EXHIBITION IN 1950-51

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24979, 13 September 1946, Page 6

EXHIBITION IN 1950-51

Plans Placed Before

Government PROMISE OF EARLY CONSIDERATION

A promise of early consideration by ;he Government of the. proposal to lold an international exhibition in Christchurch in the summer of 1950-51 to mark the centenary of the Canteri >ury Province was given by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) when the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews) and the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast) waited on him in Wellington on Wednesday. On his return to Christchurch yesterday, Mr Andrews expressed appreciation of the sympathetic and helpful attitude, of the Prime Minister. Mr Andrews said the main purpose of the interview was to seek an assurance from the Government that financial assistance would be forthcomma. The promoters of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in Wellington, he recalled, were given a Government grant of £50,000 and a loan of £50,000. The buildings of that exhibition covered a total area of about 12 acres; it was expected that buildings covering 20 acres at least would be needed for the Christchurch exhibition. It was probable that far more overseas governments, would be interested in establishing courts. It was pointed out, said Mr Andrews, that costs had increased greatly since 1940, and it was, hoped that the Government assistance would be proportionately greater. A capital of up to £500,000 would be needed. “Mr Fraser said there was no finer site for an exhibition in the world,” said Mr Andrews. Hie tentative site selected by the interim committee was in the of Hagley Park, with entrances from Park terrace and Harper avenue, he explained. The present idea was to have one big building for all the exhibits and courts excepting the amusement park. This, it was suggested, could be in the form of a horse-shoe, with gardens and ornamental water in the enclosure. A single building had advantages over several scattered ones. It was more convenient for the public, and it was glso economical in the use of building materials.

The Prime Minister was impressed, said Mr Andrews, with the assurance of building experts that all the material used in the construction of the exhibition buildings could be used again for housing if still required by then, or for other building purposes. Mr. Andrews said the suggested layout of the exhibition on which the interim committee is working showed the possibilities of this unrivalled site. Everything possible would be done to make the exhibition harmonise with the trees would not be disturbed, and the natural advantages of the area would be turned to full account. He thought it probable that a competition for the design of the exhibition buildings and their lay-out would be arranged, and he was confident that this would produce some outstanding proposals. - Preparations for the exhibition will be advanced a further stage to-day when the interim committee will meet Brigadier H. E. Avery, who was secretary and treasurer nf the New Zealand Exhibition Company.