THE EXHIBITION.

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 6

THE EXHIBITION.

Thh main contractors for the Exhibition buildings havo given at once an incentive and an opportunity to others by the expedition they have shown in performing their contract. The first seven buildings have been handed over complete to the Exhibition Company a fortnight before the stipulated time. That is quick despatch, and the importance of it is not to be lightly estimated. What it means is that all the buildings are now finished which are intended to hold exhibits; the exhibitors can begin at once to set them up. Mr Hainsworth, general manager, has said that no exhibition which ho can recall has been so well advanced four months bofore its opening day, and ho speaks very much as an authority. It is not only the buildings now completed which have afforded a rare example of rapid construction. The progress of the Art Gallery, which is being built of brick, without the assistance of standardisation, has been a like demonstration. It is quite clear that no limit has boon placed to the number of bricks which may bo laid in one day by the men employed on that contract. The building is now fast approaching completion, and will bo ready in good time for the hanging of pictures. Visitors from other provinces who have paid their respects to Logan Eark have described themselves as “ staggered ” by the huge scale of its buildings, but a matter for more surprise, to those who havo watched their progress, has been the speed of their erection. Everything promises well for the outdoors state of readiness of the big Exhibition by the time that ft is opened in November next. The gateways are already started, work on the restaurant was to begin to-day, and we understand that within the next two or three weeks the grand stand (to seat over 2,000) and the goods shed, making virtually the last of the buildings, will be under way. . A line of trees, to be planted (or transplanted) on the south side of Union street* ffiiil vastly improve

the forefront; the highway, we are assured, will not bo behindhand; there is no doubt now of Amusements Park being ready in time; Mr Tannock is already effecting miracles from the viewpoint of arboreal adornment; plots that arc bare now will be blossoming with (lowers; and it is expected that tho grounds generally will be quite presentable. The question that remains for answer is: What will the state of readiness he-inside? Most exhibitions have been workshops long after their date of opening. The best impression is not made on visitors when they are summoned to view the triumphs of art and industry, and find their view abridged at every turn by bays shut off because they are uncompleted, while their cars are assailed by tho working of hammers and saws. First impressions which are gained in those conditions can be highly damaging to an exhibition, and the exhibitors who leave their preparations to such a late hour regularly find that they have to pay dearly for their completion when work must ho done day and night. There is a big four months’ programme to be performed yet before tho New Zealand and South Sens Exhibition can bo ready, inside as well as out, by opening day. The British and Canadian Courts will be ready in time, because their fitting up will be aided by an unmatched experience. They will also bo worth going a long way to see. The New Zealand Government will ho on its mottle not to bo behindhand with its display. Some of our provincial courts, however, arc only now being planned. Tho Secondary Industries Court will be a huge affair, iu which gaps or screens would make a bad appearance on opening day. Exhibitors all over New Zealand have it in their hands to ensure that there, shall bo no backwardness to annoy first visitors. The contractors’ speed has given them ample time lor their building, but there is no time to waste. They can cause a real record to bo made by New Zealand, in connection with this Exhibition, if all their displays should bo ready for view when its gates are thrown open wide.