THE CLOSING OF THE EXHIBITION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2036, 22 April 1890, Page 3

THE CLOSING OF THE EXHIBITION.

After having beea open four nnd a half roonthß, ihe Exhibition was cosed on Saturday. The weather waa lovely ia the extreme. Tho concert hall, where the formal closing ceremony took place, commenced to fi'l at 7 o'clock by those who bad received invitations, and by 8 o'c'ock it was comfortably filled. Among those present were the Hon*. Messrs Reynolds, Shrimski, Martin, and McLean, M.L.C.'a ; Mijor Steward, Messrs Ross, Stewart, Fish, Scobie Mackenzie, Prutt, Barron, and Ward, M.H.R.'p., Sir Robert Stouf, and the principal citizens. The Garrison Band having performed a selection, the secretary read the Commissioners' report, the substance of which is as follows :—The idea of holding an Exhibition to commemorate the Jubilee of the colony took practic* l shape at a public meeting on October 23rd, 1838. A compioy, not for profi', was formed, and tttractod 1050 subscribers whose total subscriptions amounted to £15,680, supplemented by a Parliamentary vote of £IO,OOO. Altogether about 150 citizens of Dunedin and over 400 in various parts of the colony have taken part in the committee work—the services of all have been honorary. The juries worked assiduously and smoothly, and the protests were limited to 21. The exhibits entered for competition amounted to 10,500, subdivided into 36 sections and 203 classes, for which 107 juries hnd to be appointed, consisting of 383 jurors, the total awards being 18 special, 1120 first, 593 second, 264 third and 87 highly commended. It is impossible to s»y what will ba the financial outcome, but the 14 Commissioners feel justified in saying that the guarantors will not be called upon to contribute any portion of their liabilities, and shareholders will not suffer the loss which they have nil along been led to believe. The actual results will depend upon the amount realised for the assets. !

The Hon. T, W, flislop then deliyered an addrets. tie noticed that the movement for the present Exhibition took practical shape in the month when the colony had sustained the greatest los* in population, which betokens faith in the future necessary to the building op of a great nation. After the applause had subsided the litt of awards was read out as follows :—Great Britian—l speoial, 102 first, 17 second, 4 third, 2 commended ; France—4l first, 5 second, 3 third, 4 commended • Germany—3 firjf, 1 seooad ; America—27 first, 14 seoond, 2 third, 2 commended ; Mauritius—9 first, 7 second, 8 third ; Ceylon and India—22 first, 20 second, 9 third, 1 commended ; New South Wales—l special, 106 first, 24 seoond, 9 third, 6 commended ; Vicfcorit—2 special, 166 first, 66 second, 34 third, 4 commended ; South Australia—3 special, 26 first, 20 second, 3 third ; the provinces of New Zealand—ll special, 627 first, 419 second, 192 third, 68 cernmended. As the announcement of each country was made, the band played appropraite selections, " Rule Britannia " for Great Britain, "The Marseillaise" for France, "Der Waoht am Bhine" for Germany, and for New Zealand " Hail ! Zealandia."

Mr Robeifcj, the president, then delivered an address. He announced that the movement to retain the main portion of the building as a workmen's college would have the anxious care and support of all. After thanking the other countries, the colonies, and the provincial districts, for the support they had given, and he concluded by saying that the prayer with which they had opened the Exhibition had been amply awarded. After the applause had subsided the band played " God Save the Queen," and most of those in the ball made their way to the gardens, where a fireworks dieplay was made before an enormous crewd. All the avenues were also crowded. The attendance was 18,434, being the largest of the season. About 10 o'clock the people commenced to retire, and though there was a steady stream the building was not emptied until 11.30 p.m.

Up to the very closing the Exhibition ptssed off without any serious accident in connection with it, but one occurred at the eleventh hour. Mrs Winkfield, wife of the well known pig-dealer, was run over by an fflraled water cart just after she came out of the Exhibition, and died during the night.