EXHIBITION ENERGIES

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 203, 26 August 1913, Page 2

EXHIBITION ENERGIES

- BUILDIirGS. KR&BING COKFUETipB. SIDESHOWS NOW tJNDERWAY. '!A fact -which pretenses ■Wβ!! for the success 'of the Auckland Exhibition is that the. progress of the building scheme is being watched -with interest by the public. ■ ■ On • fine Saturday afternoons and Sundays it is usual to find a steady etream of "passers-by and a few visitors to the inside portion of the big temporary "block; The grounds are open only to holders of season tickets, and these are now meeting -with ready sale, over I £100 having been subscribed. Three reputable citizens have been commissioned by the executive to canvass in this connection, and it is desired by the promoters of the Exhibition carnival that intending subscribers should procure their tickets as early ac possible, in order, to aid the financing of the huge fair. 'This is a big undertaking, and the more current cash available the easier will be the task of the commissioners. 'It wiilcoet in the vicinity erf £50,000 to make ready for the carnival.

The building and grounds scheme i≤ assuming a highly picturesque appearence, and the overseer of -works (Mr. A. Peareo) informed a "Star" reporter that he wao fully confident of having all the works completed several weeks before the date of- opening—December 1. About 180 men are employed by the executive in various directions, and another 100, or thereabouts, by the Amusements Syndicate "in the erection of tie extensive aide shows. Pay day is big occasion just now at the Domain grtfunds. The main hall of industries, the machinery hall, and various subsidiary structures, such as the Old Knglish .kiosk; the art gallery, the concert hall, the'cafe, the'band stands, etc, etc., are all nearing completion, while the big hall to accommodate the Government and district courts is well under way. The aquarium has "been commenced by the carpenters, and a picturesque cone has been erected over the experimental plots of the Department of Agriculture on the.hill; behind the hall of industries, the intention being to trail creepers around and- about in artistic design. •The lawne- and terraces are taking on •bi»autiful tint's" of verdure, and the flower beds give such promise of a profuse' display as to make one -wish to see them in their perfected «tate. Away on the harbour side of the main ■hall the Amusements Syndicate is now making good headway. A wooden lakelet, 160 ft. in length ia being laid down for the big water chute and a station has been erected for the '"figure eight" railway. Many more structures, which are to play an important part in the coming summer fete are likewise under way. In short, the extent of the Exhibition schcaic is calculated to eurprfee even the citizens of Auckland. It is generally agreed that the site is a delightful ope for the pnrpose, and that the Domain grounds, picturesque at any time, should appear more beautiful than ever ■when the final touches have been given to the preparations now under Tvav. ■ "' - ■■■■" -

THE MIMING- COURT. TAKEN OVEE BY GOVERNMENT. A meeting :of;*he. Mining Committee of the Exhibition was held in the secretary's • office this morning, when there were present: Messrs. P. ST. Kingswell I (chairman), C. Hudson, G. Fraser, J. Mllnes, G. Aickih,,and E.A. Brown, and Mr. George Elliot (president of - the Exhibition). ...... The chairman announced that tho meeting had been summoned to consider the position that had arisen owing to the offer of the ■β-overnment to take over the responsibility of the Mining Ctrart, and to make it a Dominion ■ display -while prominently featuring the mining resources of 'Auckland. It was ■unanimously agreed to accept the offer of the Mines Department, and to give (as .requested.) every "possible assistance to the departmental, officers in getting together an effective' display, i