MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. BUILDINGS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 104, 1 May 1880, Page 1

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. BUILDINGS.

la the Argus of last week we find the following:— The permanent buildings of the Melbourne International Exhibition are approaching completion, and good progress .has hean made by the contractors for the temporary courts, but there yet remains a large amount of indispensable work to be performed prior to the date'

fixed for the general reception of exhibits, which in the official programme ot the Commissioners is stated to commence on the Ist of June next. The floors of the machinery annexes have not yet been commenced, and although it has been decided to erect four powerful engines with the requisite amount of shafting, &c, for driving machinery shown in motion, no sign has been made by (he contractors for the work. Tramways for the conveyance of exhibits from the streets to the different courts of the Exhibition have also been decided upon, and together with < such details as the laying down gas mains, constructing offices for the commissioners, fitting up refreshment rooms, &c, have yet to be executed. The Building Committee appear to live to see the necessity for prompt action, and at their last meeting decided to strongly recommend that wherever practicable the work enumerated should be pushed on with the utmost expedition, It was agreed that everything should, if possible, be completed prior to the reception of exhibits, otherwisa tho same scene of confusion witnessed before the opening of the Sydney Exhibition might be repeated in Melbourne. At the last monthly meeting of commissioners, it was stated that the ceiling of the naves formed by floors of the pioture galleries be lined, but nothing has bean done in the matter, and the operations of the painters and decorators will thereby be retarded considerably. Nearly the whole. of the main roof has been distempered and stencilled, the picture galleries and stair chambers being also well advanced. The plasterers are still at work on the base of the dome, and higher, up a portion of the decorative design has been executed. Only a partial view, of the work can at present be obtained in coneequenoe of the heavy scaffolding. The orchestra in front of the organ,; which occupies nearly a third of the western nave will be finished in a few days, and Mr Fincham has most of the heavy woodwork of his organ in position, the work of casting the metal pipes having been successfully accomplished at his manufactory at Richmond. The Melbourne Corporation have set several gangs of men to work on the footpaths, and although about 25,000 yards of tar pavings will have to be laid down, the entire work will be performed in good time for the inauguration of the Exhibition. Mr Sangster has planted most of the lawns, and the gardens are now commencing to assume a highly cultivated appearance. The trees and flowering plants placed in position last season have thriven very well through the summer, the rose beds opposite the south-western end of the main building being at present full of promise for a fine display in the spring. In connection with the gardens, it may be mentioned that Mr. Charles Bayn, of Mount Macedon, has presented a number of violets and pansies for planting out in beds fronting the Exhibition buildings, and as they are the varieties which have been so successful at recent horticultural shows, the donation is a valuable one. Thefts in the gardens are not quite so numerous as they were, but a strict watch has still to be maintained.