THE WELLINGTON EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 121, 16 February 1926, Page 7

THE WELLINGTON EXHIBITION

SITES AND DATES CONSIDERED A WARM DISCUSSION Touching on the subject of a Wellington exhibition at the \\ ellmgton Show Association meeting last night, Mr. Nimruo said that a number of neople had run away with the idea that a great exhibition would) hake place here in 1930. "This is impossible,” ho continued, “and I would like the public to know it. For the very least it will take ten years. . . Then that will not be too long. We want to make that exhibition something reallv worth while, something that all New Zealand will be proud of. To hold it before is out of the question. The project is a great one end will take a lot of consideration. Wellington is the capital citv and so should have her exhibition, but she cannot have it in great style for at least ten years. However, I would like something to be done in the matter. The people of this city must buck up and get things done. Talking about a thing is no good . . no good at all. The matter we have in hand ■s a great undertaking. Unfortunately Wellington shows a certain kind of apathy always in big schemes like this. iVe have been promised help from lead■ng people in” the city, but something should be done with Lyall Bay.” Mr. G. Mitchell said until the committee had -decided on the matter work could not 'be carried out at their expense to improve sites. When a decision had been given then everything would go speedily ahead. “We are all as anxious as Mr. Nimmo for the exhibition,” he added, “but we must wait our time." I Just before the meeting ended, Mr. Waugh said he would like to say a few words on the subject of Lyall Bay. "Lyall Bay,” he said, "is nothing more that a wind-swept area at its best. It is not a nice place. You all say the exhibition cannot be held for at least tean years. Then what are you worry ing about Lyall Bay for? Why, at the end of that time there will be many better sites than Lyall Bay, as there are •now if you would only look for them. Lyall Bay, as I have just mentioned, is a wind-swept area at the best of times. It is most unsuitable —— ’ A voice: Sit down Mr. Waugh! The speaker continued that he knew what he was talking about. The whole trouble was that many of those present did not. (Laughter.) Look at Gear Island. Look at it. /I voice: Where? Another: Gear Island. That hole. “Let me tell you,” continued Mr. Waugh warmly, “that Gear Island is far better than Lyall Bay. Tes, you may laugh, but it is so. Why, land there is very cheap. You should buy hundreds of acres there now, for the values is sure to increase. I say buy it now.” A voice: Do you own some of it. (Laughter.) , “How far is Gear Island ? asked another. ~ Mr. Waugh: About six miles from the G.P.O. , "Oh, I thought you went there by aeroplane,” another murmured. There you are. That is exactly what I say. It is a far better place to hold an exhibition, but you people do not know it, and will not bother to. I bet that hardly a person here knows where A S yoice: That shows what a hole it must be. "Anyway, its far better than Lyall Bay,” shouted Mr. Waugh, as ho sat down. . After Mr. Waugh had resumed his seat Mr. Burgoyne Thomas stood up. and demanded an apology for the slander of Lyall Bay. The chairman: Picase sit down. “Why should I sit down?” excitedly shouted the speaker. “He was allowed freedom of speech, so why should I not be? As I was saying, I ask that “ Voices: Sit down. Mr. Thomas, after a good deal of persuasion, sat down, and the meeting ended.