MR CHARTERS'S RECOLLECTIONS.

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

MR CHARTERS'S RECOLLECTIONS.

"My experiences of exhibitions,'' , eaid Mr Charters, "has been entirely in- conoectaon with the Canterbury Industrial Association, and this Association was the founder of industrial exhibitions held in New Zealand. Tho Association waa founded in 1879, with Mx Robert Allan as its first president, Messrs Geo. G. Stead and Jas. Holmes vioe-presi-dente, and Mr Charters as honorary secretary and treasurer. The lastnamed suggesting tho holding of an industrial exhibition to commemorate the first anniversary of the Association, tho matter waa taken up heartily by the committee, and a large amount of work was done by them to ensure success. The members had nothing to guide them, and all necessary experience had to be gained. The whole of the work in connection with the first exhibition was completed in about six weeks, and although the exhibition was only opened far a week, over 24,000 persons paid for admission, and the Association rallised tho handsome profit of nearly £500. ■ No charge, waa made for space. The exhibits were contained ii* tiho Drili Shed, the gun shed being used for working exhibits, and the verandah was enclosed and occupied by vehicles and a refreshment stall. The working exhibits were a great draw, among them being a loom from the Kaiapoi Woollen Co., a potter's wheel, brooches, ear-rings and flowers made from clay, a saw sharpening machine/sole sewing machine, etc., etc. The general excellency of the exhibits won the attention of tho Government, and a Royal CommiiEion wa* appointed to visit the exhibition to report. The effects of the exhibition was far-reaching, and brought home to us the fact that industries wore in operation around us of which we were comparatively ignorant. At fcho time of the exhibition, the members of the Industrial Association, were ■looked upon as a body of well-meaning faddists, but public opinion at thattime was very strongly in favour of the imported goods, it .being considered tlhat anything colonial was *no olasß, don'-cher-know. , "