THE EXHIBITION

Grey River Argus, 25 January 1906, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION

Interview with Mr & J Roberts Enthusiasm in Christnlrarcli The West Coast to lake Action Mr G. J. Roberts, on his return from Christchurch by the Otira train yesterday afternoon, was interviewed by a representative of the Argus, and expressed himself delighted with his trip. He was most cordially received by the people of Christchurch, who were much interested to learn what the West Coast intended to do in being represented at the Exhibition. Mr Roberts states that he had a long chat with Mr Munro, who assured him that he would reserve sufficient space for the West Coast exhibit, and see that it was in no way blocked out. Mr Roberts attended a meeting of the Horticultural Committee which was called specially to meet him. He received 'a most courteoiis welcome, and the matter of a fernery was fully discussed It was agreed that it was unworkable to have a special West Coast fernery court as the cost would be very great, and the erection and con trol of a ferney required the services of an expert possessed of remarkable skill. It was resolved that the West Coast should join in with the general fernery, and if possible a corner would be specially reserved for the West Coast vegetation. Mr Roberts stated the Press were mostcordial, and gave him support and applauded his proposals. Everybody, says Mr Roberts, is pleased that the West Coast have taken the matter up, and are confident that the exhibit will be a feature of the Exhibition. Mr Roberts remarked that a Press reporter asked him what the West Coast could show, and when he had finished enumerating them the reporter seemed astonished. I told him, said Mr Roberts, that we could show petroleum, gold, coal, timber, flax, minerals, etc., etc., until he was quite nonplussed. TO START WORK. Mr Roberts intends . to make a start as soon as possible, and will visit every centre on the Coast. He will call meetings of the committees already appointed, and discuss matters with them. 'Where committees have not been formed he will endeavour to get them established. The work must be set going in earnest now. THE TIMBER EXHIBIT. Mr Roberts states that the Saw millers' Association has informed him that they will most heartily make an exhibit. They intend to 1 make the! display worthy of the 1 great industry on the Coast. Timber will be exhibited rough and in •bulk,', dressed, in furniture, and everything connected with the industry that will prove of interest. THE MOVEMENT IN CHRISTCHURCH. It is pleasing to see the enthuaasm that prevails in Christchurch, and the -execntive are working well together. Everybody apeaks in high terms of the work performed by Commissioners Munro and Allen in getting the sectional committees organised. There is a committee for every department, and each ia striving to make a great success of their department. Mr Roberts states that he had a talk to the Sports committee, and recommended that chopping and sawing events should be included in the programme. THE EXHIBITION SITE. Mr Roberts is charmed with the site chosen for the Exhibition, and states nothing could be finer than to have the grand building on the ! banks of the beautiful Avon. The building is going up satisfactorily, and railway and tram lines are being laid into the grounds. TJie. dam- ' age to the building has been greatly exaggerated, and will not delay the time of completion. THE WEST COAST EXHJIBIT.. The West Coast exhibit will give prominence to its scenic beauty, and he intends to invite people to lend photos of West Coast scenes and curios. He had already received promises from all over the Colony to forward pictures of the West Coast. He intended writing to the New Zealand artists who had visited these parts to forward their pictures for exhibition. Mr Roberts is very enthusiastic,, and has his head full of ideas to make the exhibit a success. "We must make it a great success, '■'■ said Mr. Roberts, as it will 1 be the greatest advertisement the : Coast could get. The Premier, is sure that over two . millon • people will visit the Exhibition. ACCOMMODATION. Mr Roberts states that a committee is making enquiries as regards accommodation. People who have one or two rooms have been i requested to notify the committee and get them registered. Already rooms in the hotels are being engaged, and it is likely that difficulty will be experienced in providing sufficient accommodation.