WEEKLY OFFICIAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12641, 31 October 1905, Page 7

WEEKLY OFFICIAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.

Executive Commissioner's Offic-o, Chrietohurch, October 27th, 1005. At a meeting of the Maori Committee lield on the 26th hist, -a communication was received from the Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, advising the Committee that immediately after the elections he would be very glad to attend a meeting of th Committee for the purpose of assisting to organise a complete scheme for a representative Maori exhibit. It was generally recognised that the New Zealand International Exhibition was likely to be the 'last opportunity available'for sudh. a purpose. Plans and specifications for tihe Art Gallery art- practically completed, and tenders will be invited during the ooui.se of the next few days. The building is to be of brick and will be made thoroughly fireproof Mr T. E. Donne, Government representative of the Exhibition for the United Kingdom and tho Continent of Europe, and who recently returned from •his tour abroad in the interest of the Exhibition, has presented his report to, the Minister in charge of the Exhibition. This report is now being printed, and will be available for circulation almost immediately. The Selection Committee hae set up a Housing and Residential Accommodation Committee, whose duties wall bo to organise a scheme for transmission to tihe Transport Committee for the purpose of ascertaining the existing available room in (hotels, Boarding-houses, etc., also to oscenbain to what extent (travellers can ibe accommodated in the pnivate 'houses among those who do not generally take 'boacrders, and general'y to ascertain the full extent of accommodation that the travelling public can rely upon. It is suggested that tho Tourist Department and Cook and Son's agency should be consulted, aaid if tiu-.se agencies do not intend to take up the special business of housing travellers, then the Committee will formulate a scheme whereby all travellers will he met on arrival and the available accommodation properly classified and placed before them.

A special meeting of the Building Committee was held yesterday afternoon to receive and open t<>nrtars foir the main buildinc; of the Exhibition and annexes. Nine tenders were received, the lowest of which being satisfactory the Building Committee recommended for acceptance. It was decided not to disclose the amounts of the tenders until such tame as the recommended tender •had been formally accepted by the Government.

To ensure a thorough canvass of all the manufacturers and producers of New Zealand the) New Zealand Manufacturers Sectional Sub-Oammittee has recommended tihe appointment of a suitable person whose duty it will be to personally present the Exhibition and its value as an opportunity to promote business to all manufacturers and producers within the Oolonv.

Exhibitors, guided by previous Exhibitions, seem to 'have some doufot as to whether the Exhibition authorities provide them with flooring for the space taken up. There is nothing in the rules and regulations to justify any uncertainly, but it is now officially announLtxl tlha/t the 'Exhibition authorities do provide suitable flooring for all buildings and all general lighting connected with the Exhibitioin free of charge.

A letter has been received from the Consul-General at Florence stating that he has received the official notices of tihe Exhibition, and that he will not fail to give them every publicity in his powder.

Applications fca* space are still coming in freely; the total number applied for to date amounts to 9,494 square feet. Intending exhibitors will please note that precedence as regards allotment of position will be given to priority of application. At a recent meeting of the Executive Committee the recommendation of the Ceremonial and Entertainment Committee to lay the foundation stone on Anniversary^Day, the 18th December, was adopted. It is proposed that his Excellency the Governor as.Patron will, at the invitation of the President, perform the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Exhibition buildings, the Right Hon. the Premier delivering a presidential address on the objects, scop 9, and advantages of the Exhibition. G. S. MUNRO, Executive Commissioner.