THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12443, 5 March 1906, Page 2

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

EXOOURAGJNG REPORTS FROM

THE SOUTH

INTERVIEW "WITH MR D. C McINTYRE.

Mr D. C. M'lntyre, the Travelling Commissioner for the New Zealand International Exhibition, arrived in town on Friday night from a tour in Southland, Otago, «md South Canterbury, in the interests of the Exhibition. In a conversation on Saturday morning with a, representative of "The Press,"- JLr M'lntyre gave an encouraging account of his campaign.

"In the first place,"' said Mr M'lntyre, "I met, as representative of the .Exhibition, with the most cordial and pleasing welcome everywhere I went. Generally speaking, 1 found the greato.st enthusiasm prevailing amongst the people. Everybody appears to be coming to the Exhibition,- arid tho most htimous inquiries are being made regarding accommodation." "In Invercargill," Mr M'lntyre continued, "I found the greatest enthueiaMii prevailing. A very large meeting, presided over by the Mayor, vrae held, and 3360 feet of space has been taken up. Southland will make « magnificent show. The Southland County Council has voted £150, and the InveroargilJ Borough Council £100, whilt-t various other Icoal bodies have voted sums. In Gore, a largo meeting, also presided over by tho Mayor, was held, and the samo enthusiasm prevails there."

"With regard to Dunedin," Mr M'lntyre went on, ''I must say that there is a certain lack of enthusiasm there, owing chiefly to the fact that the city has not been properly worked to far. I could only spend two day* there this time. The peoplo wanted mc to stay longer, but I was unable to do co. I hope to get back there coon, and make an active can vase of the manufacturers. There is a committee there which has done good dotail work, but so far there lias been no active campaign. When the city has been worked I feel confident that there will. bo large applications for space. After the meeting the "Otago Daily Timee" devoted a eubleader to urging hearty co-operation !on the part of .those interested in the manufacturing industries. 'In Oamain," Mr Mclntyre declared. " there is very great enthusiasm. A meeting of leading citizens presided over by the Mayor was held, and I called on nil the local manufacturers. Arrangements have been practically completed for 2000 feet of space for a North Otago exhibit, the feature of which will be the Oamaru stone. The County Council has voted £100, and other local bodies about another £100."

" A splendid meeting was held in Timaru yesterday morning, about fifty of the leading citizens attending it. Great enthusiasm was displayed, and it was agreed that South Canterbury should make a. representation as n district. It is confidently expected that a very large amount of spsoe will be taken. All present at the meeting signified their desire to make the Exhibition a great success." WhibSt in Southland Mr Mclntyre had an offer of a very valuable collection of pictures for the Exhibition from a gentleman there. Coming north on the train Mr Mclntyre was interviewed by a representative of the Melbourne "Age," who informed him that people in Australia were all more or less talking of the Exhibition, expressing their intention to visit it. A large influx of Australians and a great extent of Australian exhibits are to be confidently anticipated. ' Mr Mclntyre leaves on Monday for the Nelson and Marlborough districts.