THE AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 46, 22 February 1913, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

On Thursday afternoon Mr W. P. Kirkwood, president of tt.-o rrirarfarj Chamber of Commerce, together with tho president and several members o. the New Plymouth Chamber, met M. W. 11. Holmes, secretary of tin Auckland Exhibition Committee, on tho subject of Taranaki’s representation at tho exhibition, which will be opened in December next and remain open for about four months. A; a result of the conference it was decided to invite all tho local bodies in the provincial district to sene delegates to a meeting to be hel. at Stratford on a date to bo fixed, for the purpose of co-operating U u movement to establish a Taranaki court at tho exhibition. The Mayor, of Hawera and Eltha'm had been asked by Mr Holmes to attend bn Thursday, but were unfortunately unabh to do so. It was felt, however, by those present, that it would bo a very great mistake to allow tho exhibition to bo held without Taranaki being represented in that portion which is to bo set aside for provincial or district courts. Several districts haw already decided to have courts, ano others are taking steps in tho sain, direction. North Auckland, Wanganui, Mauawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, and South Canterbury are among those already moving, and as the ap plications for space will close on March 31 it is necessary to act prompt# ly. A bay measuring 60ft. by 20ft. has therefore been tentatively hook' ed for Taranaki, and it is hoped tlia tho project will bo warmly taken ui over the whole provincial district. Tin total cost, including tho charge foi space, fitting up tho court, and attendance for the whole period the ex 1 illation will be open, is estimated al certainly not more than £SOO, of whic, private exhibitors are expected tc, contribute a large proportion, and tin idea is that local bodies shall bo ask cd to guarantee the balance. The dairy companies, it is hoped, ui. unite in erecting some kind of an exhibit illustrating tho volume and value of the output of dairy produce. A model of Mount Egmont is suggested as a star feature of the court and tho Progressive Association may be depended upon to assist materially both in tho cost and the decoration of tho court. It is, however, particularly to, bo understood that the court shall’ bo provincial, not- local. Wo do not suppose most of the local bodies have much money to spare toi such a purpose, hut the cost, after deducting what private exhibitors wd bo prepared to pay, will bo so small that, divided over so large an area as the provincial district, the burden will be very trifling. At any rate (stall's tho Taranaki Herald) wo hope tho local bodies will all send delegates to tho meeting, the date and place cd which will be duly notified to them. CHRISTCHURCH’S EXHIBIT (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, February 21. A meeting was held this afternoon to consider tho question ef a, Christchurch exhibit at the Auckland exni- ( bition. Tho Mayor presided and it ' was decided to adjourn in order to . enable the secretary to obtain intorrnation from Ashburton and Timaru as to what steps are being taken in I those centres. The secretary was - instructed to communicate with the i Department of Agriculture on the ! subject of obtaining exhibits of g"ai” from farmers.