WEST COAST EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 69, 15 December 1923, Page 9

WEST COAST EXHIBITION

♦ ~ - PREPARATIONS FOR OPENING' WELL FORWARD Bt Tblegbam.—Phesi Association. Hokitika, December 14. On the eve of the opening of the British and Intercolonial Exhibition, everything is remarkably well advano•There are about 150 stands of exhibits; exhibitors being present from all parts of the Dominion and Australia. Space was well disposed of locally, the Coast exhibits making a good showing. At the entrance .is the West Coast fernery, leading into the Westland agricultural court, which opens into the main annexe, and the main avenues of the Greymouth and Westport buildings, which are full, ot exhibits,/also linking up with other annexes. The overflow exhibits are shown upstairs in the Town Hall, where very interesting displays are made. The whole of the interior is very tastefully decorated and makes a display which is greatly admired. The Ministerial party, including Sir Francis Bell, Sir Heaton Rhodes, and the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, will arrive to-night.' Mr. Stewart will deliver the principal speech at me inaugural ceremony to-morrow afternoon, when the Rununga Land will be present in addition to the .loop 4 band. The exhibition choir of eighty voices will render suitable musib at the opening, which will be attended by a number of visitors from all parts of New Zealand. Visitors who have arrived already express marked surprise at the extent of the exhibition arrangements, and the forward nature of the preparations, which promise a very successful undertaking, reflecting every credit on the community. MINISTERS ARRIVE ARRANGEMENTS EXCELLENT. Hokitika, December 14. Mr. W. J. Jenkins, ex-president of the Canterbury Industrial Association, who is visiting Hokitika in connection with the British and Intercolonial Exhibition, remained to-day, after inspecting the display, that the exposition made was , wonderful achievement on the part of the Hokitika people. He said the general arrangements were excellent, and reflected the greatest credit on those concerned in the organisation. ■ -‘Canterbury manufacturers/’ he added, “are of course part'jularly inforested, because they have supported the project splendidly.” Sir Francis Bell, Sir Heaton Rhodes and the Hon. Downie Stewart arrived this evening to take part in the official opening to-morrow. The visiting Ministers will be the guests of the Automobile Association on Sunday, visiting ■ Hokitika Gorge. On Mondav they will attend a luncheon promoted by the Westland branch of the Canterbury Progress League to celebrate the opening of Arthur’s Pass tunnel. On Tuesday the Ministers will visit Franz Josef Glacier in South Westland, returning on Wednesday and proceeding north on Thursday. . A large number of vistors are arriving for the opening of the. exhibition to morrow, and the town is wearing a holiday appearance.