MR ROBT. ALLAN'S REMINISCENCES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12378, 18 December 1905, Page 7

MR ROBT. ALLAN'S REMINISCENCES.

THE FffiST INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION: On being asked to give some re- * miniscences of past exhibitions, Mr Robt. Allan at once acquiesced. "The first Industrial Exhibition held in Christcnurch," lie toid, "was jield in July,' lbtfO, under the auspices of < the Canterbury Industrial Association, of which I was then president, and took place in the old drill shed buildings and grounds. It was rather a hurriedly arranged affair, but a number of excellent exhibits were got together, including a good display of working machinery, and the puoiic patronised it libe'naily. It was ontfy open far six days, but was attended by nearJy 30,000 people. There was a profit made on it of over £400; which was the first.acit egg of the Canterbury Industrial Association. Ono notable tiling in connection with thia exhibition was tho nanus of the committee. No Jess than eight of these have since been connwted with every \ exhibition Jield in Christchurch, aaid are to-day meinbere of tho various committece of tlio forthcoming International I Exhibition. These* arc:—Messrs J. L. Soott, A. ,G. Howknd, John Waller, H. h. Kirk, It. W. England, G. il! Hart, W. W. Charters, and myself. ! At that exhibition the Kaiapoi Woollen ; Company, then in its mado its firet display, and tho directoiß were «>' pleased with the result that for years they never mit&od an opportunity of exliibithifi. THE JOUBERT AND TWOPENY EXHIBITIQN. "Tlio next exhibition to bo'held in Christchurch was on rather a more ' extended scale. This was the International Exhibition of 1882, projected by Messrs Jonbert arid Twopeny, and held in the South Park during tho mayoralty of the late Mr J. G. Huddenklau. This was opened on April 10th, 1882. In addition to a splendid display of our lecal manufactures, etc., and alfto exhibits from tho other province* of the colony, numeroue parte of tho world wero represented. This was not only by the exhibite, bub ated by special representatives of the different countries, notably England, France, Germany, America, Switzerland, Japan, etc. All these oourte were well filled with exhibits,' and the New Zealand court was ako an exceedingly good and representative one. The arrangement of this was carried out under tho a'uep;eee of energetic local committees. The j entertainments, which wero carried out under the management of Mr Joubert, a splendid ehowman, were varied in the extreme, ranging from tho simple con-

cert to what were at.that time looked upon «a magnificent spectacles—fancy dretß balls. Flower shows, poultry shows, etc., all helped to make tho exhibition exceedingly popular, and, despite the fact that electric trams, or, indeed, trams of any kind, did not then cxiet, the public attended in large numbers. A portion of an Austrian band which was visiting Australia at tho time was also one of the attractions. A collection of yery fine pictiirts, brought over from Australia by .Mr Fletcher, of Melbourne, formed a notable portion of the exhibition. Amongst these were come by Mr Long, R.A., whoio pictures wore later one of the features of the art display made in connection with the Dunedin Exhibition. The exhibition remained open till July 16th. The total attendance of visitors during the period was 226,000, a weekly average of 16,000. The buildings, fittings, approacluw, decorations, etc., cost £11,000. The salo of the building, etc., realised £2GOO. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION OF 1887. "Tho next Industrial Exhibition, which was also under tho auspices of the Industrial Association, was held about 1887. The Association was then under the presidency of Mr A. G. Howland. The f.ite of the exhibition was tho Drilkliwl .grounds, which had been covered with annexes. Tho shod itself vrof. used as a concert hall, in which entertainments of all kinds were held, the piece do resistance being the production by amateurs of 'The Pirates of PenMUce.' The exhibits shown evinced marked progress in tho matter of local manufactures since tho exhibition of Messrs Jonbert «nd Twopeny. There was a particularly good representation of carriages, timber, etc. 31achinery in motion, which was exhibited in a special annexe; was also well represented. Mr John Anderson, of tho Canterbury Foundry, and Messrs Scott Bros, mado excellent displays of ironwork, etc. The exhibition was a great euccofis as far as attendance was concerned, and though I think there waa a small law, the display mado and the incentive given to local manufacturers ■were well worth the expenditure. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION OF 1895. "Next came the Industrial Exhibition of 1895, held by tho Industrial Association, under tho presidency of Mr H. B. Kirk. This was again held on tho Drillshed grounds, and hy this time all the members of the various committees had become veritable showmen. Again all tho members who had been connected with so many previous exhibition* were to the fore, and on this- occasion I had the pleasure of first meeting Mr T. N. Horsley, who was a most indefatigable worker, and who is now occupying the onerous and responsible position of chairman- of the Building Committee of the New Zealand International Exhibition. Towards the expenses of this undertaking tho Government contributed a subsidy of £500, and tho exhibition was so well patronised and economically conducted that it reeulted in a profit of £2000. As illustrating the enthusiasm displayed, I may mention that tho various committees were divided into sections, whcee, duty it was to- take charge of all the doors of the exhibition, being on duty from tho time of opening till closing time. There was an excellent display of exhibits of all kinds of local manufactures j indeed, so great was the number of entries received, that it became necessary, in order to give up the Drillshed space to them, to build a special concert hall. This was done, and tho various entertainments, consisting of concerts, etc., were held in it.