FORWARD. THE EXHIBITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1911, Page 6

FORWARD. THE EXHIBITION.

> — .—. — ONLY THREE WEEKS TOR THE OPENING. At one o'clock in the morning one of the Wellington Exhibition Commissioners may be £&en leaving tho wharf, quite respectably, after long hours of menial exercise in tho Exhibition buildings (the J ajid U store-s). Ay the sen-weeds of a plantive song pleaded to be called flowers of the. sea, tho J and U structures ask to be regarded as buildings for tho present. It is it> fair claim, especially for the new J, resplendent with ruddy brick externally, and neuchatel asphalt and sturdy "columns internally. It is a temple worthy of thegolden lleece. By a curious turn of time wool is to make the amende honorable to art. Years ago it was gibed against Wellington that moneychangers mustered in the temple of art (the little brick place in Whibmorestreet), and made their bids for wool. This month it is anticipated that the. wool store will atone for that outrage. It is understood that an art gallery is to be fitted up in the "J." This great "J" is eighty yards long and thirty yards wide. The first floor furnishes ai great expanse of mastic asphalt, and this 1 area certainly has points to commend it as a spoils ground. Skating occurred to some of the exhibition promoters, but there is one hindrance, a- strip of uneven sur- ' fa.cc, to hinder skating. It may be posfible, however, to smooth the path for the rollers. Skating would undoubtedly help to enlarge the receipts. Carpenters are busily putting in fittings for the concert room in the J, and others are bridging the gap between the two buildings. The turnstiles aro on the ground waiting to be installed. The Gas Company is losing no time in the "IV An impressive framework was visible yesterday. The rival corporation, with electric light, is to make its challenge in the J, but has to wait till the laying of the Xeuchatel asphalt is finished. It is expected that the floor will bo clear for exhibitors by tomorrow. The chairman and officers of the Harbour Board have been much invoked by the exhibition authorities, and have been willing to do all in their power to ensure success for the project. Mr. T. Ballinger has kept the Harbour Board busy with admirable results. This commis--aioner has been toiling late and early for weeks. It is frankly admitted by those who have been waylaid by Mr. Ballinger that lie has a habit of winning through when he wants something done for the exhibition.

Mr. \V. D. Lysnar, Mayor of f)i»borne, was operated on in Wellington this morning; for an eye. trouble. .He is reported to be progie.'fing as iavoiuably us tan bo expected. The Nelson Jlprbour Ucard passed <i motion on Monday requesting permission to close the oyster-beds on Wiiinio.i Fiat from year to year. The duek-fehcioiiu,.', season opji.ud m Marlborough on Monday, and eevei"il sportsmen were out. Most «£ Uic excursions wcro attended with tuccosr, «md it is loported that Vvvo local 6ti<3Ctain€u returned, each with a bag of 46.