but as

Icing as those present were the right people for the movement the absence nf numbers would not matter, so much. Mr Hayward proceeded to outline the particulars of the exhibition buildings and grounds. Since his last visit the exhibition arrangements had progressed very milch indeed, and now the urea was showing the extent of the ontoiprise. The plan covered (ill ac res and the buildings would cover 121 acres. Mr Hayward stated they bad lieen to Nelson.' but bad weather and slips had prevented their visiting AAestpolt as had been previously arranged. At 11-oef-ton they bail a very excellent meeting wlu-n be placed before the meeting tho suggestion made at the last meeting at Hokitika, that the executive of tiio Hokitika Exhibition Committee should be revived with the purpose of making a mm prelieiisivc exhibit in the shape of a Court for the four Counties of the' West Coast. This suggestion met with the- approval of the meeting and a strong committee was set up there to carry out the proposal and co-operate. Dealing with the general arrangements being made Jl was pointed out that

they looked to have a very large influx of oversea visitors, and they were making every effort to attract people to New Zealand. They were hopeful of having a very good representative displav of the products of the various provincial districts and ho gathered that these would prove very successful. He had been advised by tbe Dunedin executive that the British Government had cabled for 28.00!) feet of space. This was highly satisfactory, and assured there being a representative display of British Industrie*, and would mean a very special display that had never before been made in New Zealand. Iho Japanese.- Government bad made an application for substantial space and bad also asked for a special area for a Japanese tea-house. There had been made initial difficulties, but these hail been gradually overcome, and now tlu* success of tile exhibition w-as assured. Tbe New Zealand Government bad made a grant of L’Bo.OOi). while tbe various Departments were to make very substantial and attractive exhibits. There would lie seventeen of these departmental exhibits, so that these alone would form a very substantial presentation, lie emphasised the

value of an exposition of the resources of the district at the exhibition where a very large* attendance of oversea visitors was already assured, and asked for every possible support being accorded them. Air A. Barnett said his colleague I--A referred to many nhases of tbe exhibition. and be would refer to another aspect that would lie of interest to old and young. Included Li the area ol fit) acres, a large portion would be devoted to a large stadium, an art gallery, which would contain some of the very finest works of art that the world held and would prove a great feature on its in. The festival hall would seat 25011, with many very fine entertainments nightly. Those programmes would include during the sr>: mouths tbe exhibition would be open, they would have the finest concert artists that were procurable from all parts of tbe world. The amusement part covered 11 acres, and it- was estimated that it would cost £o.-,.(in:) to provide stunts and thrills that would amuse and interest visitors. Must ol the annual conferences will be held (bat year in Dunedin. Special arca o'-.""" 'il - were being made lor the aeeoinmodal ion ol visitors and I hose v.onhl provide amplv for the large number of visitors that were going to Dunedin. Thousands of beds were being provided, and the private residents were offering very whole-hearted-ly their support and assistance. A special effort "as being made to bring out one of tbe finest Bands in the world and lie mentioned that the estimated cost of this alone was £18,00(1. Many other matters were alluded to in .-oulii-c-1 ion with tl— enterprise and whole-hearted support was invited, with a request to arrange well in advance- for the holiday visit next year to lie fixed for Dunedin.

Mr W. .1. Butler said the people of this district remembered the very active support received from Otago ill connection with their exhibition at the lsithe year, which had given it a great uplift. Ife was glail to hoar the remarks of the speakers and felt sure they were fit to cope with anything that now came along, lie assured them that tho people of the district would make a big endeavour to assist the movement and also assist in advancing their own district at the same time, hv getting together a distinctive exhibit, and they would find that West Coasters when the time came would \\ hole-henrledly visit their city, lie extended best wishes for a successful exhibition.

Mr I). .1. Evans said at the last meeting they had done what was necessary to set matters in train. Tt was proposed to hold a mooting at an early date and then to formulate a general scheme for a W est Coast Court. Iho northern portion of the district would have to assist materially and there was no doubt they would do their share. Their visitors could rely on a West Coast exodus to the exhibition, and in this in 11 licet it in he suggested the arranging of special through trains to Dunedin at stated intervals, lie suggested that a meeting lie held next week and they cotlld then arrange to co-operate with the northern ponion of

the di-tricl. Mr W. Jeffries in support of the previous speakers suggested the holding of a Conference in Greyiiuuith at an early date to set up an executive to carry on the work of arranging for a West Coast Court, and then they could dulinitvh finalise the West Coast cooperation. In connection with a through train he pointed out that by i, ui e.dii.' further than I’ollostoil .IHiicliou mi the way to Dulled;;,i some ;u; udl,., would he cut oil' the journey, lie moved a very hearty vote of thanks in tlu.* visiors. This was tarried by acclamation. •pin. Mmor in wishing tin* movement slice*:-s -al I that tin* exhibition had their wry Best wishes and they would gi\f the movement every possible assistance. Mi A. Barnett thanked those present f u their att**l.dance ami attention anil their vote so heartily carried. '1 la* meeting then terminated.