THE DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1972, 21 November 1889, Page 4

THE DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

Dunedin, Nov. 19. Those persons who visited the Christclmrch Exhibition in 1882, or the Wellington Exhibition in 1885, will be ab'e to form some idea of what their Dunedin successor is to be like, from the fact that it will be four times the si'zo of either. The arrangement of the building is somewhat similar to the plan followed at Christchrjrch, namely, four main uvenues running round the Hides of a quadrilateral figure, with large transverse courts. The shape of the building approaches the oblong* but the eastern side is the longest. In fact, the avenue running down its length is said to be 20 feet longer than the main artery of the Melbourne Exhibition. The direction is almost north and south, the principal entrance being under the dome at- the northern end. Immediately behind the dome is the fernery, which will

be one of the special attractions. Visitors from the other colonies say that this fernery is the finest that has ever been constructed in the colonics, and could not be done elsewhere under a cost, of several thousands. In the central space behind this again are the gardens, originally intended to cover seven acres. The space has been filched away for various purposes, till now there are scarcely more than three acres left. The ground, however, appears to be ample for all requirements. Horticulture dots not mike much show in it as yet, and is not likely to for many weeks unless artificial means are resort-il

to, as the soil is mostly sand. But tin .trea will be a useful space for the crowd-' tired of wandering through the covered aiales. A rustic band stand occupies a prominent position, and there are rockeries at either end of the fernery. The decorations of the dome are not yet finished ; neither is the exterior, which is being coyered with yellow oilcloth to make it watertight. The general offices fill the space on either aide of M>e entrance, and then we come to the western avenue, which is almost en'irely devoted to Victoria and New South Wales. A good deal of work has been done in their courts, but even here everything is at present in a state of confusion, and nothing like any idea of the ultimate appearance of the bays can be obtained. This applies generally to the buiiding, so that any attempt at description of sxhibits at present is useless. The two colonies mentioned extend into the central aiale, where their "mineral couits are situated, and eiaough has been done in the way of piling up ores and trophies to show that this portion will be an attractive feature next week. At each end of the main transverse, and also it the southern end of each of the long side aisles, is an oct«gon- tower, but these architectural adornments have nut entered into the design of the facade. The south-western octagon, making the beginning of the New Zealand is occupied by a big kauri, built np of segments of bark, with a section of the tree from whith they came laying close handy. The opposite octagon is mostly filled with the New Zealand gold

trophy." Sir James Hector, tired of the usual obelisk, has desigsed a unique form which it would puzzle anyone but an expert to describe, but it might, be called a globe with great pyramidal points. Gateways made of minerals cemeted into a wooden framework also mark the mineral nature of this particular section. The southern aDd eastern avsnues are both devoted to N<jw Zaalund, Otago and Southland naturally having tho lion's share of epaco. The decoration of the bays is well forward, and as the exhibits are said

to be all ready these courts will probably bo fairly well filled on opening dny. A portion of the northern avenue is also given to New Zealand, and the Government courts occupy the remainder. Great Britain and the foreign courts find a home in the central transverse, where at present the work of fitting up is almost all that can be seen. Parallel with them run smaller avenue for machinery, the educational and fisheries courts, and the aquaria. The centre space of the southern half of the Exhibition contains the art gallery and the concert "boll. The galUry, as generally known* is built of brick, not a particle of wood entering into tho composition, except a few necessary battens for hanging the pictures to. Being a aolid edifice this is about the only portion which will survive the general demolition after Easter, when the Exhibition closes. Attached to the gallery is a smaller iron annexe, in whioh some of the least valuable pictures will be placed, not belonging to foreign contributors. Some little delay was caused

in getting the gallery ready by the fact that the asphalt floor was found unsuitable, as it was feared that the fumes of ammonia would hurt tho pictures. The upper portion was consequently removed, and a stratum of cement laid down, which has had the required effeet. The concert hall, like the main building, is of iron, with a wood-lined concave roof. It is reported to be of excellent acoustic properties except when empty, which has had a discomfiting effect on some of the performers practising for the forthcoming musical celebrations. It is in this building that the opening ceremony will take place. Close by are dining rooms, open bar?, etc., and also a portion of the implement section. At the southern exit are stalls for cowb where dairying operations will be carried on. The space outside, triangular in shape, will be devoted to side shows, such aH the switchback railway, and Eiffel tower. Of the latter nothing hut the foundations are to be seen at present. These are the main features of

the buildings designed to contain the great show which is to be opened on Tuesday, but to all appearance that show, as is invariably the caso with exhibitions, will not he so complete as was hoped when His Jxcallency declares it ready for public inspection; and the commissioners are complaining of delay in goods coming forward, and some of them will hare to deplore the permanent absence of exhibits that were promised. Mr Fletcher, of Victoria, fiads that he will to all appearance have a considerable space unoccupied which has bean paid for, but probably

there will be no grant difficulty infilling the gape, as people keep turning up at the last moment who are glad to find an unoccupisd corner. Such was the case with a British exhibitor who arrived to-ilay, and the Government of Mauritius have also determined to be represented, and will have to be provided for. Up to date 2000 season tickets have been sold. The charges for these are two guineas for gentlemen and a guinea for ladies, a polite attention of the executive to the fair sex which soems to have boon well appreciated. The authorities are very rigid in tbeir regulations as to Beats on the >

opening clay, which they intend' to al'ow to be occupied only' by those to whom tliey are allotted.