GLASGOW'S KELVIN HALL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18430, 10 July 1925, Page 9

GLASGOW'S KELVIN HALL.

OF DESTROYED BUILDING. (SPECIAL TO "TO WU.") DUNEDDf, Jaly 9. Advice of the destruction by fire of Kelvin Hall, in Glasgow, is only an interesting item of news to most newspaper readers, but it is certainly something more to Mr C. P. Hainswortb, manager of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. It was at Kelvin Hall that Mr Hainsworth first became identified with exhibitions, being appointed assistant manager of tho big Glasgow concern before a picco of wood had been taken to tho grounds. Ho held this position for about four years, and was then appointed manager. This post was hold by him for a like period. He resigned the position last year iu order to become manager of the Ponedin Exhibition.

The building, which cablegrams state provided an awe-inspiring spectacle when flro gutted its soven acres a fewdays ago, was constructed in 1916 by tho Glasgow Corporation. Prior to its erection it was felt that a city with a population of nearly 1,250,000 required a big structure to meet the demand for motor shows, trade displays, etc. It was first utilised by the Government in connexion with the British Industries Fair. Tho big exhibition of Britain's industries'was divided into three shows, being held simultaneously in London, Birmingham, and Olasgow, textiles, boots, and shoes being displayed at the latter place. "It was not much to look at," said Mr Hainsworth, "it being -primarily constructed for business, mther than beauty. However, it was always understood that it was only to be a temptirarv structure, and before I left Tjlans had been prepared for a much more imposing permanent building to cost about £125.000. The building was a sort of'try out,'and as it has proved bo eminently successful during the past eight years, probably there will be no hesitation about erecting a new building on the site of the old one, and the experience gained there will be verv valuable, indeed. Various ex- ■ positions were held in this huge strue- \ ture every vcar, including engineering, machinery, 'and shipbuilding, hoßiaiie and furnishing, bakers', groceis *"s| aUicd trade exhibitions. Tho BMttt* Dairv Show was held there, *nd » : housed the Scottish Motor Bhow, «» , second largest in Great Britain. The Scotti* *MW* national Flower Show, «*£"£? flS* tine and trade shows »**3£2*-«Mt hundreds of tbousajao\tlie»*««»w«"~ , Tho Glasgow Corporafaoa C«gWWg» , huge carnival; the Christmas and M*» and tests* «K S 1 I