THE LATE EXHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2195, 26 September 1907, Page 1

THE LATE EXHIBITION.

HOW MUCH DID IT COST? AN EXTRAORDINARY AWARD. Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. Matters in connection with the lato International Exhibition cropped up once moro in the House this afternoon. Mr. Massey, who started the hall rolling, remarked on the fact that the full particulars in connection with tho finances of the late Exhibition

had not yet been made public. Ho created some astonishment and amusement by narrating an incident which is alleged to have occurred in connection with the Exhibition awar-j ils. It’was stated, In) said, by a newspaper, from which ho quoted, that a certain cheese factory company in a North Island district, had, prior to the opening of the Exhibition, made an application for spaco for the purpose of making'air exhibit. For some reason tile (company did hot forward the exhibit, and judge, then, of its surprise, on receiving a communication stating that their exhibit had boon awarded a “highly commended” certificate. If, asked Mr. Massoy, it was.possible to get a certificate for a non-existent What was the value of thoso certificates? Mr. Gray: That was not tlio only one. Mr. Massey said’ that the member for Christchurch no doubt know what he was talking about. He hoped that before the end of the session they would have a return showing the details of revenue and expenditure in connection with the ' exhibition. Mr. Horrics said that the Exhibition began with a scandal, and it had finished with a scandal. ' 3do thought that the Government might appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the management of the Exhibition. No doubt the Canterbury people would like to hear the last of the affair, but he thought that the colony was entitled to know exactly what the Exhibition had cost the colony. A member: Wo must wait until the timber is 6old.

Mr. Horries: Well, if wo are to -judge by the way tlio towers wero taken down there there will bo no timber to sell except for firewood. Mr. Gray said that ho considered it a waste of money to Have a man employed at £BOO a year with nothing to do but to sit and smoke cigars and watch men sawing up wood that would scarcely, pay for the carting away. The Exhibition had been characterised by gross mismanagement from beginning to end. ' The Exhibition had been a magnificent success, but it was not because of but in spite of the management. The financii.il statement showed that the total expenditure in connection with the Ex-

hibition had been £200,000, of which £75,000 had beemcliaimml to-tke ConVend. The remaining £125,000 was made up of receipts from various sources. In addition, a further £15,000 had since been paid as receipts, leaving an apparent debit of £60,000. Against these, however, there were the' increased railway and Custom© receipts, each of-which was calculated to be equal to £75,000. Then there was an additional £IO,OOO on account of other departments. This made a total profit of £160,000, as against ah assumed loss of £60,000. Mr Rutherford- said-lie did not like to hear Mr. Gray’s remarks concerning “my friend Mr. Munro.” He again referred To-the fifteen miles of art muslin which he said had been imported - for '-Exhibition decoration, but which, lie said, was not allowed 'to bo used on account of its inflammable nature. A small portion only was used, and tho remainder was sold for £4l.

Sir Joseph Ward, in replying, said that when Melbourne with a population of over 400,000 held an. exhibition of no greater magnitude than the New Zealand Exhibition the loss was £237,000. The Toss in connection with the-Now Zealand Exhibition had been pat down by a certain member at £75,000, but oven assuming this to be correct look at the returns tho colony had to place against it. Complaints had been made that the details of the Exhibition finances had not been submitted, but until -the realisation of the assets was completed this could not be done. The approximate cost would be given as soon as possible. It had beeen sflatod that t-lio Exhibition began and ended with a( scandal. He did not know what - tho alleged scandal in the beginning was, but he know what was referred to as the scandal at •tho, end, and he did not think it was good" taste to refer to the ease of a man- who had been embarrassed by money-lenders in Christchurch and who, forgetting what was. due to his position, appropriated some money belonging to the Exhibition and left the colony. Pressure had been brought to- bear -oil the Government to bring buck this man because it was expected that t-lio result would be to unearth something to the detriment of till© -Exhibition management. The man had been brought back and had received " his punishment. He did not think reference to the matter was in good -taste.