INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. FOUNDATION-STONE FORMALLY LAID.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 142, 18 December 1905, Page 8

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. FOUNDATION-STONE FORMALLY LAID.

SPEECHES BY MINISTERS. TO-DAY'S CEREMONY. (Bt Telegraph.) (From Our Special Reporter.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The laying of the foundation-stone of the New Zealand International Exhibition in Hagley Park took place to-day in brilliant weather. The city observed a holiday, and an enormous crowd was present in the Park, which presented a. delightly refreshing appearance in the blazing sunshine. A platlbrm was erected in the Park, situated about the middle of the exhibition site, and was draped with the tricoloured draperies, and surmounted by a grove of flags. About 800 seats were enclosed round the platform, and these were crowded with large numbers of prominent citizens, and their wives and feminine relations. The platform -was occupied by the Executive Committee of the Exhibition, the Executive Commissioners (Messrs. Allan and Munro), the Mayor and Mayoress, many leading figures from the pulpits and law courts, and various consuls of foreign countries. A large body of Volunteers from all the city corps was present. The assemblage* numbered several thousands. Mr. Seddon, Sir J. G. Ward, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Duncan, and Mr. Mills were present. The Premier was welcomed by Mr. Gray, the Mayor, and aiLer laying the stone read a message of good wishes from Lord Plunkett. He declared the Exhibition would be of lasting benefit to the colony, and productive of good to the Empire. The idea of the Exhibition, he . i explained, came when preparing his Budget in 1903. Mr. Hamer called attention to the fact that it had been a long time since an Exhibition, and he (Mr. Seddon) had agreed, and it had been decided that Christchurch would be the most suitable. Hagley Park was unequalled as a site, and he (Mr. Seddon) was glad to say there had not been the slightest difference of opinion regarding the choice. In the course of further remarks, he said the Exhibition of stock would bo the greatest show of the kind ever held squth of the Equator, if it was taken up in the proper spirit. On the question of utilising natural power, he said no time must be lost; they could not allow the matter to rest. He forecasted the possible expansion of the trade that would necessitate a canal from Sumner, and predicted the possibility oil a steamer like the Gothic one day lying at the wharf in Linwood. He concluded that the Exhibition would bs a stupendous success, and felt sure that the buildings propoi-ed would be found inadequate, and would have to be enlarged. If so the cost would be cheerfully borne by the colony. The Premier was warmly applauded, and called for cheers for the Pilgrim. Fathers. Sir Joseph Ward said the colony was dependent on outside countries to make the Exhibition n success in all its aspeots. He hoped the Exhibition would not be alluded to by name as the Christchurch Exhibition, as the Christchurch people as well as others wanted it to be known as the New Zealand International Exhibition. Already the space applied for was 16,000 feet, and he thought the Premier quite correct in saying the buildings would be inadequate, and he expected a further application would have to be made to the Colonial Treasurer. He referred specially to the musical side of the Exhibition. We were a musical country, and the music would be of the highest type, and would be educationally of ' the greatest value. One of the finest features would be the electric lighting, and ChrisUihurch people would have the satisfaction of knowing that the proposed magnificent demonstration would be better than anything ever seen. He congratulated Christchurch on the way in which it had so gracpfully taken up its responsibilities. Financially he expected the Exhibition to be the greatest success, as there would be- a million and a half visitors passed through the turnstiles. Cheers were given for Mr. Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward, Mrs. Seddon, the Commissioners, and Chairman of the Committee, the Mayor and Mayoress, and all and sundry. A march past of the volunteers and cadets followed.