THE PROPOSED EXHIBITION.

Evening Star, Issue 7752, 25 October 1888, Page 3

THE PROPOSED EXHIBITION.

A public meeting called with the view of considering the advisability of holding an exhibition at Dunedin in December of next year was held at the Chamber of Commerce at three o'clock this afternoon. Mr John Roberts presided, and among those present were the Hon. YV. Reynolds, Dr Belcher, Moors A. Burt, A. Bartleman, H. S. FJih, M.H.R., J. T. Mackerras, M. Sinclair, M. Cohen, J. Sparrow, T. Emery, M. Joel, Hardie (Adelaide), Lee Smith, H. Driver, R. Twopeny, H. Mitchell, J. Ross, G. Bell, J. M. Ritchie, M. Mendershausen, J. Wilkie, J. H. Morrison, W. Brownlie, N. Wales, G. L. Denniston, and R. L. Stanford. Apologies for non-atten-daoce were read from Messrs W. Dawßon (Mayor), K. Ramsay, G. P. Farquhar, B. Hallenstein, J. Allen (Mayor of Port Chalmers), W. D. Stewart, M.H.R., and Eobert Wilson. Mr Wilson intimated in his letter that he is willing to subscribe LIOO towards the project if nineteen other gentlemen are found willing to subscribe a similar amount each.

Mr Coken suggested that as the funeral of the late Mrs John Gillies was to take place this afternoon, and as many people were attending it, and as also the passengers by the Melbourne steamer were to leave the railway station at 3.35 p.m., the meeting should be adj'oarned so that there should be as full an attendance as possible. He thought that the afternoon was a bad time to hold a meeting at which there must necessarily be considerable discussion, and would therefore move that it be adjourned to some evening next week. Mr Joel suggested that the meeting should adjourn for an hour, which would give those attending the funeral and the train time to put in an appearance. After discussion it was resolved to go on with the business at once.

The Chairman said he had called the meeting in his official capacity as President of the Chamber of Commerce, and he had not formed any idea of hi 3 own as to whether or not the proposal to hold an exhibition was opportune. As to its prospects, he thought that if the present improving prospects of the colony continued, and if the present rise in the value of produce continued, there would be by next year a better and more buoyant feeling abroad, and the success of an exhibition would be more assured. If one was to be held there was certainly reason why it should be held next year, for that would be the Jubilee Year—the fiftieth anniversary—of the colony. As to a site, no city in the colony could offer a better site than that offered by the reclaimed land, which was close to the centre of the City, and could doubtless be obtained from the Harbor Board on reasonable terms. The project had been much dealt with in the papers, and the 'Daily Times' had given statistics as to the financial outcome of other colonial exhibitions. The last Adelaide Exhibition was a great financial success, and that atjChristchurch resulted in a deficit of not more than L 1.200 ; so that, with Dunedin's greater population to work on, there was reasonable ground for estimating that one could be held here at little or no loss. It had been suggested that a guarantee fund of L 5.000 should be raised, and while doubtful whether that amount could be secured, he thought there would be no difficulty in raising L 3.000. In order to put the matter in formal shape he would move " That an exhibition be held in Dunedin towards the end of 1889." Mr Lee Smith seconded the motion, and in so doing suggested that if an Exhibition were held they Bhould go in for one that would bo large, comprehensive, and fully able to illustrate all the industries of the colony. He believed that they would have no difficulty in obtaining fifty gentlemen to guarantee the L 5,000 required, and, for his own firm, he could say that they would gladly put down 100 guineas towards it.—(Applause.) Mr Denniston remarked that what was wanted was enthusiasm, and he hoped that all would throw as much energy and enthusiasm into the project as they could. Mr Fish said that there were two factors without which no success could be achieved —they were liberality and the support of the manufacturers. He thought that the leading commercial people would readily subscribe L' 2,000 of the guarantee fund, and another LI.OOO would be subscribed among the smaller tradespeople. The Chairman said, with reference to Mr Donniston's hints as to his lack of enthusiasm, that his enthusiasm would be there when it was wanted ; and in the meautime ho would say that his firm would guarantee LIOO and more if necessary.—(Applause.) Mr Twopeny remarked that Mr Hardie, a gentleman who had had a great deal of experience in colonial, intercolonial, and international Exhibitions at Adelaide, was present, and the meeting would probably like to hear him on the project. Mr Hardie said that the last Exhibition at Adelaide was an unqualified success, and had done much to lift that colony from the depression that prevailed there at the time. It must be remembered, however, that it was largely helped by the Government, who put up the main building at a cost of L 30.000; still, without such aid a colenial Exhibition could doubtless be held in Dunedin. Mr J. Ross concurred in the desirability of holding an Exhibition, and urged all to put their shoulders to the wheel to make it a success. He added that his firm would subscribe LIOO to the guarantee fund.—(Applause.) After some discussion as to whether the Exhibition should be oolonial, intercolonial, or international in its scope, it was resolved to leave the question open, and the motion was then put and carried nem. con. Dr Belcher said that he heartily supported the project, and though not a manufacturer—except on a somewhat small scale —he would be happy to subscribe 50 guineas towards the guarantee fund. The meeting then appointed the following gentlemen as an Executive Committee:— J. Roberts (convener), A. Burt, J. Mitchell, R. Twopeny, B. Hallenstein, Lee Smith, G. L. Denniston, J. Ross, J. H. Morrison, W. Emery, M. Sinclair, J. Robin, N. Wales, J. L. Gillies, The Mayor, R. S. Sparrow, H. Driver, C. Zeile, A. Bartleman, T. Kempthorne, R. Glendining, R. Wilson, J. T. Mackerras, Dr Belcher, G. Bell, W. Graham, Sir R. Stout, J. Allen, M.H.R., A. H. Ross, M.H.R., W. D.Stewart, M.H.R., Dr Fitchett, M.H.R., W. Barron, M.H.R., H. S. Fish, M.H.R., R. L. Stanford, W. Brownlie, and A. E. Hart, with power to add to their number.