THE CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1778, 13 June 1882, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION.

" Have you seen ihe Exhibition ]"— Tin's is almost invariably the first question put to a vi-itor to Christchurch, whether it he by a friend or V>y a stranger with whom your lot may be cast or whom you may in the course of circumstances meet or he introduced to in the " city of the plains." And if yott reply in tlvartirntHtive, then follows "Well what do you think of it?" « What is your opinion of it?" "Does it come up to' ynrtv expectations V And certainly the last question, frequently put, implies a little want of satisfaction in the mind (if the But it is not tt> those- vrho hive seen this «>eat " International''' Exhibition, as Tt iscalled, that I propose to answer these questions; similar inquiries were of almost daily occurrence on my return, and therefore I propo-e to answer them by giving as correct a picture oE what I have seen as my pen and spaca will allow me, ChiTstdinrch was decidedly the best place in Ne.w Z«wl«rwl t!w spirited pi>otnoters of this International Exhibition,. Messrs Jonbert and Twopeny, could have selected as a si'e. Auckland or Wellington could only be reached by the bulk of the population by H Sfta voyage, whilst Dwnedin would? *bs anothet day's journey for persons entnin« irotM. the: Nonk. Islwikl ov b| w \Vca-4

Coast of this island. Then, again, Hagley Park possessed ample and com venient space, besides being close to the city. This park, with the Domain, is considerably larger than the city proper of ChrLstcl.urch, which is exactly a •square mile. It was originally purchased by a number of English gentlemen, Well-wishers cf the Canterbury Settlement, was given by them to the poople of Canterbury, and is now under the control of the Public Domains Board, incorporated by an Act of the 1 General Assembly, and which Board is empowered to make laws for the protection and management of both Paik and Government Domain. The Park which is more than 400 acres in extent' is surrounded by a broad public road on three sides and on the other side, by the river Avon, which also flows through the city. It is surrounded on all sides by large and thriving plantations d£ varieus English forest trees, each as oak, ash, birch, beech, elm, sycamore, &c, all in the most perfect health, and showing a vigor of growth unknown in their native country. The Botanic Garden (with its 3600 varieties of trees and plants), a pmtion of which has been set apart for the use of the Acclimatisation Society, an aviary, the Mrj* seum, the Hospital, and the principal cricket grounds are all. like the Exhibition, within the! Domain and Parkj though, unfortunately, the Park has been out into two by a road known aa the Riccarton Road. Broad avenues of trees of various kinds have been planted round and through the Park, contain, [ilited to form carriage drives under these trees, which when finished will be several miles long. Such is the vicinity of the level ground whereon and adjacent to which is the Exhibition* The Exhibition is not a very imposing structure, save in the area ir occupies, It is a quadrangle, the' main building being 6GBft. in length, by 282 ft. in breadth. The main transept from entrance to fernery is 334 ft. long by 96ft. wide, including tbe cloak rooms, offices, telegraphic and telephonic, postal arid money order a,ud Customs offices. Above these are the offices for the representatatives of the press, and the judges of the various departments. The l main entrance fronting the Lincoln road is 46ft. high from sill to top -of" transept, the walls being 26ft. in heighfe The avenues which are apportioned" to Canterbury, South! md, Otago, Australia, Ame-ici, and Europe are 20fc. irt height from floor to ridge, the waits being 12ft. The avenues are divided into three sections of 15ft. each, viz., the range of bays on each side and the passage way. The sexagons, four in number, are 70ft. high, and 45ft, in diameter, the walls being 27ft. high. The main transept is divided into three parts, viz., the Special Art Gallery, tbe entrance to which is v draped with maroon-colored curtains, enriched with gold fringe. On each side of the entrance to this gallery also are several groups of statuary. The: Art Gallery is between 70ffc. and 80ft. % length, by ab-ut 50ft. in width. this again is the concert room, and the transept is completed by a' very handsome fernery, 50ft. by 18ft. In the fernery, the artesian supply of water has been so arranged as to rise to the top of the fernery and trickle over the plants. The concert room rs most commodious, being 117 ft. in length, by 50ft. in width. Equidistant from the and the fernery is erected the octagonal band stand, 18ft. in diameter, where' 15 or 16 of the original Austrian Brass* Bnid discourse grand music. The special Art Gallery is floored in a superior manner to a smooth and uniform surface, being eminently fitted for the balls which have been and are yet to be held therein. [to be Continued,]'