WESTLAND EXHIBITION

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1923, Page 3

WESTLAND EXHIBITION

accommodation for ytsitors. ,( 111 istelllll i-ll Press.) M-itlei.s connected with the British and Intercolonial Exhibition, to be held at IBkitika from December 15th.. 1924. to February 2nd, 1921. were dis-cus-cd with tile lion. W. lliiwn e Stewnit. win) is adininisteiing the ilopartntciil cl Industries and Commerce, ni 1 resent, by Mr W. 4. Butler, of Hokitika. during Mi But lei's recent vi-it to W, lltng.f.ui. Tin- Minister ;-m a | sympathetic hearing In Mi Butler's I'c- j pi'e-cntalicns, and promised any assistance that the Department could render on similar lines to these rendered b.v the Department to the recent Industrial Exhibition held in ( liristchureli. Regarding the provision of accomodation at Hokitika for visitors to the Exhibition. Mr Butler informed a representative ri “Tin- Press” that a strong move is bring made for the erection of an up-to-date Ii re-proof betel, in anticipatii 11 of the big influx of visitor- to the Exhibition. The inquiries that have been made indicate that there b, a pre-rect c f the budding bring in readiness in time for lbe o| cuing of tbe Exhibition. It is proposed to build it in fcrro-concrete with brick facing. The number i f rooms has not been definitely fixed yet. but will ho bet-woeii filly and one hundred. FURTHER PA BTICUI.A 1!S. MINISTERIAL SUPPORT. On I'riday. litb April. Mr W. 4. But- ! r. of Hokitika, and Mr 4. W. Collins. Secret-ary. Diqvi t rmenl of Industries ami Commerce, waited on the Hon AY. IJ-nvnie Stewart at Wellington with r far-'iice to the jii'oprscd West Coast Exhibition. Mr Collins snid that Mr Butler had interviewed the Department of Industries and Commerce regarding the Exhibition which was to mark tlv opening of t-iio Olira Tuun.-I and also the 4 11-bib-e of the Westland Province. I bis project was mooted several mouths ago. Mr 'Rut! r was practically the President of the Exhibition and was seeking th(i a-sistnnro of the Department in the same way that the ludii--trial Association authorities had .sought its assi-tanco in connection with the recent Domini m Exhibition at Christchurch. The present proposal was practically the .same sort of idea, but it wn not 1 onfiued to secondary Industrie- a- it would be an iuterciiluii-

nil exhibition. Me Butler said the Government would g'-t a lot of extra railway tn,llic as a result of the Exhibition. What was facing the executive was the p< --ihlity that there might ho a detieit inii the people on the West Coast were going into the project with great i ouliib tu.c and wholeheartedly. Whereas Christchurch took many weeks to get iLoir guarantor, the Vest ( oast poowere able to get Cl .56.1 guarantee ... th_- first night's public meeting. Thov hoped to hold the Exhibition ill Holiitika in December 1923. It would need to he brought under the New Zealand Exhibition's Ait. There Were certain limiters that would need attention

si,r• 1 1 as the Local Bodies' Empowering Bill, and it would he necessary to get assistance from sum.- ol the Government Departments in regard to various measures: also in respei-i to clo-mg some of the streets of Hokitika. It wa- in such matters as these that the Department c.i' Industries and Commerce would he of much assistance. The Executive would desire to have some measure of support for the Exhibit!)!!. inasmuch as it was Intercolonial. and not confined to New Zealand manufacturers. I t was being held in a district that was new ground to a lot o ! Xcnv Zealand traders 10 get in touch with possible markets that were on the W-'st Coast. It would be a very special occasion because of the opening ot the Otira tunnel, and ai-o because Hie Exhibition would be the means of opening up new markets. Hon Minister: So tar as we are concerned. all you want is tor us to taka benevolent interest m it and get Mi Collin? to give you any he can in the same way as he did the Exhibition in Christchurch. Mr Butler said yes. they had a guarantee of about £2600. hut they aimed to o-et *3900. Having started tuen one "object was to make it a financial sneers H they t°tt!d do that in alt other respects it would be a success. Hop Minister; I suppose the Qovern,

incut will hcnclit through the railway trnliic ;t good deal! - ' Mr Butler: Cnduubtcdly. Mr Colins said that in the meantime he would approach other Departments that might he aide to render assistance to the Exhibition Committee. Hon Minister: We will he glad to do what we can to help in the way we did to the Christchurch Exhibition. Mr Butler thanked the Minister for the sympathetic hearing and the interview i lused.