THE WEEK'S PROGRESS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12442, 3 March 1906, Page 9

THE WEEK'S PROGRESS.

The weekly official report in connection with the New Zealand International Exhibition, states, that the tenders of Messrs Scott Bros, and the Christchurch Gas Co. have been accepted for tlie supply of light, by electricity and gas, and power for the Exhibition buildings and grounds. The total amount of tbe tenders is £8044. Ths** contracts allow for the supply of 195,055 candle-power in gas, and 125,740 candlepower in electricity, with an additional 100 electrical horse-power. The contractors (Messrs Scott Bros.) are to supply light and power to the following:— Decorative light, dome, front of entrance, and towers of the main ing, grand hall of the same building, art gallery, and the Exhibition grounds, with connections for electric fountains, searchlight, and a complete system of telephonettes, call belie, and indicators, electric signal bells; also for a large electric sign, which will be placed on the front ot tho main building, composed of the Maori word of welcome, *' Haeremai." The contract with the Christchurch Gas .Co. is for lighting the main building and annexes, omoes, com-mittee-rooms and corridors, also the machinery hall and the concert hall. Mr D. C. Mclntyre, travelling representative for the Exhibition Commissioners, will visit the Marlborou<sh and Nelsdn districts as soon as he returns from the South.

A meeting of the Forestry Sub-Com-mittee of the Westport Exhibition Committee was held recently' at Westport, when it was resolved that the aawmillers in' The district should jointly make an exhibit of timber.

The Hon. C. H. Mills, when in Christchurch this week, visited the Exhibition grounds and selected a site for the Cook Islanders' camp. A party of these natives will visit the Exhibition, and will bring with them exhibits from the Islands. It w intended also.that they shall bring with them the neoessary materials to form their oamp and buildings. -Mr H. J. Soott, representative in Australia for the Exhibition, has cabled, from Melbourne that a sculptor from" Rome is sending an exhibit of fifteen specimens of his art. A well attended meeting was held at Gore on Thursday last, at which the Mayor presided, to oonsider mc question of representation. Mr Mclntyre attended, and explained the objects of the Exhibition, and what had been done at Invercargill and other places. A resolution was carried that those present form themselves isto a committee, with the object of securing an adequate and creditable display of the products of the district. *

A circular letter is leing issued to all tbe breweries exhibiting at the Exhibition informing them that it ds.proposed to ol mise a competitive.exhibition of beer, which will be limited to those firms who take up space. The beer entered for oompetitaan will be received and stared by the Exhibition authorities for" three months before the opening of the Exhibition, when the exhibits will be handed over to experienced and competent judges. It is confidently predicted that this -feature .of the Exhibition will cause considerable interest and emulation.

The Melbourne "Age" of the 17bh February contains a notice an the Industrial Exhibition projects, and, inter alia, states that the Board of Directors of the Australian Natives' Association, at a recent meeting, considered a letter it had received dealing with proposed Internatioifal Exhibitions. The letter was from Mr H. J. Soott, official representative in Australia for the New Zealand International Exhibition, asking for the support of the Association in ©noouraging the Premier of Victoria in making an attractive show of her resources in raw and natural products, and in manufactures, at the Exhibition. The Board decided to support the representation of Victoria, and to ask its president to oomvey its message of encouragement to the Premier. Arrangements have been made with Messrs-Heath and Roes, of England, to erect a travelling stairway to the main gallery of the Exhibition buildings. Passengers will step on to the platform and will be slowly and safely carried upstairs without exertion. The proprietors erect tlie stairway at tneir own cost and will make a charge of Id per paesengor. This stairway is in use at Earl's Court-, London.

Mr Munro has left for Napier to discuss the representation of Hawke's Bay at the International Exhibition. Ho will also visit Gisborne and Auckland, and probably Taranaki and Wanganui on his return journey.

Mr Mclntyre, travelling representative of tho Exhibition, reports that successful meetings have been held in Invercargill, Gore, and Oamaru, and that his visits • resulted ia a keen interest being taken in the Exhibition. Southland proposes to apply for 3360 feet of space, and the sum of £300 has been voted by local authorities towards space charges. The North Otago local bodies are al«o contributing liberally, and at Oamaru he obtained applications for over 900 feet of space. It is confidently expected that the Advisory Committee at Oamaru will be able to apply for over 1500 feet of space when all the applications aro received by that bofly. The Waitaki County , Council and the Borough Council, Harbour Board and Agricultural and Pastoral Association have each voted money towards space charges and for securing a thoroughly representative exhibit, which will include wool, grain, seeds, and other products. It is intended that a feature of their exhibit shall be tho fronting of the bay in tho Exhibition in Oamaru stone on suitable tines.

The following committees have met during tho past week, viz.. Building, Photography, Military Affairs, Ode

(sub), Home Industries, Finanoe, and Sports (sub), two meetings. -> All the available space a_ arranged in the original plan* of the Exhibition buildings has been applied for, bnt the •Commissioners are arranging tor an extension of the buildings to accommodate further applications for space. At tbe meeting of the Oamaru Advisory Board, in connection: with tho Exhibition, the chairman (Mr. Rose) announced that tho County , Council bad voted £100 towards financing tbe arrangements for the representation of tha district. Mr D. C. Molntyre, travailing representative of the Exhibttioiu reported satisfactorily as to the resole of h» canvass of mannfactarem of the town. A cordial vote of thinks wm extended to Mr Mclntyre for the naanner in which he had pushed matters along daring his brief stay, .