THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8112, 5 April 1906, Page 5

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

WAIBARAPA TO BE REPRESENTED. A maeiine of citizens, convened by the Mayor of Masterton, to meet Mr D. C. Molntyre, travelling representative of the New Zealand International Exhibition on the question of the representation nf the Wairarapa at the Exhibition, was held in the Borough Council Chambers last evening. The Mayor (Mr J. A. Eenall) presided, and there were present—Messrs J. D. Cruickshank, G. C. Summerell, T. Wagg, A. E. Winzenberg, C. E. Daniell, J. M. Coradine, J. 0. Boddington, P. JB. Ross, M.H.R. (Pahiat.ua), W. H. Jackson, and P. W. Temple. Messrs W. B. Allen and F. Feist, representing Carterton, were also presoot. An apology for absence was received from Mr D. Donald, President of the Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor introduced Mr Mclntyre and in doing so urged upon the meeting the advisableness of the dis trict being represented at the Exhibition He then railed upon Mr Molntyre to address the meeting. Mr Molntyre, during the course of his address, said that he was very pleased to be present to discuss the ;advisahleuess of the district being 'represented at the Exhbition. He ; bad been travelling in the interests of the Exhibition for about six weeks,, and his efforts, he was pleased to. say, had been satisfactory; in | fact,, all the work in connection with the Exhibition up to the present had been satisfactory. The amount of space originally provided for had been taken up, and the Commissioners were now increasing the buidings to cope with the demands for space. He then gave a brief history of ( the Exhibition. It was intended to bold the Exhibition iu Hagley Park, which was 400 acres in extent, and in the centre of the city of Christchuroh. It was an ideal spot on which to hold an exhibition, as it adjoined the public gardens and museum. The object of the Exhibition was educational, and it was intended to demonstrate the resources and possibilities of the oolony as one of the world's food producing factors, its mineral resources, and to draw attention to its unrivalled and varied scenery. The Exhibition afforded an excellent opportunity for New Zealand, manufacturers to promote knowledge and appreciation of their productions, and to saocesafuily combat and overcome the prejudice existing against locally manufactured goods. The collection of New Zealand exhibits had been entrusted to a committee of manufacturers and others whose special duty it was to see that proper and sufficient accommodation was provided for the manufacturers and producers of the colony, and that committee, being naturally anxious to promote the interests of its own people, intended to make the New Zealand court a oentre of attraction, and to attain this it was necessary to have the support of all manufacturers and producers. The allotment of space would be oonduoted with the greatest oare, so that a proper classification of exhibits might be assured. The proposed buildings would ooyer an area of 125 acres. The main building measqred 850 feet by 220 feet, and contained a large dome, and four towers in the centrre. The cost of erecting the main building was £33,000. Adjoining the main building and extending beyond it, on the same frontage, was a machinery hall, 316 feet by 305 feet, making a total frontage of 1,166 feet. The contract for the erection of that building had been let for £9,500. The total amount of space applied for had been 93,994 feet, which did not include applications from the British Government for 45,000 feet, New Zealand 22,200 feet, Canada 10,000 feet. New Sooth Wales 5,000 feet, South Australia 2,000 feet, Fiji 1,000 feet. New Zealand Government Departments 27,000 feet, tea kiosks and restaurants 11,000 feet, Post and Telegraph, Customs and Police 20,0(J0 feet. The total amount applied for to date had been 237,714 feet, and in addition there was the gallery for home industries, 1,500 by 20 feet. The Commissioners had decided to put on another 30,000 feet, and probably after that another 30,000 feet would be put on. At Carterton it had been uuanimonsly decided that it was advisable that Wairarapa should be represented as a province, and Carterton would heartily 00-operate with the other towns ia the Wairarapa to secure that end. As showing what had been done in other districts, Mr Molntyre mentioned that atlnvercargill it had been decided that Southland should be represented as a province, and they had appealed to the local bodies for assistance. The Southland County Counoil and Invercargill Borough Counoil had donated £IOO each, and the Bluff Harbour Board £SO towards the movement. The same had occurred at Oamaru, .Timaru, Marlborough, Nelson, Napier, New. Plymouth, Wanganui and ivianawatu. It was expected that about two million visitors would attend the Exhibition, and he had no hesitation in saying that the sucoess of the Exhibition was already assured. He had often been asked what each individual district could exhibit, and speaking of this district he thought a very flne exhibit could be made in wool, wheat, and manufactures, etc. The Government had decided to erect an insulator ohamber at the Exhibition to enable a representative exhibition of dairy produce being made, and he thought that distriots oarrying on the dairying industry should avail themselves of that opportunity. He did not wish to say more, but he would be pleased to answer questions, and thus enable the representation of the district to be brought to a successful issue. Mr Ross stated that he was only-a visitor to the town, and he was sorry that he did not come with authority from Pahiatua. As far as Pahiatua was concerned, be was sure that they would take the necessary steps to have Mr Molntyre visit the town and lay before them" all tho information he had given them that night, and then he felt sure that Pahiatua would'take steps to be represented He would do his best to attain that end. He looked forward to seeing the Wairarapa well represented at the Exhibition, and he was certain the district could make a good exhibit

Mr Daniell heartily weloomed the representatives from Carterton, who had come to seek the co-oppration of Masterton. He would like to know what space would be required to make a representative exhibit of the district. Mr Molntyre said it was a questioa of funds, and when it was known how much money there was available, the space could be taken and easily tilled up. Mr Feist stated that Carterton had not yet thought out the matter of space, and had no set plans of action decided upon but they thought the better plan would be to take a large amount of spaoe and the whole district to unite and make a thoroughly representative exhibit. He would like to settle the question whether Masterton was going to co operate with other towns and be represented as a district, or whether the towns would be represented individually. If the former were deoided upon, he suggested that committees be appointed in eaoh of the towns and delegates be appointed from eaoh of those committees to form a central committee and work the matter up. Mr Cruiokahank moved—"That this meeting considers it advisable that Masterton should 00-operate with the other towns in the Wairarapa and be represented at the Exhibition." He thought that would be the only way to make a successful exhibit. Mr Daniell seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. in answer to a question, Mr Molntyre stated that the other distriots had applied for space measuring 140 ft by 24ft and equal to 3,360 square feet. At 2s per square foot - the cost would be £336, and 25 per cent, of that amount was required before the end of the month. In other distriots it had been thought wise to appoint a man 7 who would be in charge of the exhibits and explain to visitors the various attractions in tlshing, shooting and scenery that the district offered. • Mr Ross asked that the amouut of space be not yet decided upon, aa Pahiatua and Wooaville, and perhaps Dannevirke, might not feel disposed to take a oourt entirely to themselves, and might see their way to join in with the Wairarapa! Mr Molntyre said he would be addressing a meeting at Pahiatua this evening, and he would inform the Mayors' of Masterton and Carterton as to the result of the meeting. On the motion of Mr Daniell, seconded by Mr Summerell, it was decided to askEketahuna, Woodville, Pahiatua and Dannevirke to oooperate with the Wairarapa in making an exhibit at the Exhibition. All those residents of Masterton present wore formed into a local committee, with power to add, and to which Mr Haddington consented to act as secretary. On Mr Ross' suggestion, Messrs Daniell (Masterton) and Allen (Carterton) Wefd deputed to attend the meeting at Pahiatua this evening, and endeavour to arrange that Pahiatua, Woodville, and Dannevirke be represented with the Wairarapa. The Mayor consented to visit Eketahuna, to-day, and endeavour to obtain the business people's 00-opera-tion in the matter. In answer to a question, Mr M<3'. lntyre said that' those exhibiting cereal produots would not be asked to pay their share of the cost uf the spaoe as they were not advertising themselves, but the district, and those who exhibited machinery and manufactured goods would be charged 2s per foot by the looal committee. The meeting closed with votes of thanks to the Carterton delegates for attending, Mr Molntyre for his address, and the Mayor and Mr Ross.