DOMINION EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 289, 7 December 1933, Page 10

DOMINION EXHIBITION.

MOVE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

WELLINGTON'S CLAIM,

Comment has been provoked in Wellington by the Christchurch report that a number of people there have submitted an exhibition scheme, to" the Mayor of Christchurch. The proposal was to hold a big New Zealand exhibition there in 1036-37. Those concerned, it was stated, had been canvassing the leading business men of the city, and, according to the Mayor, had been very well received.

It is claimed, (says the "Dominion") that Wellington has earmarked 1940 as the year for its centenary exhibition. Great shows of this class cannot be held successfully in close succession in a small country such as New Zealand, and it is held that by all the rules of the game it is Wellington's turn for a big exhibition. Christchurch held its- last international exhibition in 1905-6. Since then Auckland and Dunedin have held big exhibitions.

Wellington will be 100 years old on January 22, 1940. That was pointed out by Mr.' G. A. Troup, when, as Mayor, be proposed that the occasion should be auspiciously marked by the holding of an exhibition, with all the festive trimmings usually associated with such events.

Mr. Troup called a meeting of local body representatives and delegates from sports, commercial, industrial and social organisations for April 14,, 1930. On that occasion, it was-decided to support the Mayor's proposal to hold an exhibition in honour of Wellington's centenary. All present were elected a foundation committee, arid a sub-com-mittee'was set up to.go into the matter of site. One proposal was that the 'shallow shores of southern Evans Bay should be reclaimed, and that the exhibition, should be held there; with the Kilbirnie Recreation .Ground as sports area.

Subsequently the City Council sanctioned the expenditure of £150 toward the cost of the details in connection with the organisation of the last New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at Dunedin, which money was duly paid ,to the secretary of the exhibition executive. Since then little or nothing has been heard of the proposed exhibition. It is pointed out, however, that there are still six years to go before the advent of Wellington's centenary year, and much may take place in that time to influence local happenings.