WEST COAST EXHIBITION

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1924, Page 1

WEST COAST EXHIBITION

THE CHOKING MEETING. SETTLING THE ACCOUNTS. The final meeting in connection with the West Coast Exhibition was held at the County Chambers last evening. There were present: Mr .1. Butler (in the chair), lion 11. E. Michel. Messrs It. Wild. 11. I’erham. T. W. Dull’. C. •). Sellers. A. B. King. W. Wilson. W. E. Richards, W. .lell’ries, K. McGregor. A. Aitken. T. W. Bruee, Dr Teiehelmann. •!. Morgan. B. Benton and D. .1. Evans (lion Secretary). The minutes of the last executive enmmittee meeting were eonfirmed. The meeting then resolved into a meeting of the' West Coast British and Intercolonial Exhibition Association (lueorporated) for the purpose of receiving the balance sheet and winding up the Association. A letter was presented in connection with an account from the Itoyal Orchestra. but tin l action of the Executive was confirmed, no further action to he taken. THE balance sheet.

The balance sheet was then read and presented as follows: The total receipts were £SO2J IDs Sd. The principal items were, sale of space £1>717; season tickets. £l2 1 ; door receipts, £ 1M77: entertainments. L'llo ; sales of beds and bedding £101)0: timber. £,‘tl 1; iron, £77:2; furnishings. Cl SI.

The total exnendit ure was £S(!00 fis (Id. The principal items were, timber tlKil. plumbing. £l.‘tß; iron and fittings COSS- lighting. £112; painting. £1:20: decorations. £110: blankets. £17:1; bedsteads. LT.7.1; sheeting. £AKO; matI rcsses and pillows. £l!!1; entertaiunic'iit expenses, C7DI • printing, £l2M—: wages (including building) .Clot’S; advertising. IM17: carting. £117; railway freights, £'JOK; furnishings, etc. £1:1.1; 1111 i11 s. (.'(>()• commissions and hunk charges. £”01; insurances, £00: ironwork and freights. LP2. The cash to credit at the hank is £ll Bis ltd I £! 7 Ills, still outstanding to eolleet. In eolineelion with the above the Auditor (Mr A. B. King) pointed out that there were some informalities requiring adjustment, and on his suggestion, after discussion, Dr Teieheltnami moved that- the Executive pass all accounts as scheduled on the statement. This v.as seconded by Mr W. Wilson and carried, the Auditor then intimating he would sign the statement.

Mr Duff then moved that Ihe balance sheet as presented, lie adopted. Seconded by Dr Teiehelmann. Air Wild said he wished to eongralulatc every one connected with the Exhibition on the lemiirkulile sucee-s that had been achieved. Il had proved a success from every point ol view. Mr Butler thought the guarantors are to hi- congratulated oil the result. The guarantee had not been a mere matter of form. The promissory notes taken were no scraps of paper, and all realised Ml at the time. They were to he eongrat iliai eil oil I lie success ol the whole scheme. Speaking for the Executive. he said they realised ■ I .hey had a dillicull task, hut it had at all times been a pleasie to work with the gen I lemon associated in the carrying out ol the venture. He could not speak ton' highly of the splendid work of the Secretary (Mr Evans), lie had been a tower of strength. The good results achieved had hern due in a greal measure to the large amount of work lie bad put into the general management. and his great efi'orts had been rewarded by (lie success secured. Him 11. 1,. .Michel supported. The winding-up was very satislnetory. I hey had had dismal periods at. times, hut the work had gone on from success to success. .Much of this was tine to I lie .phanhii uoi L i'l the < hailmail and Secretary. The result ol the Exhibition was a wonderful success lor such a small district, that could not have been equalled by any eommiiiiity of a similar size. He al-o wished to associate Mr .leil’ries in his references.

Mr K. McGregor congratulated the executive on the magnificent way that they had carried out the Exhibition, lie eimgraldialed them i.u the splendid results achieved. lie bad personally been prepared to meet a considerable loss, and this made the "present pnsitimi so much more satisfactory. .Mr Aitken said had they not made themselves a hospitality committee they would have had a substantial profit.’ He paid a special tribute to the work of Mr Evans, with whom he was asseoiated right through the trying times, and he had at all Times done yeoman work that deserved every ciiconium paid. Mr I’erham congratulated the Chairman of the Executive, Chairman ol Committees am! the Secretary on the splendid success ol tlie venture. I hunks to tile will'!; ol the olfiecl'S they had come out on the right side, lie had fully expected to have had to meet at least half of the guarantee he hud

Ml- .Icllries said ill looking hack In the dark days of August, of last year thev would remember it was a toss tip whether they went on or went under. The result hud heel! beyond expcctatinns. Their efforts iii connection with the work had been difficult at times. There had been ilill'erenees of opinion, hut there was nothing serious dining the whole twelve months. Tlie Chairman deserved every praise for the „|.(..,t (net he hud shown throughout the course of their deliberations. The motion was then put and adopted with applause. THE EXECUTIVE THANKED.

Mr limce mi behalf of tin- •'imranlors move)l :i very luartv vole <»i thanks lo the Executive uhn had carried nut. Unit very successful Knlii'ution. They linil nil appreciated the Exhibition very muc h. M r Dull' seconded tin- motion. lie lell sure that the whole ol the ynnranlurs were perfectly satisfied with the splendid work of the Executive. ll was nlousiii'f indeed to know there was a profit on the effort. It had keen one ol' ilie finest advertisements that the di-triet had ever had. II" eoiiorat plated them on ihe liuaneial position. Mr Itiehards endorsed the eoinpliliientary references. The result had keen a pleasure to the Coast and a oreat advertisement lor the district. Mr )li (lrt'i;iir also supported the motion which was ay reed to. TIIK ISAXD I! ECOOXISED. Mr Wihl moved that the cash balance on the halancf! sheet he given as a donation to the Town Hand, and that til,, proceeds that may come in Iroin the assets he handed over to the Most Coast executive of the Dunedin exhibition. Seconded by Air Dull. Air Urine moved an amendment that the balance he given towards the cost of producin'.: the pamphlet “A Ih'lhlav ill Westland." Seconded by Dr leieliclmann. , Air .lelfries thought their first duty was towards the recognition of the services of the local Hand. The Chairman said the chief motive would lie to give an expression of appreciation of the services of the Cam!. The amendment was put ond lost and the motion was declared carried. Mr Itiehards returned thanks oil behalf of the Hand. Mutiny the members would yrontly appreciate the vote CAXCECEIXO THK Cl I ACT kit. Air Jelfries moved that the Inactions of the exhibition havim; terminated, the Secretary apply for the cancellation of the Exhibition Association. Sore..del by lion Michel and carried. Air Aitken moved that the Exlnhiti,m records be stored, with the consent of the County Council in their strong rooms. Seconded by Afr .leftr.es and 'hECOOXITTOX OF SECRETARY. Air Butler said apart from the Association it had been felt that the work of the Secretary should receive some more substantial recognition

Hum hud been given that evening. A li-t |i;iil been taken rntuul to giiarunImi in pieferelicc to a vote being tal-.-i-ii mil ol the loads, with the result I hat lie had been asked to make a presentation. not in any manner as a compensation lor the work done. hut. as an appreeintion of tfie splendid work he had performed, lie asked acceptance of the sum ( CSI2) which he assured Mr Evans hud been freely given, in recognition oi the vciy tine services he had it iriugly given throughout the course of the movement, and which they nil SO deeply appreciated and recognised. (Applause). Mr Evans said lie felt very pleased ond proud indeed at the tangible <*\- pressii good will. He was not sorry that the Exhibition had ended alter 22 months’ work. IK* had alwa\s been of opinion they could make a success of the Exhibition. He was very proud of the way the town had pulled together to make the Exhibition such a success. He had agreed to take up the Seeretal’V-shi|>. hut Intel* the Ireasuieisliiji went begging and he had also tal-eii no that work which had entailed a. considerable amount of extra work. To this connect inn he had the able asMr .1. I’eake and Miss Boss, who gave him very valuable assistance mid with the approval of the donors he would include them in participation ol their "ili of that evening. Mr Evans referred'" to the work of the Exhibition mid the pleasure he had taken in Peking it mi -In a successful conclusion. He hull fell that the success of the closing night of the Exhibition was s'llhciciit sntisfiiction 1 ,,! ’ tin* work (lint lino been done. It was a glorious climax, •mil everyone weal away regretting Hint the Exhibit ion Imd closed down. They had the goodwill anil assistance nf the exhibitors and specially of their friends in Canterbury to whom they were much beholden. He could not thank them adequately for their gen<*roos p.‘i*o(£iiilinn of tlio services ho. hiitl given without any expectation of n monetary reward, lie was grateful In I,their goodwill and good leelmg. DUNEDIN EXHIBITION. Mr .lell'ries then look the nppnrtunitv of referring to the movement being made to adequately represent the Best Const, at the Dunedin Exhibition, anil asked for all expression of opinion ol those present on the movement. The Seeretarv (Mr Evans) bail drawn up a lend hv 'statement for presentation to the" West Coast meeting to he held a Crevninuth on .Tan. '2nd. Ihe West. Coa’sl had great possibilities and he thought- (lint it would he a great mis-t-il-e to allow- the Exhibition to pass without the West, Const being worthily represented. . . AIT- Wild said it appeared to him it would he better if some idea could he obtained as to he procedure to he followed in connection with the proposed display. He suggested the upt.oiiitnii'iit of n man like Mr Andrew M ils.ni to carrv out the proper collodion and disnlav of the exhibits at Dunedin. All- 'Butler outlined the procedure so I'm- in connect ion with the representation of the Const, and he took it that an expression of opinion from this meeting would he ol value. Mr Dull' thought that the local bodies of the West Coast were Public spirited enough to take such action to enable the West Coast to be fittingK' represented. He thought he could speak op behalf of the Westland fount.'' Council doing their share to assist in everv |wissible manner. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.