AUCKLAND EXHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 88, 10 October 1912, Page 3

AUCKLAND EXHIBITION

GDVERNMENT ASKED FOR NO MONEY. . SUBSTANTIAI7~GUARANTEES. 'fWe have, asked the Government to become exhibitors, but we have asked for no monetary help," said Mr. G. Elliott, chairman of the Auckland Exhibition to a Post reporter. "The matter is now before Cabinet," he added. " All the Ministers and members interviewed yesterday were most sympathetic. They realb'sed that the exhibition was going to . be a great " success, ( and appeared to be much impressed with the fact that although we only asked for guarantees foe £5000, the citizens of Auckland guaranteed £17,000. There is a spirit of the utmost enthusiasm manifested by( all classes in Auckland. They regard thia proposition as a serious one, and are determined that it shall be a success. ""'The profits, if any? They will go to* the improvement of the Outer Domain —a lovely reserve, as anyone familiar wdth Auckland knows. It is here that the exhibition will be situated. The Palace of Industries will cover three acres and a-half. and there will also bo the pike, tennis courts, bowling gl'eens^ concert hall, art gallery, billiard hull, circus, and other buildings, and, besides, the fine cricket ground adjoining — « natural amphitheatre— will be available for, sports meetings." ' It was further learned from Mr. Elliott and the secretary (Mr. W. R. B.'olmes) that already a quarter \of the available space had been taken up and ' pi lid for. by the exhibitors, although the eidiibition does not open until Ist December, 1913. In about a month's time a-Il stamps on letters despatched from Auckland will be cancelled by the G.P.O. with the words. "Auckland Exhibition oiperis Ist December, 1913," thus adver* tSsing the fact the world over. The plans of the grounds and the buildings show a most extensive lay-out, .QWering ninety-seven acres, including tihe cricket ground. ! Among the attractions arranged for, oV to be obtaiiied, if possible, are a B.ritish military band (preferably a Highland band), holding df North Island Band (jOntest at the " exhibition, a billiard tournament and displays by Recce and 01 ray, an exhibition of pictures valued ait £40,000 to £50,000 by Mr. John Baillie, tennis tournaments, bowling scents, a New Zealand miliCary tournajment. popular and classical concerts, and (side-shows of every description, film pictttures, and a "figure of B'* railway. 'Negotiations are also in train with the -controllers o£ the "White City" (Lon- | <*«) for an Irish village. ! From a liquor point of view the exsblbition will be a "dry" one. But on the importance of efficient, catering .being pointed out to Mr. Elliott, he said the matter had been given most a»ixious thought, and the greatest care wjould be exercised in this respect. Tenors would shortly be called for the t csjtering, to be done by one firm for the whole exhibition. There would be >tqa kiosks all over the grounds, and one —■an elaborate structure— would bo in tconcrete and a permanent fixture. Those -who know the beauty of the surroundings aad'the richness of the native bush of '■ the Auckland Domain will agree that the site has been well chosen, being accessible by tfam-car on two sides, by Part n^ll and Khyber Pass, and approachable on foot by the Grafton bridge.