EXHIBITION ENDS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 104, 3 May 1926, Page 10

EXHIBITION ENDS

CLOSE OF A GREAT

VENTURE

ALL ATTENDANCE RECORDS

BROKEN

84,000 PEOPLE IN FALLING RAIN.

(By Telegraph.—Prest Association.)

DUNEDIN, 2nd May.

Saturday, the final day of Dunedin's great venture, was ushered in by a batter of falling rain, which continued ail day. Nothing daunted, thousands came from near and far to watch the curtain fall for the last time. Altogether fifteen trains arrived from long distances. The town was full with excursionists, and the carnival spirit reigned. All day long the sight-seers streamed down the highway until the courts and grounds were full. The Festival Hall, for the closing ceremony, was packed to the doors, and thousands standing in the falling rain in the Grand Court listened to the reproduction of speeches by the loud speakers, which had been installed for the occasion. The thousands who watched the gates close will never forget the great Exhibition of 3926, when Dunedin placed ikw Zealand more firmly than ever on the map. The attendance for the day totalled 83,935. The Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. JV 6. Coates) was loudly and heartily applauded when he rose to speak at the official closing ceremony. He read the following message from His Majesty the King:— "It is a great pleasure to me to learn that the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, which closes to-day, has been so successful, and that the attendances have reached the truly remarkable figure of three millions. I am confident that the hope which I expressed at the opening of the Exhibition, that it would achieve good results in promoting co-operation and prosperity among my people and in furthering international goodwill has been real-, ised. "(Signed) GEORGE, B.I." WHOLE DOMINION IN SUPPORT. Mr. J. S. Ross (president of the Exhibition Company) read a letter from •His Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charlesa Fergusson) regretting deeply that lie and Her Excellency were unable to be present owing to their departure for the Islands. In his message His Excellency congratulated the direetorj on the success of the project, and stated that the whole Empi j real-i-od the value of the Exhibition to the Dominion as a means of propaganda and advertisement. Mr. Rosa said that the Exhibition was over, but exhibitions had long been recognised as a means of advertising. In that connection it had filled its purpose. All the overseas commissioners will now be ambassadors and propajandists for New Zealand, which has sufficient to supply most of the needs of the Dominion. He appealed for support for New Zealand, and after fhat for Em-pire-made goods. He thanked the New Zealand Government for tho displays made and financial assistance accorded. Mr. Ross said that all appreciated the courtesy and attention of the Railway Department, at the head of which was Mr. Coates himself. It was a source of gratification to Dunedin that all the Government loan had been repaid. Dunedin did not look on the Exhibition in a parochial spirit, but as a Dominion - wide project. The attendance was over 3,116,000 to last night, and that was proof that the Dominion as a whole had supported the Exhibition. It infused new life into New Zealand and the South Island generally—(Applause) —and it had fostered a spirit which those of the younger generation hoped to retain for ever. (Applause.) ■ PRIME MINISTER'S THAIJKS. Mr. Coates, in declaring the Exhibition closed, was enthusiastically received. He said it was with intense pleasure that he associated himself with Dunedin that day. He regretted the absence of His Excellency the Gover-nor-General, who had shown great sympathy with the project. Mr. Coates read several telegrams and cablegrams from the Prime Minister of England (:,lr. S. Baldwin), the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Leopold Amery), the Prime Minister of Canada (Mr. W. Mackenzie King), and the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr. S. M. Bruee). Mr. Coates returned thanks for the opportunity of closing the great undertaking, and expressed t'-o Railway Department's appreciation of the thanks pf the directors. These would be conveyed to the men who did the work. The Prime Minister referred to the British Court as one of the most worthy and the most valuable from an educative point of view. Reference to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Band brought forth prolonged applause. He wished to return to Mr. Ross '(chairman of directors)deeds signed and receipted for £55,000. From the great venture, proceeded the Prime Minister, a seed must come which would indeed bear fruit and spread its branches far.and wide. The Exhibition had stimulated a national spirit and a pride with which we could face the future and work out our destiny. Mr. Coates said he could not conclude without referring to those who did the spade work and made history for the Dominion. All good things must come to an end, but he hoped that the effect of the Exhibition would be felt for years to come and strengthen the bonds of unity in the Empire. He was pleased to know that in his first year of office he was connected with such a venture. He would therefore declare the Exhibition closed. The Prime Minister presented Mr. Anscombe, Exhibition architect, with a commemorative casket. A SUCCESSFUL TEST. The Mayor (Mr. H. L. Tapley) congratulated the directors on the success of the Exhibition, a success, ho said, that was not even dreamed of by the most optimistic. He referred to the City Council's action in providing adequate transport for the crowds, and said that the Exhibition had shown, that Dunedin possessed enterprising citizens, who were alive to the importance of their town. The agricultural and secondary industry results could not but bo successful in stimulating the sale of local manufacture. "The British Court," he said, "had made us . feel what life under the British flag is, and we feel proud of our heritage. The Exhibition has shown the business enterprise and commercial ability of our city, and it has put the loyalty of our people to a successful test." Although the closing ceremony was over, tho Exhibition remained open until midnight. The attendance for the day was 83,935,- and until a lato hour they filled every corner of the park. The Argyll and Sutherland Band played until almost midnight. Never before has Dunedin seen such scenes at such an hour. The exodus from the city by special trains went on well into the small hours of the morning. At about 2.30 a.m. the last singing trainload left, and the night walkers began to move off tho deserted streets. The lights of the dome and the Grand Court winked for the last time, and the Exhibition closed one of the most epoch-making eras in the history of tho city. The band had a rousing farewell ,ancl before the close tho whole ground sang with it "Auld Lang Sync" and "Will Ye No Come Back A^ain."- i