THE END.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8401, 16 April 1907, Page 5

THE END.

CLOSING OF THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCH, April 15. The New Zealand International Exhibition was brought to a close tonight. The closing ceremony took place in the main corridor, which was densely packed from end to end, while a huge crowd of people was gathered outside. The ceremony was performed by Lord Plunket, in the presence of Sir William Hawkes, the admiral of the fleet, and officers of the fleet, the Acting-Premier (Hon. W. HallJones), and other Ministers <of the Crown, Executive Commissioners df the Exhibition, and other notabilities. The proceedings continued for about an hour, between nine and ten o'clock, but were marred by a continuous disturbance from the western avenue at the back of the platform, which prevented any of the speakers being heard. A confetti stall had been placed there, and that had the effect of attracting the noisy element to that spot. Mr Hall-Jones read an address, in which he sketched briefly the main features of the Exhibition. His Excellency, in reply, said the review, of the Exhibition's career, which "had been just read, was a statement which did credit to all concsrned. The Exhibition had, firstly, strengthened the links which had bound New Zealand to her neighbouring aister States, while the New Zealander had learnt, through the exhibits of Australia, Fiji, and Canada, more of the circumstances and importance of his neighbours than he could have grasped otherwise. The Exhibition had given the rising generation an object lesson in the coming greatness of their country at an age when that impression would remain permanent. He should ever remember with pride that, as His Majesty's representative, he was privileged to take some part in an undertaking so pregnant for the good of the country and for the general advantage of the Empire.