WEEKLY OFFICIAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12636, 25 October 1905, Page 7

WEEKLY OFFICIAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.

Executive Commissioner's Officej Christohurch, Oct. 20, 1905. A well-attended meeting was held in Oamaru on Friday last, presided over by the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the prospects of Oamaru and North Otago being worthily •represented at the coming Exhibition. The Chairman painted out the value of the Exhibition as showing the products of the Colony for which there are good markets both in the East and elsewhere, ad spoke strongly in favour of the district making a representative ; exhibit. Mr Munro, Executive Commissioner, was present, and explained the aim and scope of the Exhibition, and the advantages to be gained in taking part in its representation. A motion wias carried unanimously that North Otago should be fully represented at the Exhibition, and a strong committee was set up to carry out all details in connection thereTvitlh. The Editor of the " British Trade Journal," London, writes as follows:— *' We shall, from time to time, call attention to >tihe" Exhibition in order to render it all the assistance an our power. As it is under Government auspices, manufacturers should (have no doubt as f' to the general treatment they will reoeive and the bona fides of the venture." A meeting of the Executive Committee was held on Tuesday evening at the O'vzy Council Chambers, at which his "Worship the Mayor presided. There was a large attendance of members the Committee. Reports were received from the following Committees: Fiance, Ceremonial and Entertainment, Sanitary and Hygienic, Horticultural and Landscape Gardening, Maori, Lighting, Fine Arts, Photography, Machinery; Building, Transport, TVorking Exhibits, Pirinting and Advertising, Natural History, Home Industries, New Zealand Manufactures, Decorative, and Agricultural and Pastoral. It was decided, on the recommendation of the Ceremonial and Entertainment Committee, that the services of Mr Pollard should be arranged for, as from the Ist of July next. It was pointed out that 'his services would be most valuable as an organiser and manager of entertainments. The irecommendations of the Oommiittee as to arrangements for the . opening ceremony, and the band contests, were adopted. It was also decided that the ceremony of laying the foundation stone should take place on Monday, December the 18th (Anniversary Day), also that a permanent orchestra of at least thirty performers should be engaged. The report of the Agricultural arid Pastoral Committee containing many important recommendations was referred to-the Finance Committee for consideration. The Horticultural and Landscape Gardening Committee, reported on what had been done in connection with laying out t the Exhibition Grounds, and the further +, expenditucre necessary for carrying out 1 '-v&rirmis suggested improvements. The "'-" consideration of the latter portion of the report was deferred until the Executive was supplied with further information; but tihe application feir the balance of amount authorised for an extension of operationis s along the river bank facing the Exhibition building, etc., was approved. The Fine Arts Committee reported Uiat it had decided to offer space to Art Societies in Australasia, for which applications must be received not later than December 15th next. It also stated tihat Mr Jamilason had been asked by the Committee to allow himself to be nominated as a (representative of the Tine Arts Section of the Exhibition in England and elsewhere, with a view of ibis obtaining pictures for exhibition, o/nd it was decided to add to their rePVporb the words "subject to the approval *" of the Government being:; obtained." With this addition the report was unanimously adopted. The report of the Building Committee as to the erection of the Concert Hall on the lines suggested by the Entertainment Committee was adopted. It also stated that now that the Minister of Railways had intimated that the work of laying down the railway siding would 'be put in hand at once, the Committee •would be in a position to consider the question of bridges over the river. The Transport Committee stated its desire to confer with the Tramway Boaa-d with respect to a tram line being Jaid to the Exhibition grounds. It also reported that it had been decided to endeavour to arrange for a conference with tine shipping oompanies to discuss the important question of transport of passengers tto the colony during the Exhibit; ■'a. The report was adopted. The reports of tl*j Committees relative to lighting the Exhibition building and grounds as also the main approaches to the Exhibition; of the Printing and Advertisig Committee as to the steps taken by them to advertise the Ex(hibiitdon, and the preparations of the proclamation ; of the Natural History Committee relative to obtaining an exhibit •of native birds and fishes; of the Maori Committee relative to the purchase of a Maori House and the proposal to bring natives from Raratonga; of the Home Industries Committee as to educational exhibits; of t/he Decorative Committee as to the decoration of the bridges 'leading to the Exhibition grounds, were all considered and adopted.

The Finance Committee reported on various applications made to them by the Committees since the last meeting of the Executive ad those they had approved, and after some discussion the report was adopted. The New Zealand Manufactures Committee reported that Sub^Oommitteas 'had been set up to interview manufacturers and producers with the view' of making a thorough representative New Zealand Court. It was decided by the Executive that a travelling representative should be appointed whose duties would be not only to visit out-lying districts, but. also to work rin conjunction with committee's of other centres as far as might be advisable, with a view of giving information and assistance to •manufacturers and other in applying far spaoe. The report was adopted. G. S. MUNRO, Executive Commissioner.