THE DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8333, 9 April 1889, Page 3

THE DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

The members of the local Dnnedin exhibition committee were invited to meet-Dr. Hocken, of Dunedin, yesterduy morning, lint owing to the short notice given only the Mayor (Mr Swan), and Messrs M. K. Miller, A. Hamilton, and T. Sidey were present. The Mayor apologised for the very short notice given, bnfc explained that it was unavoidable, as Dr. Hocken had to leave Napier in the afternoon. In reply to a question, Mr Anderson, secretary to the committee, said that Hawke's Bay sent 134 exhibits to the Wellington exhibition, and 32 general exhibits and 29 wool exhibits to Melbourne. Dr. Hocken said he anticipated a fine show of wools from Hawkes Bay. He had seen some splendid samples at Auckland, but was told there that he would see better as he came south. Mr Miller said the samples in Auckland were doubtless merinos, while the Hawke's Bay wools would go mere into longwools, our rich land suiting heavy sheep better than the merino. Wool would be the first exhibit, and timber the next. Good samples of grain could be shown, though Hawke's Bay was shamefully behind in grain growing, considering that it had so much of the finest wheat land, while il could net be beaten for barley. The Mayor said that not very much had been done by the local committee. The secretary had received a few promises of exhibits, but a thorough canvass had not beeu made yet. Dr. Hocken said a few explanatory remarks might be of interest. The exhibition was not a local affair, but a colonial o»e, and was intended to celebrate the jubilee of the colony and to show the progress made by the colony in fifty years. Mr Roberts, of Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co., was the President, and was giving a great deal of time to the work. He was glad to say that other centres were now heartily supporting the exhibition, though at first there was somewell, he would hardly say jealous feeling —but regret that they had not been first in the field. [Mr Miller : Waipawa for instance.] Well, no, Waipawa, had not complained, nor even Hastings. (Laughter.) As to the financial aspect of the atfair, it had been decided to raise £15,000 iv £1 shares, of which £12,000 had been subscribed. It was hoped that the balance would be taken up in Christchurcb, Wellington, and elsewhere— the shares were open co anyone in Napier. He did not put them forward as a speculative investment— they were taken up for the good of the colony. Even workmen were taking share's in Dunedin. Then the Government had given £10,000. This seemed to have given general satisfaction, though at first a few seemed inclined to think that in the present state of the finances of * the colony that was too large a sum. But he regarded it as an excellent financial investment for the colony, as agreat number of visitors would be attracted here and New Zealand would become better known, 'i he site was an excellent one of nine or fen acres on the reclaimed land at Dunedin. The building for general exhibits would be of wood and iron. The committee were desirous of making •a great feature of the art department, and had endeavored to secure the collection of pictures exhibited at Melbourne, but when it was found that they were valued at £200,000, and that it would cost. J'4ooo for insnr.ince alone, the cominissioneisfelt that they could not compass that. But Sir Francis Bell, Sir Walter Buller, and even the Prince of Wales, were taking an active part in securing a good many valuable pictures. He felt glad of that, for the exhibition of such works would cultivate a taste for art among the young people of the colony. Of course the owners would not consent to lend snch pictures unless a fireproof building were provided, and it had been decided to-erect a concrete building 100 ft. Ion? by 49ft. wide, at a cost of about £2000. Another important teature would be a sort of travelleis' bureau, in which would be exhibited 1 photographs, watercolors, and oil paintings of the colony, and there would be always someone in attendance ready to give visitors full information as to the best routes of travel, and so on, and so insure a stream of visitors through the colony. Another department, of which he was chairman, would be connected with the early history of the colony, aud Maori and South Sea relics and curios. It was intended to bring together from all parts of the colony old historical documents, letters, &c, also specimens of the fast-disappearing Maori carving, and if possible a Maori house, and one or two Maori families working flax, and so on. People in Hawke's Bay might not be much interested in such a Maori exhibition, but visitors to the colony, and the southern colonists, would bp giad to se? it. As regarded conveyance, the Union and Northern steamship companies had agreed to carry exhibits to and from Dunedin free of cost, and no doubt other carryiug companies would do the same. He could promise on the part of the Commissioners that great care would be taken with all exhibis He was glad to say that other parts of tne colony were entering into the affair with zest, and lie hoped Hawke's Bay would not be behind. As to expenses, the cost of the exhibition would be so great that the Commissioners were obliged to ask the local committees to bear local expenses, but these should be limited to a few shillings for the postage of circulars. Mr Miller said that was not the experience of the past here. Hawke's Bay people were rather lazy, and required to be personally canvassed, and. that cost money. Was there any further liability on the shares except £1 ? Dr. Hocken replied in the negative. If the exhibition proved such a wonderful Buccess as to leave a large surplus— which he did not anticipate— it would be for the shareholders to say whether they would divide it amongst themselves or devote it to some good purpose. The shareholders had no advantage in the shape of free admission, or in any other way— their only advantage was the creditable and honorable one ot assisting in a good work. Mr Miller hoped that a practical programme would be drawn up for the wool exhibits, and in the hands of Mr Roberts he felt sure that that would be the case. But full details should be made known at the earliest possible date. Dr. Hocken said that would be borne in mind. Mr Miller asked whether exhibits would be insured against damage ? Dr. Hocken said they would be insured against loss by fire, and he presumed that if anything were damaged by fire the ' damage would be paid for by' the coin- . panics. But in some cases it would be difficult to measure damage— a picture i damaged was a picture spoilt. . Mr Miller said there was also damage ! in transit, or from other causes than fire, i to be considered. t . Dr. Hocken said he would take a note i of that and see what could be done. In k the case of pictures, he hoped that great '; care would be exercised in selection. He - suggested that a sub-committee should be , appointed to go through all pictures sent ) in, and select only those really worth i sending. The Commissioners did nut , want a lot, of 'trash sent in, and it wouM ; look very ungracious to send back or put r out of sight inferior exhibits. ; ;'; Mr Hamilton remarked that if such a • grab-committee were appointed it was to

« hoped that for their own sakes the s lames of the members would be kept I eoret. (Laughter.) ' Dr. Hocken lioped that with all picture* >r objects having historical associations a all description would be sent, written on strong parchment paper, and attached to the objecls. Mr Milter asked whether, if shares were subscribed in Napier, the money could be used for local expenses? Dr. Hocken did not think there wonld be any objection to. that, always bearing in mind the necessity for strict economy. After some further conversational discussion of uo interest, Dr. Hockeu thanked the members present for their attendance, and the meeting ended.