The New Zealand Exhibition. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 122, 20 November 1889, Page 2

The New Zealand Exhibition. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

|BT TELBaBAPH. 1 UNITBD PKXSS ASSOCIATION. | Dukbdin, 19th November. Those persona who visited the Christchurch Exhibition in 188J, or the Wellington Exhibition in 1885, will bo able to form some idea of what their Dunedin successor is to be like from the fact that it will be four times the size of either. The arrangement of tbe buildings ie somewhat similar to the plan followed at Chriatohurch, namely, fonr main ayenuea running round the sides of a quadrilateral figure, with large transverse courts. The shape of the building approaches the oblong, but the eastern aide i 3 the longeat, in fact the avenue running down its length ia said to be 20ft longer than the main artery of the Melbourne Exhibition. The direction is almost north and south, the principal entrance being under the dome at the northern end, and, and immediately behind the dome is the Fernery, which will be one of the tpecial attractions. Visitors from tho other aoloniea oay this fernery is the finest that has ever been constructed in tho colonies, aud could not be done elsowhere under a cost of several thousands. In the central space behind this again are the gardens, originally intended to cover seven aores. The apace baa been gradually filched away for various purposes till now there are scarcely more tku.ll three acres left. The ground appears, however, to be ample for all requirements. A rustic bandstand occupies a prominent position, and there aro rockeries at each end of the Fernery. The south-western octagon, marking the beginning of tho New Zealand seotion, ia ; occupied by a big kauri, built up of segments of bark, with a section of the tree from which they came lying close handy. The opposite octagon is almost filled with the New Zealand gold trophy, fcir James Hector, tired of the usual obelisk, has designed a unique form, which it would pnzzle any but an expert to describe, but it might be called a globe covered with great pyramidal points Gateways made of minerals, cemented into a wooden framework, also mark the mineral nature of this particular seotion. The southern and eastern avenues aro both devoted to New Zealand, Otago and Sonthland naturally having the lion'B chare of the space. The decoration of the bays is well forward. The centre space of tbe southern half of the Exhibition contains the Art Gallery and tbo Concert Hall. The gallery, as is generally known, is built of brick, not a particle of wood entering into tho composition, except a few necessary battens for hanging the pictures to. The Concert Hall, like the main building, is of iron, with a wood-lined concave roof. It is reported to be of excellent acoustic properties, except when empty, a fact which has had a very discomforting effect on eomo of the performers practising for the coming musical celebrations. It is in thiß building the opening ceremony will take place. Close by are dining rooma, open bars, &c, and also a portion of the implement section. At the southern exit are atalla for cowa, where dairying operations will be carried on. The space outside, triangular in shape, will be devoted to hide-shows, such as the switohbaok railway, Eiffel tower, &c. Of the latter nothing but the foundations are to be seen at present. Up to date 2000 season tiokets have been sold. Tho oharges for these are two guineas for gentlemen and one guinea for ladies— a polite attention of the Executive to tho fair sex which seems to have been well appreciated. Tho authorities are very rigid in their regulations as to seats on the opening day, which thoy intend to allow to be occupied only by those to whom they are allotted. H.M.S. Opal and Lizard are on their way to Dunedin, and are expected to arrive here about the end of the week, and the marines and blue jackets are to take part in the military arrangements for tho Exhibition procession. SPECIAL FEATURES. Exhibitions as a rule, in the main, present much the same foaturea to the casual observer, but in some important points the Dunedin Exhibition will differ materially from thoEe whioh have preceded it in Now Zealand. Not alone in its size, but in ita specialities, will the novelty be found. Prominent among these are the Karly History and South Sea Island seotion, the Educational and Armament Courts, the Fieberieß, the Aquaria, and Art Gallery. In a lesa degroe the Fernery and tho Mineral Courts will be specialities. Not that nothing of the kind has never been seen, but that they have not approached the dimensions they attain in the present show. The Early History Court under the care of Dr. Hocken, whose hobby a research into the ethnology of these islands has long been, will present a museum on a Bmall scale. The Armament Court, which ia a Government department, promises to be partioularly attractive. The big cannon are already in position, and present a formidable appearance, surrounded by the smaller, but oven more deadly weapons of destruction, such aB the Maxim and Nordenfeldt guns. The permanent militiamen are busy getting the trophies of small arms ready, painting up the artillery, arranging tho mines, <fee. It is intonded at intervals to give a display of tbe workings of the six-inch disappearing gun, and as very few of the publio have aeon theae weapons, much less witnessed the method of manipulating their apparently ponderous weight, the sight is snre to prove eminently attractive. Tho Aquaria aro constructed of concrete and glass, and must prove a source of endleas enjoyment to the juvenile visitors. The Fernery oooupies a large spaco, and being the coolest place in the edifice, apart from its scenic beanty, will become a muohf requentod nook. It will bo lit by eleotricity. Beyond two large search lights, the Fernery will bo almost the only place where tho electric light will be made use of. In the other special courts mentioned, so little has been done that no idea can be obtained of what they will eventually be like. The Art Gallery is divided into six sections, each connecting with tho other by an archway, the whole building boing 110 feet square. About tiOO picture are now hung, and a number are to be placed in the iron annexe. Of those sent in a good proportion have been rejected, and will not find a place. This section will bo quite ready by Tuesday ; in fact the catalogue is in the printer's hands. Besides the Art Gallery proper, there are small collections of piofcures in some of the courts. Both New South Wales and Victoria have soveral bays full, and the Canterbury and Wellington Schools of Art are also represented. The latter sends the only specimens of modelling at present to be Been in the building, as well as a special picture gallery collection. Victoria and New South Wales have also small ferneries of their own. Another small specialty is the Tourißta' Bureau, where the principal display will be maps, &c, relating to the natural beauties of the colony. The Concert Hall is an extremely large building, with an organ built by White, of Chriatohuroh, and a stage for performers at one end and a gallery at the other. It appears capable of holding some thousands of people with ease. Utility rather than beauty is the main thing aimed at by tho designer, and from the exigencies of the position there has been no chance of adorning it with any bold and striking feature such as tho handsome facade which greeted the visitor on approaohing the main hall at the Christchnrch Exhibition. The regulations with regard to tho sale of goods provide that articlea manufactured on the premisea may be sold on payment of a small license fee, and it is understood that any exhibits may be sold subject to the provision that the goods shall not be taken away till the close of tbe Exhibition. These regulations are similar to those of the Christchurch Exhibition ; but visitors to that place will probably smile at the reoolleotion of tho manner in which thoy were honoured in the breaoh rather than the observance. A communication has been received from the French Government expressing thoir regret that they were not earlier made aware of the nature and scope of the Exhibition. Had this been done, they say caro would have been taken to have France and her colonies adequately represented, and several men-of-war would have been sent down for the opening. The painters, furnißhers, <fee., of Dunedin are having quite a gala time, independent of the great demand at the Exhibition itself. The bnainesa places are being furbished up in all directiona, and the hotels are making eßpecial calla on labour of the kind.