THE EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1925, Page 4

THE EXHIBITION.

SOME INTERESTING PARTICULARS

DUNEDIN, Nov. 16. That ephemeral city of pageants which has arisen on the northern shore of the upper waters of Otago harbour, housing the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition of 192520. to give it its official title, will throw open its gates to the world to-morrow. The promoters had hoped that, unlike the majority of such enterprises, it would have been completely ready by the date set for the inaugural ceremonies. Though those responsible for the erection of the main buildings and preparation of the grounds have done their part well, the tide of circumstance liiis been too much for many of those entrusted with the arrangement, of the various courts. One of the chief setbacks lias been tbo series of industrial troubles, especially in transport services, which at a 'crucial moment seriously delayed the delivery ol exhibits from oversea. In spite of this, goof displays already have been prepared by those win) took time by the foic\ook, while others, if incomplete now. bid fair to tie in full leather in a very little while. Indeed, it is likely the delay may be a bessing in disguise, as the finished product may. as the result of more leisurely work, he hotter than originally planned. The Exhibition is unlike most ventures of its kind. Tt does not mark any special event in history, hut is the outcome of ideas gathered by Otago men returning from travels abroad that this eitv and province, and through them the whole Dominion, needed something in the nature of boosting. The ideas became concrete proposals, which were taken up wholeheartedly kv the ojltzeiiß of Dunedin, and an Exhibition Company was fortneu to carry the enterprises through under the chairmanship „f Mr J. Sutherland Ross. This was early in 1923. To-day we sec the almost perfected fruit of that enterprise. It remeseiits a direct outlay of £109.099,

which lias produced an exposition amazing in its scope and tno detail ol its representation of the tilings included in that scope, which is practically world-wide. It is certainly more than Empire-wide, though naturally the Empire plays a vastly preponderating part in the finished wonder show. Most of the other districts in New Zealand have taken a share in the promot inn of this enterprise, though the North Island seems to have been rather backward in its realisation ol the Exhibition's importance. Canada will, perhaps, take pride of place in visitors’ eves hv its wonderfully attractive dtsp'lay, but the British Government Court ami the Hall of Empire present a .remarkably complete history ol the Empire’s history, development and potentialities. while the Australian Court, though incomplete will prove one ol the most attractive. Never before in the history <4 such undertakings in the southern hemisphere has so vast a scheme been carried through with such consummate success. The beauty of the various courts and of the grounds about them will strike the visitor as something altogether unexpected in this lar southern land. The gorgeousness of the exotic colour schemes in parts of the show will surprise many. The whole Exhibition, as viewed from outside, has been so designed as to produce a simple yet graceful picture. the delicate tones of the colour scheme being very pleasing to the eye.. The architect, Mr E. Anseomhc, of Dunedin, "'as responsible for this by utilising, grey brown colouring on the outer walls of patent material, producing the appearance at a distance of stone picked out with darker markings. He has steered clear of what lias become tbi' hackneyed ‘'"White f ity idea, and the sheer simplicity of the artistic beauty of the finished buildings i- the. first tiling to strike a visitor. The Exhibition stands on ground reclaimed front a shallow arm of the harbour, formerly known as Lake Logan, \\ liich at low water was most!.)' mud flats, inhabited by gulls seeking precarious meals from the flotsam and jetsam left by the retelling tide, 'ibis has been tilled in with sand dredged from the harbour bottom, providing an area of sixty-five acres of ground, which, when the Exhibition closes six months hence, will he a valuable addition to the < ity assets. There are seven large buildings, the fleer space of which is measured in lores, mill a central often space 'ailed the (Band Court. 300yds long and half that width, stretching from the main entrance gales (which form a handsome tripartite structure surmounted hv pagodas) to a handsome dome. a festival hall, wherein over 2500 people may he seated fur the various musical leasts prepared for the currency ol the

Exhibition. Entering the main gales already mentioned, the visitor has 1.0-forc forc him the vista ol the Craml Court, 1 beyond that the majestic domed Festival Hail, with its pipe organ and spacious auditorium, that will ho the centre of attraction for music-lovers. On the visitor’s right hand will he seen a large building. housing the Hall of Empire. British (oivernmeni and Industrial Courts. Behind this are two more buildings, containing the Machinery and Provincial Courts. On thu beholders immediate left is a pavilion containing the administrative quarters and Canadian and Australian courts. Eurlhcr to the Ictt is tile gre lest building of all. about lour and a half acres in extent, and here will ho found the most ambitious show ever attempted south of ilie* line. This pavilion also houses a wonderful series of displays pul in by the Education Department, including the work ol school children from schools largo and small in all parts of the Dominion. Behind this is the New Zealand Pavilion, and another large building devoted to industrial courts. Beside the New Zealand pavilion is a space which will he especially interesting to rural visitors. This is devoted to experimental plots, conducted by the Department of Agriculture, showing the results of scientific treatment of soils for different forms of crops ami grasses, etc. Near the Festival Hall is the Art Gallery, a permanent brick structure, which contains very valuable collections of pictures and objects ot art from many parts of the Empire, ineluding many of the most prized pictures I lent from English collections. Round about the rear of the buildings are grouped a, great vuriey ot amusement attractions. Flanking the Amusement Zone is the Rnmes Area ot twenty-live acres, where all sort of athletic sports will he staged during Lite course ot the Exhibition, as well as demonstrations such as tlu* New Zeaand championship contests, fire brigades’ tests, and other functions of a peripatetic character. For such as these all roads this yesu lead to Dunedin and its great Exhibi- , f ion. Of course, enterprises such as this owe much of their success io mail - inventiveness and his discoveries in tit* realm of science, and electricity plats the greatest part in producing mechanical effects. In electricity the "hole Exhibition i- indebted for the wonderful picture it presents at night, "hen the whole seem* i.- a veritable one from wonderland. The invention of electric apparatus has made 'long strides since j the last of previous exhibitions in New , Zealand, and new methods of illumination arc bevoud Indict until seen hi an\ who have not been fortunate enough to visit big expositions at Home or in America during the past decade. I-load lights send a soft effulgence over the building*-, while the entrance gates, pagodas, and dome of the Festival Hall are lined in a wealth of wonderfully blended colours, scintillating amidst the solierer lights round about.

PROVINCIAL DISPLAYS. NORTH ISLAND BACKWARD. DUNEDIN. Nov. 16. •While the Dominion’s national progress is tvpitied in the splendid interior of the Now Zealand Government’s pavilion an effective display is made l»y the respective provinces in

the provincial courts. The display is in the nature of analysis of the origin of the country’s resources, and among the organisers the keenest competition exists in design and arrangement of

the courts. Each staff has l>cen restricted according to the grants allotted to it, but enterprise lias had fruitfid results in the majority of cases. Various influences have told against the progress of the North Island courts. Representation was secured by the provinces of Auckland, Taranaki and Wellington, and though elalwrato foundations have been laid in the Auckland and Wellington courts beyond that signs of progress are scant. The courts will certainly he behind not only the South Island courts, but also those of Australia and Canada, in that they arc not in readiness for inspection this week. '1 bus the other courts witli thoir competitive displays have a lend over the northern provinces that makes any laxit\ that may have contributed to the situation regrettable from the viewpoint of the North Island. . 'Wlmt progress lias been made indicates. however, that if belated the Auckland and Wellington courts will he numbered among the ornate teaturos of the Exhibition. Scenes that have been painted in the Wellington court are outstandingly good. A careful and interesting selection of subjects has been made, and they include panoramic views both of the laigei towns of the province and of typical scenes in the interior. A number ol line stags’ heads lias arrived, presumably to advertise the attractions of the Tongariro National Park. Scenes in tlie Auckland court as far as thev have gone, deal with the tourist >esurts of Auckland province. The interior of the court closely reseinh.es that of the British court ill its scheme of imitation concrete pillars. 'I hoy add to the dignity of the spacious area, and will prove an admirable setting for the province’s exhibits—when they arrive. THE OPENING CEREMONY.

nv TfXMGHAITI PIIT-SS ASSN., JOFVMOTJT DUNEDIN, November 17. Dunedin breathed freely to-night for the great day—the red-letter day uiaihHi..* an ininortaiit milestone along the Dominion's highway ol history ha.*, conic and gone, leaving in its train pleasant memories of a great, task begun, continued and brought to a successful issue. Ihe weather was line though a southerly breeze was ratlici unpleasant during the morning. It persisted in the afternoon, but this, perhaps, was forimato, as the sun was heating down with great fervour, and the breeze tended to muddy this. It hud one had finality, however. It prevented niaiiv people from hearing the speeches at the actual opening cere-

mony. although the speakers were aided I>v amplifiers, which directed their voices to the distant portions of the huge crowd. This was an innovation at s.i'-h gatherings in New /calami. The aiiioliliers also carried the voices of tin- speakers to a wireless station in the exhibition area, whence it was broadcasted throughout the Dominion, and was hoard distinctly in many places. Before noon a great trek set in from the city, eastward to the new Wonder ( itv in the ampithcntro. where once the mucky waters and mud Hats of Lake l.ogali stood, within an arm of encircling hills. All the lorenoon. final rush cHorls were going on to get things shipshape, and when the gates: opened at noon, the Exhibition presented a smiling face, gaily beriblii.ucd and la (lagged, for all the world liUo a young girl ready to flutter forth for the first time into the pleasures of t! > world. Huge crowds gathered and laid seige -o that an entrance was not easily effected liv those who delayed until alter the lunch hour. A little after mo o'clock, the Governor-Gen-eral left the Vice-Regal residence in London .Street. The Twelfth Field Battery ol the N.Z. Artillery, station- ' cd in one corner of the Exhibition Park, tired a general salute of nineteen guns. Entering by the west gate I his Excellent y proceeded through the avenue traversing the Amusement Area to the sports buildings, where the dais sled, opposite tue snorts grandstand which \tas packed hv thousands of people. while all the foreground was a dense mass of people. The route of the Goreror’s progress was lined by Territorials and Cadets, while a guard of honour was furnished by a detach-

ment from 11.A1.5. “Dunedin,” and the Twelfth Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment. His Excellency was received at the entrance by Mr J. Sutherland Ross, President of the Exhibition anti the members of the Board of Directors. His Excellency was in the uniform of the Grenadier Guards, and was accompanied by iiis aide-de-camp and Colonel Young, Commandant of the Southern Command. He inspected the guard of honour, and then mounted the dais, where there were gathered the Mayor of Dunedin, thf Prime Minister, the Hon G. •). Anderson, Sir Joseph Ward, and leading local figures, besides the principals of the Exhibition Company. While these movements were in progress an aeroplane droned its circuitous way about in the upper air, its French grey fusilage playing hide and seek with the sun behind a few low-lying wisps of clouds. As his Excellency mounted the tlais, the New Zealand Ensign was broken out. and the Cadet Bugle Band sounded a general’s salute. march past of the guard of honour and territorials followed, his Excellency taking the salute at the heads of tile steps to the front of the dais, the Argyll and Sutherland Band playing appropriate f|iticksleps. • THE CEREMONY. Alter the Exhibition Choir had led the singing of “God Defend Now Zealand,” His Lordship, the Bishop of Dunedin (fit. Rev. J. Richards;) engaged in prayer, expressing thankfulness fur the mercies received through Providence in the past, and for the opportunities that had enabled the people to achieve this day’s wonderful step forward, under God’s guidance, in the march of progress and Christian civilisation. A reading ol Scripture followed. Rev. E. N. Mornington (of First Church) reciting the Sixty Seventh Psalm. It is notable that the Bible wherefrom he read was one brought out by Hie I!*"-'. Thomas Burns who came with the pioneers in the ship Philip l.aing, which, with the John WycMitr, brought the first settlers to Otago in 1848. “The Old Hundredth” was then sung bv the assenv | Mage, led hv (lie Exhibition Choir, and accompanied by the Argvlls’ Band. I Then came the speeches of Mr Sutherland Boss and the Governor-General. As II is Excellency concluded with the declaration that the Exhibition was open, the Argvlls’ Band sounded a fanfare of trumpets.

The Exhibition architect Mr E. A used ml:o, presented a gold key to the Governor-General and an inkstand and pen to Lady Alice Ferguson. The Argvlls’ Baud then played selections, including the poetic march “ Ihe I an-H-.ed Army ” (They never die;, composed by tin' conductor of the Band Mr Pickett. and dedicated to Lord Kitchener and “The First Hundred Thousand." This was followed hv a beautiful Scotch suite by combined pipes and Band including (a) the retreat: march “ Forosay Castle”; (b) the lament “Thou Hast Left Mu Ever Jamie ” ; and (e) the ballad “The Road to the Isles.” These items held the huge audience spellbound throughout, ami evoked a remarkable outburst of applause. The speeches of Mr Coates and Mr Titpley followed and the National Anthem, played by the Argvlls’ Band, brought the formal opening ceremony to an end.