THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8124, 1 June 1906, Page 2

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

TAEANAKI REPRESENTATION,

Some few weeks ago, it will be remembered, an attempt was made to arouse some local interest in tho forthcoming International inhibition. A public meeting was hold, and the then Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr 11. Cock), eonvened a conference of representatives of local bodies in order, if possible, to take joint action in securing a space which should be made representative of the Taranaki district. The response was poor, and tho matter dropped. At the time it was remarked that the Exhibition authorities wero very lax in furnishing information regarding the project.

The matter was revived at the public meeting hold in the New Plymouth Town Hall on Wednesday night, when the Mayor, Mr E. Dockrill, again tried to induce the public to take the matter up. He reminded those present that there was no time to be lost. Taranaki ought to be represented, and it would be deplorable if thisj district stood alone in declining to send an exhibit to advertise its resources and its progress. With photographs of our scenery, ironsand and oil exhibits, he thought the display would be of benefit commercially. Diagrams showing the increase in our exports, population, and so forth in the past ten years, could be made to prove our progress and soundness. He was prepared to assist financially, as he knew the municipality was unable to contribute.

Mr W. T. Jennings, M.H.R., moved that Taranaki be represented at the Exhibition, and that a committee he set up to make arrangements. It would be a great pity to let pass this opportunity of advertising this district.

Mr Ambury seconded, and regretted his unavoidable absence from the previous meetings. Failure to make a provincial exhibit would give outsiders a bad impression of our district, and doubtless bo very disappointing jto our own peoplo who would, visit the Exhibition, especially when they saw smaller and less important districts re. i presented.

In reply to Mr Malone, the Mayor stated that the space suggested to be reserved was 250 square feet, at 2s per foot.

Mr Malone supported the motion. It would be an extraordinary thing if we allowed to go unrepresented this district, with its wealth of butter, cheese, beef, mutton, coal, iron, and oil. It would be a great shame, for wo had the material for a fine display. He thought it might have the desirable eflcet, too, of more closely uniting the interests of the North and South Islands. His iirm (Malonc, McVeagh and Anderson) would contribute £lO. (Applause).

Mr King (Stratford) considered it would be a calamity to let tbis opportunity pass. Taraaaki had earned the name of being thoroughly progressive and thoy must not take a back seat now. He would assist personally with tne finance.

The chairman donated " a couple of sovereigns " to the fund. The motion was carried, and the meeting decided, on tho motion of Messrs Ambury and Jennings, to ask the Exhibition authorities to reserve 500 feet.

The Mayors and chairmen of local bodies in Taranaki will be asked to corporate, and those together with Messrs E. M. Sinith, W. T. Jennings, W. Symes and C. & Major, M's.H.li., K Cock, W. Ambury, M.Fraser, J.j Paton F. Okoy, W. A. Collis, E. I Unuiths, H. Goodacre, and S. Percyomith wtre elected a committee to make arrangements.