THE EXHIBITION.

Evening Star, Issue 12865, 14 July 1906, Page 8

THE EXHIBITION.

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS.

[Special to tk» Stab.]

CHRISTCHURCH, July 14. The Minister in charge paid an .ofna'.u yisit of inspection to the Exhibition buil ings. this week. He expressed satisfaction with the progress, ..and stated that he was quite satisfied that everything would be ready by the opening day—the Ist of November next. Mr M'Gowan's opinion is that the Exhibition will be the largest arid finest ever held south of the Line. The art gallery, concert haH, and fernery are now completed, and all the framework' of the other buildings is erected. Four-fi the of the roof is on, and there is little etae to be done but to lay the floors. The South Australian Government bar* appointed Mr H. J. Scott commissioner and representative for that State at tbe Exhibition

Advice has been received from the Canadian Commissioners that sixty of the principal manufacturers in the Dominion have taken up space, and that the whole Canadian representation is m charge ol Mr W. A. Burns.

The Colonial Secretary for tbe Fiji Islands notifies the appointment of Mr L. E. Brown, of Suva., as commissioner for Fiji, with Mr Sleigh, of the Union Steam Ship Cjmpany, Christchurch, as assistant coirundsiioner.

Dr Bradshaw, of Christchurch, has been appointed Exhibition organist, and Mi .Alfred Hill, late of Sydney, and now o! Wellington, conductor of the Exhibition orchestra.

An electric lift is being installed m the scuth tower, from'the top of which a powerful searchlight will work on the city and surrounding country. A proof of the special issue, oorameratrvc of postal stamps, has been received. Tho designs are attractive and symbolical of tiw Exhibition. The issue is confined to font denominations—penny, twopence, fouTpence. and sixpence. Large orders are being received from ovenea stamp dealers. The dates for the International Axemen's Carnival have been fixed for tbe 17lh and 19th of January. The earliest date for the reception of pictures in the art gallery has been fixed for Sept-ember 15. All sales of pictures effected through the Exhibition Art Gallery are required to pay 10 per cent, commission.

The Exhibition concert hall is in great demand by entertainment promoters Hollander's English Comedy Company have applied for dates, and Mr Frederic Shipman has obtained two nights in the opening week for tbe appearance of the NarcUe Concert Company. A programme is being issued with full details of twenty displays of fireworks which are being undertaken by James Pain and Sons, London. These displays will take place at suitable intervals during the progress of the Exhibition.

TOO MUCH EXPENSE.

[Put United Press Assoctatiok.]

WE LLINGTON, July 14. The Government are unable to entertain the proposal by Mr Marshal, HaW of Melbourne, to bring to New Zealand a firstclass orchestra of forty or fifty players, to give performances throughout the Exhibition period. The cost of such a vaatarc would be about £9,000.