THE JUBILEE EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12378, 18 December 1905, Page 8

THE JUBILEE EXHIBITION.

"Immediately after the closing of the Exhibition it was decided to earmark the year 1900, the jubilee of the province, for holding an Industrial Exhibition on a large scale under the auepicee ot" the Industrial Association. The long notice we had of the intention to oomiremorato the jubilee of Canterbury in ■this way, led us all to consider in what manner ■Wβ could specially mark the occasion. I had the honour of . being selected to be the president of the Exhibition for the jubilee year, partly,on the grounds that I had occupied the position of first president of the Association some twenty years previously, and secondly that 1 was myself a local production, being a Now Zealander born. The special method which was subsequently decided on to mark the event was the building of the Canterbury Hall, it being felt that a great public want existed for euch a building. We joined forces with the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Mr W. Recce, Mayor of Christchurch for the jubilee year, acting as chairman of) the combined committee, and after a year or two's hard work, carried the project to a successful issue. The five acres of land owned by Dr. Prins was purchased for the site of the Canterbury Hall, and it was resolved that the Industrial Exhibition Committee should rent the buildings and grounds for the purposes of the Exhibition. The fine block of buildings now existing was completed to the day —let November, 1900—on which we were to take possession for the opening. In the meantime we had covered the entire epace of ground facing both "Worcester and Gloucester streets with annexes. The number of exhibits and applications for space waa co great that we had to obtain the use of the quarteracre adjoining the hall property, and on this was erected the annexo for machinery in motion. The Exhibition was opened by his Excellency the Governor, Lord Ranfurly, on November Ist, with v ceremony which will long live in the minds of those present at it. The Premier, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, end Sir Joseph Ward, were presert, and the former delivered an address. Mr W. Reeco, who at that time occupied the dual position of Mayor of the city and chairman of the Canterbury Hall Company, aleo epoke on the occasion. A. bpecial ode, written by Mr O. T. J. Alpere, and set to music by Mr Maughan Barnett, of "Wellington, was given by a very large choir, Mr John Prouse taking the solo part, and was a very great success. "Wo got together a magnificent <&play of out local manufactures, a number of eectional committees being appointed and working most energetically. The display of furniture was exceptionally good, and also that of the products of tho various woollen mills. Altogether this was tho very test display of local manufactures that has ever been hold in tho colony. Ono of the ir.cet interesting ami historical features of tho ontorpr.ee was tho re-union of J ho old colonists on Ann.iversa.ry Day, December 16th, 1900. A prooeseion had lioen formed, and the ooloniste afterwards held a kind of levee in the exhibition. Old friends vjho had not met during tho whole period of fifty years which had elapsed eunce their landing to commence their new life hero foregathered and clasped hands once more. Tho old colon-lets" were our guests at tho exliabition durmg the entire week, and enjoyed tfremselves meet thoroughly. Mr W. Recce. as Mayor of the city, giving a magnificent banquet in the exhibition to the rcmainine old settlers who came out in the early days. Another unique feature in connection with tho exhibition wne the result of the labours cf the Historical Committee, who.had collected ia. one of the rcome upstairs a fino display of interesting relics of old Canterbury, including pictures,, documents, etc. Anbther interestino: feature was the Maori court, tho exhibits in which had been collected by tho Government. Tho entertainmentft in connection with tho exhibition, which were of a very varied character, were excellently carried out by an experienced committee under the chairm.iwbjn of Mr J. A. That gentleman n now filling a similar position in connection with the International . Exhibition, and eeveral of tho members <jf the Jubilee Entertainment Committee are now members of the one set! up for the International Exhibition. The home industries and workers' exhibits were

specially interesting, and were admirably carried out, the former under the chairmenship of Mr W. Minson, -who is chairman of the fame committee for the lorthcoming exhibition. The attendance was excellent throughout. The exhibition was open for three months, and the total attendance was about 300,000. Tltanks again to the untiring efforts of the various members of the committees. And the zeal and devotedness of Mr W. W. Charters, the hon. treasurer, the financial results were exceedingly satisfactory. The enterprise ended in a surplus of £3000 which included the subsidy generously granted to us by thy Government.