THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13935, 18 December 1905, Page 9

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

FO-DAY’3 CEREMONY.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. The ceremony of hiving the iion stone o’t the Exhibition building* proper, which will take place this morning, promises to bo. a truly brilliant function. The Premier will bo the central figure, ami will perform the official act, but he will have the support of quite a gathering of bis Ministerial colleague « anti civic ami municipal dignitaries from various parts of the colony.

Tb.e main building, ov Kali of Industries. as it will be designated, is designed in the Italian Renaissance style of architecture, and when erected will bo a most imposing and striking structure. It is t-o be 850 ft long, 230 ft deep and 50ft high, and will have a- substantial gallery runrung around inside, about 18ft above the ground floor. The front will extend to such a length that the two ends and the c-entrp will each face opposite streets, Chester Street, Kilmore Street and,Peterborough Street being the privileged thoroughfares. Bridges will be built over the river in n lino with each of these streets. There are to be prominent features designed t-o meet the view- from each street. The principal entrance will face Kilmore Street, and its main characteristic will be a largo portico, from which a spacious vestibule will be entered, with messenger rooms on each side.. From the vestibule . access will be gained to the grand hall, 71ft square and about 100 ft high. This hall will be crowned with a domed roof, the walls and ceilings being handsomely enriched, whilst the lighting will be obtained from six a dome light, all in .coloured glass. This feature is expected to bo espeoialy brilliant. On each side of the entrance there will be a tower, about 160 ft high, and it is intended to have electric lifts fitted in the towers to take people up to the top, from which a splendid view will be obtainable. In the grand hall- there will be three magnificent ornamental arched openings, those on ‘'either side loading into avenues, while tlio one in front will lead into a corridor, 230 ft long and 50ft wide. Immediately at the end of this corridor a large fernery will be situated, while on each side will be a cross corridor, from which the concert hall on one- side and the art gallery on the other will bo entered. The concert hall will bo about 160 ft long, 66ft wide and 45ft high. The art gallery will be 120 ft square. Returning to the grand hall, there will be two other arches, one on each side, the first giving access to : the waiting and reception room, and the other to the rooms set apart for the public, Exhibition secretary, commissioners, Ministers and private secretaries, all spacious rooms', and designed with due regal’d to economy and efficiency. In the main corridor will be the committee rooms and rooms for the Customs, Post and Telegraph, and for the Press. * The contract for the mam building is let, and a large number of men are on the ground. The buildings, with the exception of the art gallery, will bo erected in timber, and roofed with corrugated iron. Half the ground floor plates are already in position, and on o end wall is up, so that in the course of a week or two some practical idea will b© given of the scope and cnaracter of the vast structure. Tenders are now being called for f.li© concert hail, and the - tea, supper an-cl bther rooms will soon be in hand. There is also to bo a machinery hall, 306 ft by 316 ft.

THE FOUNDATION STONE,

The arrangements for the ceremony which is to take place at -tiagiey Park at eleven o’clock to-day, the laying of the foundation stone of the International Exhibition, are complete, and a very large attendance is expected. The official representatives, including the Premier and Ministers, -tne Mayor and Mayoress, and the Consuls representing foreign nations, will occupy places on a large platform erected near the foundation stone. Chains will be provided in an enclosed space on each, side of the platform for about eight hundred guests, among whom will be the members of the Exhibition committees and representatives of local bodies. The .Ministry will be represented by the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon J. Carroll, the Hon 0. H. Mills and the Hon T. Y. Duncan. The chief speech will bo made by the Premier, aa president of the Exhibition, and Sir Joseph Ward will also give a short address. The Mayor, as chairman of the Executive Committee, will receive the Ministers, and ask uie Premier to perform the ceremony of laying the stone. A handsome trowel will bo presented to the Premier by Mr James Jamieson, on behalf of the contractors. As soon as tne stone is laid a verse ,of the National Anthem will ho sung by the school children and those assembled to witness the ceremony, after which will com© the Premier’s address. The Mayor of Wellington has accepted the invitation of the Executive Committee. 'A considerable number of the Volunteers and School Cadets will take part,in the proceedings, and after the addresses there will be’a march past. The Burnham School will also attend, and the school band will assist with the Doxology and National AntJiem. Special trains have been provided to convoy Volunteer and other visitors to Christchurch, and arrangements have been made for delayed trains in the evening. In connection with the ceremony no person will bo admitted to the platform or chairs without presenting a ticket of invitation. Ticket holders must ho seated by 10.45 a.m., and school children .must bo in a reserved _ enclosure by 16.45 a.m. Carriages will be admitted only by the flag gate, Park Road and they may remain in the Park, north of* the railway siding.