NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 239, 13 October 1906, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

FEEPAPxATIONS FOR. THE OPENING. (By Telegraph.—Special to the "Anck__ Star.") C_RISTCHU"RC_, this day. Exhibitors land concessionaires are majdng most strenuous efforts, ajid putting in an immense extent of work so as to get ready before the opening day. Everything points to this being successfully accomplished. Numbers of persons interested in the Exhibition are arrivin" from all part? of tbe world. At present there are some fifteen hundred workmen employed in the Exhibition buildings and grounds. Pome remarkably fine exhibits are being installed, the British Government, Cairadian, New South Wales, and South Australia deserving special mention. The visit of a troupe of Fijian firewalkers, under special arrangements , with tbe Government of Fiji, has now been definitely arranged. Their performances will take piace in the sport 3 ground of the Exhibition from the 17th to the- 24th December, inclusive. Picture-hanging in the art gallery is ! almost completed, and the unpacking has proved the accuracy of the statements made by Captain Aitken, tbe British commissioner, that the exhibition art gallery will show the finest collection of modern paintings ever shown under one roof. The Exhibition oflice staff removed this week into the Exhibition buildings, and all business connected with the Exhibition is now being conducted from the buildings. WoTk at tbe Maori pa is practically completed, and the pa. is to all intents and purposes now ready for exhibition. The first completed exhibit is that of the Woleslev shee.p-shearing machines. A creche for the care of children is being erected within the exhibition grounds under the supervision of the Women"s Christian Temperance Union, who undertake the responsibility of providing capable and reliable attendants. An aviary is in course of erection at the rear of the main building, where it is proposed to show visitors all birds peculiar to and native of Now Zealand. Special attention will be paid to ; kiwis, wekas, kakapos, and pukakis. Captain Bollons. of the Government steamer Hinemoa, now at the Southern ; Antarctic Islands, ha* been instructed to procure specimens of uncommon birds from those localities, including the wingless duck. The total expenditure of the Government in connection with the Exhibition is estimated to amount to about i £130,000, but the amount expended by exhibitors and concessionaires is estimated to exceed £ 350,000. This subI stantial endorsement of the venture is a very gratifying feature indeed. AIT the tea "rooms and-restaurants conI cessions are now let. and promise to ■ supply all requirements in these reJ spects. i Heavy bookings of passengers are re- | ported by steamers leaving Sydney and (Melbourne in time for the opening cere- ' mony. j Invitations to a Press dinner to be held on the night of tbe. 30th inst. are i being freclv accepted, and it is expected | to entertain 200 guests representing [ almost all the New Zealand and Australian newspapers. I Preparations for the opening cere-im-ony are well forward, and every possible contingency is being provided tor to ensure the ceremony parking off successfully and consistent with the national importance of the event. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The secretary of the New South Wales Royal Art, Society has forwarded particulars of the thirty-six pictures to be 'dispatched by the next boat, to reprcI sent the society in the New Zealand Ex--1 hibition art gallery. Two reprcsentaj fives will visit the Exhibition for the I opening ceremony on November 1. The Newcastle City Band will compete in the Exhibition band contest, having won the. nomination contest. Water has been laid on for tbe front I of the Exhibition buildings, and a. good I supply is now available for the lawns. and flower beds, which begin to look well. STATUARY BROKEN. CHRISTCHURCH Friday. One of the most regrettable circumstances in connection with the Exhibition was brought to light to-day when it was found on opening the cases that no fewer than IS pieces of ornamental sta.toa.rv, procured by Sir Joseph Ward during "his recent visit to Rome, were I hopelessly broken or damaged. Some 25 cases Vet. remain to be examined, but I there is no ground for hoping that these I have fared any better than the others. The packing of the statuary was most • inefficient. The affair is all the more to ! be regretted on account of the commi-t----1 tee's expectation to making an imposing l display of statuary in the grand hall and I main corridor. NEW SOUTH WALES MIXING EXHIBIT. CHRISTCHURCH. Friday. Mr. C. Larcombe, of the New South Wales geological survey staff, arrived yesterday in order to superintend the New South Wales mines' display at the International Exhibition, Mr. Larcombe. states that the exhibit will be practically a duplicate of that which created such interest at tlie Royal Exchange Exhibition in Sydney recently. VENTILATION! (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. After being subjected to considerable adverse criticism, the Exhibition authorities have adopted a scheme submitted by the building committee which promises to satisfactorily overcome all difficulties arising out of the deficient ventilation of the vast interior. A contract has been let for the work, which is of a somewhat elaborate character. The need for improved ventilation of the art gallery is also under consideration. Thursdays and Saturdays will he " free " days 3t the Exhibition Art Gallery. The admission on Friday will be 117, and on other days 6d. At the meeting of the Exhibition Ex- ! ecutive Committee to-night, it was reI solved to authorise the erection of an j aviary in which to display the New Zeaj land birds now being collected by the staff of the Hinemoa. It was reported that the question of the ventilation of the buildings was being satisfactorily brr-nsed, "■'•_'

LIGHTING OF THE EXHIBITION. CBy Telegrapn.—Press Association.) CimiSTCBUTRCH, this day. An official trial of the first section of the gas lighting at the Exhibition took place last night. The section comprised the -western corridor (24 Humprey 500 candle-power lamps), the main corridor (22 similar lamps), main avenues (36 lamps), annexes (94 lamps), galleries (22 lamps), suites of offices (lighted by handsome residential Humphrey lamps of 400 and 500 candle-power), passages and offices (Welsbach lamps in antique copper finish), concert hall (centre sunlight 16.000 candle-power Keen burners), galleries (three 400 candlepower fancy Humphrey lamps), and gallery (eight exhibition lamps, antique copper fittings, and 70 candle-power). The lighting was remarkably good, and the effect, was excellent. The Commissioners have adopted Maori names for the avenues of the exhibition, as follows: Kaukawa, (Cook's Straits). Names of canoes: Aotea, Kurabaupe, Arawa, Tainui, Takituma, Araiteum, Mamari; names of traditional persons. Hinemoa, Mateora, Matakerepo, Tutanekai, Maui, Kupe, Tnri, Ngahue Poutini, Tamatea, Tangaroa, Tane. Kebua, Tawhaki, Manaia, Ngatoro, Uenuka, Tairrateakapuo.. Tinirau, Hina, Kaitangatt. Eonga, Maramtv; and for the fernery, Teanaokakuturi. THE 'FIJI EXHEBIIS. SUVA, October 11. The Hanroto sailed from here to-day for Auckland, and is taking the Fiji exhibits for the Christehurch Exhibition. The natives will leave next month.