AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 255, 18 March 1913, Page 6

AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

TAItAXAKI'S INTENTIONS. Mr, J. 15. liichards. of Stratford, secretary pro torn, to the committee which has in hand the matter of a Taranaki court at the Auckland Exhibition., has addressed a circular letter to all local bodies in Taranaki. soliciting' contributions in furtherance of the movement. In it lie details what has already been , done in that connection. Mr. Holmes, secretary of the Exhibition, has, he states, bad two conferences with the council of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, and a space of 1200 feet has been tentatively applied for, but this application for space is subject to the proposal receiving the approval and support of responsible bodies throughout the province. As a further step, a meeting was ■'held in Stratford on March 4. and it was unanimously approved of the proposal to promote a Taranaki Provincial Court at the Exhibition, and speakers were most emphatic in expressing the opinion I that it should be carried out in a manner which would be creditable to our province. Those present formed themselves into a committee for the purpose •of promoting the proposal, and they earnestly urge upon members of local bodies, and the public generally, the positive necessity of extending a hearty support to the scheme, to the end that the desirable measure of success may be ati tained. A sub-committee (continues Mr. ' Richards) was appointed for the purpose I of placing before local bodies a more or less definite scheme, to seek their support, and to report to a future meeting. The benefits likely to accrue to Taranaki from a full representation at the Auckland Exhibition will readily present themselves to the local bodies, for it in generally admitted that trade and commerce are greatly promoted by industrial ) exhibitions. The trade of Taranaki I with Auckland itself is well worth careI ful attention, and is likely to increase } considerably with the opening of the I railway connection. 'Judicious "advertisI ing is universally admitted to be a necefJ sary phase of successful business. It is j apparent that what banefits arise from ] a Taranaki court will affect the whole province, particularly the primary proI ducer. the man on the land, and it is | therefore hoped that all local bodies will

contribute to the cost. Local bodies have power to make "unauthorised" expenditure on s»ch an object up to a certain proportion of their revenue, but it is understood that the Government will he asked to introduce a Bill during next session giving specific power to local bodies to devote a certain portion of their funds to this particular object. Manufacturers and business firms throughout Taranaki will be canvassed to exhibit in our Court, and will, of course, pay for the space they require, and a sum of £2OO may be reasonably expected from them. The committee, however, feels that a sum of aboit £SOO must be surely available to ensure the success of the undertaking, and the most equitable method they can devise to raise this amount is to suggest that local bodies contribute a sum equal to £35. in the million pounds of capital value of rateable properties in their respective districts. Mr. Richards has prepared a table, worked out •to the nearest £5, showing the following suggested contributions from each'loCal body:—-Counties: Clifton £2.'5, Taranaki £7O, Hawera £7O, HVaimate-West £4O. Eltham £SO, Egmont £SO, Stratford £7O, Whangamomona £ls. Patea £7O; boroughs: Wai-

tara £5, Xew Plymouth £4O, Inglewood £5, Stratford £lO. Hawera £ls, Eltham £lO, Patea £5: total, £550. ' As the scheme develops, there will- pro-

bably be appointed' by contributing bodies a committee of management, who will have full control; but. of course, the whole question of management must finally rest in the hands of representatives of'contributing bodies. The present subcommittee is quite willing to do all that ip required of it, but they have no wish to assume any duty or control which have not been properly assigned to them.