SYDNEY EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5582, 18 February 1879, Page 3

SYDNEY EXHIBITION.

From a long report of the proceedings of the Exhibition Commission in Sydney, in the Sydney Mail of Ist inst., we make the following extracts. The committee’s report says that : “In an unofficial letter from the Hon. T. Casey, C.M.G., vice-president of the Victorian Commission, he tenders ua the Commission’s warmest sympathy and support, and states that ho expects a liberal measure of support will be accorded, and a vigorous effort made to have a good collection of Victorian exhibits. “At tho risk of being impertinent I would fain impress on tho Commission that it is only by the most constant and energetic labors that we can hope to arrange everything necessary for the success of the Exhibition within the extremely limited time left for us to work in. This will involve a vast amount of work on the various committees, and as it is understood the number of the present Commission is not likely to be enlarged,' the earliest opportunity should be taken to secure the services of gentlemen competent for the position of special honorary commissioners. “ The Consul for Germany, Mr. Sahl, was selected as a special honorary member of Committee No. 1, and in an interview with him on tho eve of his departure he kindly undertook to work with the London Commissioners in every desirable way, and to bring the matter personally under the proper Minister of State at Berlin, and gain as far as possible the influence of the German Government in assisting the project. “ He further kindly undertook to distribute papers containing views and plans and descriptions of the building throughout Germany, and to have information circulated in the German language to supply all requisite information to intending exhibitors. “ Much assistance of a similar character would, no doubt, be given by the other consular officers in this city, and with the consent of the commission I would institute inquiries as to how far help could be counted on from this quarter.” The Executive Commissioner and Secretary were empowered to make the following appointments :—First clerk, at £3OO ; second clerk, at £250; third clerk, at £2OO ; officekeeper, at £l2O ; housekeeper, at £25 ; messenger, at £l2O. The Government have appointed tho following gentlemen to be members of a commission to act in London for the International Exhibition to bo held in Sydney in September next: —Earl Belmore, president; Sir Daniel Cooper, vice-president ; Mr. William Forster, AgentGeneral ; the Hon. John Fraser, M.L.O. ; Mr. Edward Knox, the Right Hon. Robert Lowe, M.P.; Mr. Edward Abraham Levy, J.P.; Mr. Alexander McArthur, M.P. ; Mr. J. L. Montefiore, Mr. W. A. Ogg, Sir Phillip Ounliffe Owen, K.0.M.G.; Sir Henry Watson Parker, K.0.M.G.; Mr. Peter Nichol Russell, Sir Francis Turville, K.C.M.G. The Executive Commissioner, Mr. P. A. Jennings, having first received a telegram from the Hon. J J. Casey, Victorian Commissioner, stating that Victoria could do with 5000 square feet of space on the main floor, has since received a second telegram, stating that not less than 10,000 will suffice, if that colony is to be adequately represented. The approximate amount of space allotted to Victoria was 5600 square feet. With regard to the proffered loan of pictures for the Exhibition Mr. Casey says that no doubt the Victorian Commission will co-operate with the Commission here in obtaining them. Mr. Jennings is in communication with South Australia, Queensland, New Zealand, and Wester;: Austra iouthe subject of tho allotment of space, and copies of the Sydney illustrated papers have been forwarded to each of those colonies for distribution. The official programme is being prepared, and will most likely be issued after the next meeting of tho Commission. It will contain exhaustive and final information with regard to the business of the Exhibition.

A daily increasing energy is displayed in pushing on the various operations connected with the building. More hands are put on as the progress of the work makes opportunity, and there are now about 500 men employed. That part of the base which is to support the single story is being floored, and, though scarcely occupying one-half the floor-space, it presents a very expansive area. The excavation for the basement is proceeding rapidly, drain pipes are being laid, and other smaller but necessary operations ore being carried out. Messrs. Hudson Brothers have placed an engine and several machines used for sawing and joinery vtork in the large shed erected by them on the lower part of the ground.