LIMIT OF HUMAN SKILL

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 152, 28 June 1915, Page 6

LIMIT OF HUMAN SKILL

A POETICAL TRIBUTE. MR. DEAKIN'S ENTHUSIASM. THE PANAMA EXPOSITIOX. Mr. Alfred Deakin, the eminent AUS'iralian statesman, who has been Tepre- '• eenting the Commonwealth at the Pana- j ma Exposition at San Francisco, is a : through passenger by the Niagara for Sydney and Melbourne. Mr. Deakin is accompanied by Mrs. Deakin and Miss Deakin. Referring in the course of a conversation with a •■'Star" reporter to the circumstances leading up to the appointment of the Australian Commission for the Panama Exposition. Mr. Deakin stated that it was created by the Cook Government in 1014. with 'himself as President. At an earlier date the Fisher Government hid authorised the appointment of Mr. Nielsen as vice-president. Mr. Robertson as member representing Queensland, and Mr. Fricke representing his chief, the Hon. Mr. Hagelthorn, of victoria. Commenting on the Australian panlion, which was designed by Mr. Oakeshott, Mr. Deakin &aid that it had unfortunately been the victim of delays, but the exhibition of the products of the Commonwealth, enabled it to command popularity. Official reports showed that i it achieved and maintained third place I in the matter of attendance. Us success was due to the elTorts of Mr. Edward (secretary). Captain J. \V. Niesigh, Mr. Campbell and Mr. Harrison. Mre. and Mies Deakin gave much of their time to i the pavilion. j A long series of festivities had (allowed ; the dedication of the Exposition on Febj ruary 20, including many attractive eelej brations, dinners and dances. The illuminations at night were dazzling. The | rains interfered to some extent with the i j early days of the Exposition. The president of the Exposition (Mr. Moore) and his assistants had bravely faced a sea of troubles, and trials innumerable. ' Despite the lengthening \ train of misfortunes at Home and abroad the triumph of the Exposition in its own ; sphere became clearer month by month. .Not only did it portray so far the largest and most imposing spectacle, but it was also in quality the most artistic, the ; I most various and the. most fascinating I yet created. Incontestabiy, Mr. Deakin thought, it was the best product yet of human taste and skill, and it was so i much the best that our Tounstest genera- l tion could hardly hope to discover either its fellow or its rival. " Fortunate, indeed." he declared with enthusiasm, "are j the appreciative who have seen the Ex-, 'position; more fortunate still those who ! have realised its winsome pleasauneea ; happiest of all the worshippers who have| made themselves a part of its vision or | the vision a part of them. The palaces , and the pavilions, the sculptures and pictures and works of art, the springing I fountains, arrf the garden glories of the Exposition abound in charms, spells, phantasies, and inspirations never to be I forsworn or overshadowed by the generation."