THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13936, 19 December 1905, Page 7

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. A SUCCESSFUL CEREMONY. The laying of a foundation stone is not a function to be approached in a spirit of levity. Of course the broad thumb of precedent has made itself a "moving finger ” wherewith to write in imperative letters the necessity of " speaking a piece” over tho laying of the corner-stone of any public edifice of note, from a cathedral to a hotel. The function yesterday was around an unimpressive block of " buff granite from Tolonga Bay,” which tho Premier laid with dignity, a silver trowel and a smile. Ho had the assistance of four of his Ministerial colleagues in undertaking this task, and although Sir Joseph Ward was the only one to actually take part in the ceremony, the Native Minister, his confrere of the Customs, and he of the Lands lent him tho moral support of their presence.

In tho mind’s eye, the Exhibition already looms large, and although- its ultimate glory at present emphasises itself only by a few distressingly plainly unplaned timbers which-rear themselves in isolated ugliness, yesterday’s ceremony had a prophetic importance which, must be realised. It was the materialising />f a "Castle in Spain, the signature to a promissory note, uio head-line to an incident) the engagement of a debutante, or one of a hundred equally irrelevant similes. On paper the Exhibition lias -always been a thing of beauty; after yesterday’s enthusiastic endorsement it promises to be a joy for " the ever ” of at least the guaranteed six months. The prophecy of its foundation stone bids- f-air to fill the promise of its. performance. Tho Premier is not a seer, but he has a certain vogue a-s a shrewd foresee-! - of possibilities, and when he cheerfully prognosticated that the undertaking he was christening would ha a great and unqualified success, he comforted those <1 his listeners who are .accustomed to •lean unhesitatingly upon his infallibility with an exceeding -great comfort. The atmosphere, both climatic ;-,nd social, was certainly such as to suggest that his freely-expressed' f anticipation would at least be fostered locally" uit b all the energy that can be carried to the task.

The “castle,” though it is in the air, is on paper, too, and for months men will bo constructing tilings' of beauty from charts which, to the layman eye, are merely a tangle of lines, ‘‘ each and such to the inch.” Even now jit is evident that tho castle is more than a pie-crust promise. Some of the ribs of the palace are already waiting for the palace, a great crane is ready to* feed all manner of materials to the builders, huge stacks of ,timber have been piled up to satiate tho appetite of the carpenters. An iron road runs right to the site, and locomotives, snorting with importance, will bo daily shrieking that the Exhibition, with the march of time, is coming, coming, as sure as next spring. It will not, need only the “weekly review” to remind the people that the international undertaking is looming up in the future. There will be a rush of- traffic, a roar "of .engines,a hammering and a general banging with purely material weapons to keep the city from forgetting that history is a-making at Hagley Park. Of course, at this stage, when merely the foundation stone is set, the casual person is apt to imagine that the vista as bald, but that is not so. For months past, while the liver has been leisurely ' flowing • past . the stately Armagh Street Bridge, in the nonchalant way that the Avon hag, men have been bestirring themselves valiantly. Where once the wild cocksfoot readily held sw r ay, , order—and order with just a sufficient neglige touch—has been established. Artists, they were truly artists 1 travelling northwards, have transformed the old-time landscape. A broad white track meanders beside the peaceful stream, and the white road, soft to the foot, is coolly flanked, with grass of vivid hue, fairly close-cropped, like the orthodox lawn, but with one of tho primness of the tennis-court or bowling green. The land flows away in soothing undidations. On the left the oak and the elm, the ash and the birch have healthy trunks set in mounds and hollows prettily graded. Yesterday, in the summer sunlight, they reared a feast of green, good enough to glut the most [esthetic pa brier, and “downstairs” they wj ;glit an equally agreeable pattern of light and shade. But this was only one element of the beauty of the riverbank. On the right of the ooisy path the weeping willows bent in sweet sadness over their reflections in the river, and young arum lilies promised blooms which would nod at themselves in the smooth waters. ' Toi-tois, too, and flax were there even now’ ready to add wild beauty to an English scene. Giant willows _ made genial shade for lycopode, and in a couple of nooks tree-ferns and humbler brethren nestled snugly. On a couple of islands won from tne park, juvenile rhododendrons were freshly leaved, and already one had been tempted into bloom, giving an indication of the wealth of bloom which the plantation would display next year, wonderful native grasses, with long scientific names, fringed the river’s lip, and made a picture dear even now to the heart that loves nature actually natural, “ on the shell.” It is a wise dispensation that the two classes of beauty have been placed side by side. Some people can appreciate both, can spare an eye for each as they walk.along the white track. Others can suit themselves. If a man’s fancy runs to tho purely majestic,, he can. close his right eye as he walks northward. If his love goes to Bohenriauism, he can shut his left eye and take in the toi-toi and the flax, the ferns and the grasses. , This is easy, it is simple, it Involves a very slight exertion of an eye-lid. It is strange to note the contrast between pretty order and quaint disorder. The shaven grass, of course, comes te an end, as all things do, and it is immediately fronted by the tousled heads of flowering cocks-, foot. Tho eye reaches past this precious grass, which at present is about the sole topic of conversation on Banks Peninsula, and takes in a forest of pines, an impenetrable growth. The old inhabitant knows that tho grove is limited, but to the stranger the trees appear'to be a forest stretching away for any number of miles. Crossing through the hand of English trees to the open park, the spectator has new scenes of loveliness wherever he cares to look. A sea of variegated green rocks against a shore of trees, breaking into manyhued masses. Over _ the ridges of forest, in one direction peeps a spur of tho Port Hills, warm brown and light green, charmingly plain, like a soubretto, and another quarter of tho sky-line is broken by the alps, vividly white against the blue of tire heavens, coldly beautiful, like a marble Milo. Then there is Victoria Lake, with its backgrounds of oaks and pines. Everywhere there is a- study in shades, a gamut of colour running from the peagreon of the young willow to tho raven iivjt of tho old pine there is a glory of

perspective in foliage, which gives tlio eye more than it can readily absorb. The admirer attempting to “ take his pick ” in this banquet of wholesome delights' has the dilemma of the smallboy who is confronted with the multifarious menu ..of an epicure’s dinner. Ho has to take the dainties as they oonio, and trust to instinct for correctness. Winter has to come before the exhibition will bo opened. Frost will whiten the grass, the trees will spread a gaunt network against the sky, hut this will be merely an interlude for a greater glory. Th© scene, enchanting enough now, will have fresh lustre, will spread new charms for the multitudes that will ooine seeking recreation aiid instruction. A palace of marvels will rise majestically from the sea of grass. A gigantic hall of industries will invite the curious to admire _ the ingenuity of man, and th© architecture, in the Italian renaissance style, will not shock the susceptibilities of oven the most fastidious visitors. Tho front will face three streets, Chester, Kilmore and Peterborough, and bridges will load to tho attractive building. The main portico will be flanked with towera, soaring to a height of 150 ft, and electric lifts will raise the people to the topmost perch, so that they may have a comprehensive glimpse of the entrancing panorama. With a concert hall, furnished with a grand organ, an ait gallery hung with pictures from master brushes, with all the equipment of arches and corridors which go to make a noblo mansion, the people will have solid reason to anticipate passing some memorable j hours at tho Exhibition, memorable apart- all question of the educative value of the display. At night the grounds will be gaily lighted, the river, with its bridges_ and boats, with its hanks bedecked with ail manner of pretty plants, will be a dream of loveliness. The scone-, merely from tho aesthetic standpoint, will have a value which will make the Exhibition well worth fully realising. By yesterday morning the citizens of Christchurch had begun to realise that the Exhibition was on its way to become a live thing rather than_ a theoretical entity. They had been inclined to imagine that November, 1906, tho time announced for the opening, was too far away to be a subject of' present consideration, but the nows that tho foun-dation-stone was to be laid mad© them swiftly realise that the project, embracing tho nations, was more than a matter of talk. The Premier was in town, and he, with the support of other Ministers, was to “ kick-off ” in a gam© that was, with good reason, expected to bring renown to tho colony. It is a matter of common knowledge that the Premier has a habit of making the elements amenable to his wishes, and yesterday morning Mr Seddon had a day made .to order. The sky was as bright as blue and gold could make it, and there was -just enough of a cool breeze astir to set the flags of all _ respectable nations' cheerfully fluttering. Consequently, the town determined to' take a stand in the park and_ see the Exhibition get its' official christening. Everybody who had any claim, rightly or wrongly to be styled anybody, took good care to ho early in the-field and peg out the spots' that would give the best view of the happening. Many felt that they were called to enjoy th© pride of place, hut comparatively few could make their title good to the best land. This was in a sacred enclosure, to which a ticket was the passport,_ a girdle around the precious foundation, stone, a handsome piece of buff granite from Tonga Bay, the first of its kind used in Christchurch. Commanding this inner circle was a panoplied platform, on which the highest of the high were privileged to sit, to admire and he admired. . , At eleven o’clock a cheer signalled the approach of the Premier, and _ a minute later ho reached tho canopied platform, accompanied by Mrs Seddon, Mrs Bean and Miss Ruby Seddon. Sir Joseph Ward, .the Hon C. H. Mills, the Hon J. Carroll, the Hon T. Y. Duncan and Mr T. E; Donne (Commissioner) arrived a couple of minutes after Mr Seddon. The Premier took his place on the day’s throne with the Garrison Band playing “ Red, White and Blue,” and he was greeted by a representative gathering of the city’s leading citizens, with the Mayor (Mr C. M. Gray) and other members of Exhibition Executive in the forefront. Among the occupants of the dais were Mr T. W. Hklop (Mayor of Wellington), Mr Justice Dennkton, Colonel Bauchop, the Hon 0. 0. Bowen, the Rev Dr Erwin, the Rev S. Lawry, Mr T. E. Donne, Mr R. Allan and Mr G. S. Munro (Executive Commissioners), and the Consuls for France, Germany, Norway and Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, United States, Denmark and Belgium, as well as members of th© House of Representatives from all parts of Canterbury and other provinces. Bouquets were given to Mrs Seddon and to Sir Joseph Ward, for Lady Ward, by the Exhibition Committee, th© Doxology was sung, and then the Mayor rose to commence the formal business of the day. THE MAYOR’S SPEECH. Mr Gray said that ho desired, as chairman of the Executive Committee, to welcome the Premier, the Minkters and all those who had gathered to asskt( by their presence at the important function of laying the foundation-stone of the New Zealand International Exhibition. A .Tittle over a year ago the idea of holding an exhibition in tho spacious Park had been brought before the citizens of Christchurch by the Premier. A large and representative General Committee had been set ap, numerous Sectional Committees organised and - an efficient executive formed. Executive Commissioners were appointed to push the scheme forward. After a large amount of preliminary work had been accomplished, the contract for the main building had been let, and that day the citizens of Christchurch and the visitors had assembled to participate in the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of th© largest, and, he confidently hoped, the most successful exhibition ever held in the colony. In conclusion, he asked the Premied to lay the stone. THE CEREMONY. Mr J. Jamieson, on behalf of the contractors, presented a silver trowel to the Premier, and Mr Seddon, armed with his dainty weapon, approached hk task light heartedly. The stone, which was to be the foundation of a vast structure, hung lonely from the tackle of a pulley -apparatus. It was pretty, but unpretentious, and it bore a simple message: “ Tins stone was laid by the Right Hon the Premier, R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D., President of the New Zealand International Exhibition, December 18, 1905. J. and W. Jamieson, Ltd., Contractors for tho Main Building. J. C. Maddison, F.R.1.8.A., Architect.” The Premier handled tho trowel with a skill acquired by long practice. He spread the mortar, and the foundation piece was lowered on to a block. The mason used a spirit level to see if his handiwork, was well done, and then announced with, a sense of responsibility; “ I declare this foundation stone well and truly laid.” Frequent use has made tho words commonplace enough, but yesterday they had an importance

which gave them exceptional dignity. The trowel given to the Premier will make an admirable addition to the number of similar tools in Mr Seddon’« possession. It k tastefully designed, has a handle of carved ivory, bearinj the Premier’s monogram. The inscrip tion on tho silver blade reads: —“ Pro sented to the Right Hon the Premier, R. J. Seddon, PiC., LL.D., president ol the New Zealand International Exhibition, by J. and W. Jamieson, Limited, contractors for the main buildings, dn the occasion of the laying of the founda-tion-stone of the New Zealand International Exhibition. Christchurch, December 18, 1905.” Mr Seddon surveyed hk work with satisfaction, and then delivered hk official address. THE PREMIER’S SPEECH.

The Premier, who was received with applause, first read the following telegram from tho Governor : —“ Right Hon tho Premier, Christchurch.—l much regret cannot he present with you to-day upon interesting occasion of laying foundation stone. Hearty, good wishes for progress of work and future success of New Zealand International Exhibition.—Plunket.” The Premier said that h© would Have been, pleased if the stone could hav© been laid by th© Governor, but circumstances had made that impossible. His Excellency had not been able to be, present in person, though he was certainly pw sent in spirit. Tho vast assemblage gathered- around him demonstrated tho keen interest that was taken in tho event, and showed, also, that th© laying of the foundation stone of the Ex< hibition was regarded as' a national event and one which.would b© of lasting benefit to the colony and the Empire. • The day marked a great ©vent in the history of Canterbury and the colony. Not far from where he stood there was a spot called the “Pilgrims’ Corner,” where the . pioneers who arrived by the first four ships had camped in the early days 1 * of provincial history. In their highest flights of fancy those pilgrim fathers could never have foreseen what- was occurring that day. That Canterbury, in a short space of fifty -years, should . be able to hold an international exhibition was a splendid tribute to -those hardy pioneers who hid faced so many hardships and had built so well. Canterbury was grateful to those pioneers* and would ever remember their efforts. (Applause.) 'Canterbury, .moreover, was not unmindful of the - help of Divine Providehcej and paid homage ■ for the blessings bestowed. . In connection with the Exhibition the Native race must not be forgotten. -The Maoris were represented on the platform by the Hon J. Carroll, Native Minister, who was a blending of the two races. (Applause.) Hie Middle 1 Island , had been bought from the Natives for a sum of £2OOO, subject tc certain reservations, and th© genero*' eity and hospitality cf the Natives com stituted a claim which the pakehaa would not be slow to recognise. (Applause.) Coming to the Exhibition itself; me Premier said that when ha bad been preparing the Financial Statement of 1903, hk secretary T. Hamer) had called ,hk attention to the fact that it was a’ long time since there had been an exhibition in the colony. He had looked into the matter, and brought it before the Cabinet, and it decided that the time was opportune, and ; that ; Christchurch/ sliould be the site. (Applause.) Both Houses of tho Legislature : had approved' of the proposal, and had agreed to provide the necessary means, and great interest had been taken in the project throughout the colony. Hagley Park as a site was unequalled in the colony, and upon that point there had been not the slightest difference of opinion, a thing almost unprecedented in the history of colonial exhibitions. The idea of holding an exhibition had been first conceived by Prince Albert, the ' tonsort of Queen Victoria, and the first exhibition had been held at the Crystal Palace in 1851, Exhibitions had since followed in vari- , ous parts of the civilised world, and mankind had profited by their being so held. New Zealand had held an international exhibition in Dunedin in 1865, an exhibition of exhibits for thi Vienna Exhibition had been held in ■ 1873, and in 1882 there had been held the exhibition known as Jouhert anc Twopeny’s. In 1885 an industrial exhibition had been held in Dunedin, th< total number of visitors being 625,428, or about 89 per cent, of the population at that date: In 1889 had come the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibit tion in Dunedin, when the, attendance had' reached a total about equal tc the population. Since then smaller exhibitions had been held in various parts of the colony. It was estimated that the attendance at the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1906 would ■ bo not less than' 200 per cent oi the population. The object of th« Exhibition was to collate and place on view what had been don© in the shape of manufactures, products, art and education, and by so doing to advance th< interests of the colony and of the Em< pire. The exhibition of stock should be the greatest ever held south of the Equator. If the show were supported as he hoped it would be, people from all parts of the world would gather to see what had been done in New Zealand. In the interests of the agricultural and pastoral industries, he hoped that the opportunity would be take? advantage of to the full. The Exhibition would mean further development and would promote industrial energy. In opening tile St Louis Exhibition, President Roosevelt had said that exhibitions were the timekeepers of progress. The New Zealand International Exhibition would he tho outward and vkible sign to the world of the colony’s progress in fifty years, and would mark its advance towards* an'improved and higher civilisation. The_ Exhibition would give an impetus to higher education, and to secondary, technical and primary education. Tho value from the educational standpoint could not be over-estimated, and in that respect alone the Exhibition would warrant the colony’s best effort. The Exhibition would have an organ unsurpassed in the colony, and probably south of the Equator, and the instrument would bo left to Christchurch for all time, his, earnest hope being that the city would provide a suitable place for it, where it would always be available for th© public pleasure and. instruction. Vocal and instrumental concerts would bo a feature of the .Exhibition, and would be' an attraction to thq" thousands of visitors. They would also give the Executive Committee _ an opportunity to bring together vocalists of high reputation 'within and without the colony. It was anticipated that friendship towards the undertaking would bo dkplayed by other countries. There were tho Mother Country, America, Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Canada, Japan, the Australian Commonwealth and other colonies, which would be represented with mutual advantage; and New Zealand’s genial climate, fertility of soil, natural mineral wealth, manufactures and agricultural and pastoral potentialities would , bo demonstrated. Ho would go back for fifty years, when the population of the colony, exclusive of Maoris, was 45,000. In Canterbury there were only 6000 people. There were now 160,000 people in Canterbury, and in the whole colony 900,000. The colony’s trade was represented by £27,000,000, and the colony’s wealth was represented by £270,000,000 or £3OB per head of population,, tho highest in the world. The capital value of land in Canterbury was £41,700,000. The province had 2,500,000 acres in cultivation. It had 4,000,000

sheep,-130,000 cattle, and 55,000 horses. Those results redounded to tlie credit of those-who helped to bring them about. There was a bright future before the colony. The ceremony that day was but a mile-stone on the. way. The people were .levelling the ground preparatory to laying the foundation of a vast nation.-' The ceremony, important as it was, was relatively-only a passing incident.- Everything seemed to portend to the great success of the International Exhibition. (Applause.) It was perhaps too late to demonstrate at the Exhibition the advantage of the utilisation of natural power in the interests ot industry. But no time must be lost. -Something must be done. They could not allow that matter to rest if industries wore to prosper. They must all look forward with pleasure to another event, namely, the turning ot the sod of the tunnel that would lot daylight through from the bright and happy east to the cheerful west,.with which they were well acquainted. (Cheers.) Mother and daughter would then be brought together, he continued, in further refer- . luce to the Midland Railway, and they would be bound together with a cord of steel, never again to bo separated, but to work out a great destiny, to the good of colony and the advantage of civilisation. (Applause.) It was within reasonable probability that the trade of this part of the colony would assume such propor- . tibns that the present shipping ar■'rangomehtstwould hot bo sufficient, and, as an auxiliary to Lyttelton, a ■great canal from Sumner to Christ-' church would ho necessary, and steamers of the Gothic class might bo lying at the .wharf at Linwood. (Applause,) Ho might be invited again to come to Christchurch, to take part in the turn's ing of the first sod of the Sumner Canal. (Applause.) Returning to the Exhioitibn, the Premier said.-that, the • enthusiasm -thrown into the work augured well for its success. The project had been taken up in all -parts of the colony, with the true New Zealand spirit. The result would reward those who, .from purely patriotic motives, had devoted their best energies to promote that national undertaking. ■ It was-- a colonial work, - supported at the inception by Canterbury experience, organisation and administration. Ho thanked the Commissioners and the members of the various committees. As head of the Government lie thanked them, one and all. The: Government felt sure that ; , they'would continue their labours, and when.the Exhibition was opened there . would be another gathering unsurpassed in the colony. He announced .that the Exhibition would open on November 1, 1906, and would close in Easter week, 1907; and would illustrate to the consuming nations of they world New Zealand" as a food-producing country, especially' in respect to frozen meat and dairying industries, and. as an importer of £13,000,000 worth of goods, threefourths of .-which were manufactured. That should commend itself especially to the attention of the Mother Country and other nations. " After referring to the splendid auspices under which the ceremony had been conducted, he said he: felt sure that the building whose foundation stone he had just laid, and / the other buildings proposed to. be built, would be found to be inadequate and."would have to be enlarged. If that proved to be so, the cost of the enlargement would be borne by the colony. (Applause.) He had almost omitted to refer to one subject that ought to be dealt with. He had not said anything in regard to manly sport, but he could cay at that point that the colony’s advancement in athletic games was demonstrated by its footballers in England. . (Cheers.) _ They were . marking the superiority that had caused consternation, and, at the same time, admiration ■ in the Mother Country. (Applause.) The mishap that had happened the previous day—(laughter) ■ —was one of those incidents that occurred wherever football was played. But he said that the grit with which the colony’s boys fought the battle had added lustre to their achievements, and mad©' the colony think all the more of them.' (Applause.): ’ Ho showed how Now Zealand’s natural adyantages would attract many people from Australia and other parts of the world, and, returning again to the Exhibition, said that it was unique in as far as it had no proprietary elements or interests. There was no one to make money out of it. (Hear, hear.) It was simply an example of further State development,the State being assisted" by the people. It would be an industrial congress, an opportunity in which to the manufactures within the colony and gauge its strength outside. He a!so_ referred to the expansion of colonisation, which, he said, would lead to higherideals, to truer and brighter lives, and to solid prosperity, _ and older nations would help in the noble work -people - here' sought to achieve. “ Stimulated with the great desire to do good and to help our colony,” he concluded, “ the noblest sentiment will prevail. We start on the New Year a great enterprise, and we commemorate at the same time an event that 'ever(stands to the lasting credit of the Pilgrim Fathers, and we look back , with pride to the efforts and forethought of that hardy band of pioneers. ! The reservation of this land, which, fifty- years afterwards, is available, stands out in bold relief, and entitles them to our warmest consideration. - They have done that which will be of lasting advantage to our colony. They have proved themselves worthy of the country, and the race from which they sprang. ; I commend this Exhibition to your favourable consideration, and i nope ‘ that you will all work energetically and har- ' moniously together so 4s to insure the Exhibition being representative of ourselves, representative of our prosperity, and truly representative of V New .Zealand, which is destined to be a great and glorious country.” (Cheers.) At the Premier’s call three ringing cheers were given for the Pilgrim Fathers. At the-close of the Premier’s speech,

the Mayor read a telegram from the Hon W. Hall-Joues, in which the Minister of Public Works expressed regret j for his inability to bo present at the 1 ceremony. The Mayor also announced I that the Dunedin committee had tels- ‘ graphed conveying hearty congratulations, and stating that the Mayor of the city was sorry that ho had, unavoidably, to bo absent from Christchurch. SIR JOSEPH WARD’S SPEECH. Sir Joseph Ward, who was received with cheers, said :■ —Mr Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, —To-day is truly a , great . day in the history _ of the colony, because this Exhibition is not a local, but in the strictest sense a national, one, and in that light it is regarded throughout the colony, and will he so regarded beyond our shores. If I want justification for this I have only to direct your attention to the consular flags floating from the flagpoles circling round the .British Ensign. Those flag's represent America, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Norway and Sweden and Denmark. (Applause). While we expect many thousands of our own inhabitants to patronise the Exhibition, it must not bo forgotten that a great oleiul depends upon other countries exhibiting largely h-er-e, and people from those countries coming here, who will add to the great value educationally, commercially and nationally of this Exhibition. International exhibitions are educational; one can learn more at am up-to-date international exhibition inan can be learned in yeahs of travel. From a commercial point of view they are of the greatest value. Object lessons of the progress of other parts of the world in manufactures and arts are the most effective incentives to progress. Hints and ideas are obtained of almost 1 inestimable value, and on the other hand the natural products of this remarkable country are an object lesson co countries less favoured from a climatic point of view. The conditions under which, wo live in New Zealand are a. revelation and an agreeable surprise to the people of many of the older countries of the world. The progress of the . development of the Exhibition is satisfactory, anti as far as one can judge, the prospects of success, are bright indeed. Applications for space are coming in freely, and there seems little doubt that more' extensive accommodation for exhibitors will be required than was originally anticipated. The - total quantity of space applied for to date amount® to over 15,000 square feet. Instructions have been forwarded to the. High_ Commissioner for the colony to obtain for the art gallery a number of loan pictures from noted collections, and also pictures for sale from the principal studios of the United Kingdom and tne Continent of. Europe., It is intended to make the concert hall an attractive and an educational' feature of, the Exhibition. Organ recitals will he arranged, and many other musical entertainments of the highest type. The electric lighting of, the Exhibition Buildings and grounds will bo-’ sometnmg on a scale hitherto not before attempted within the colony.. In fact, I know of no; development of the Exhibition which is not proceeding on satisfactory lines. (Applause). '■l want ‘‘the .people" of Christchurch and . the whole colony to fully understand and appreciate the fact that the New Zealand International Exhibition is a colonial; undertaking, and one , in which the whole colony is interested. Christchurch has. been selected as the'place in which, to hold this Exhibition because of its wonderful adaptability for the purpose. It is gratifying to find the capable and graceful way in. which the people of this city have taken up the responsibilities in connection with developing the Exhibition, and I am sure no one will grudge them the credit of the success which I feel is assured. I look forward to the most satisfactory results "to the whole colony from this ;Exhibition; 1" am sure it will be a striking historical landmark in our colonial records, and one of which the city and citizens of Christchurch will always he proud. Invitations to attend and participate have Been issued- to all the different nations of the world, and I anticipate acceptance in the majority of . cases. Financially I believe this Exhibition will _ prove to be a success. . It ‘ has been ■carried out upon sound business lines. Judging from the history of past exhibitions, it is hot an overestimate to predict that there will be a million and a half of people passing through the turnstiles’. It must .be remembered that, in calculating the attendance - at the. Exhibition, people make repeated visits, because they will not be able to see all that is open for their inspection in one or two or three visits. It will also bo a great incentive to the tourist traffic in our colony. The Tourist Department is now well organised, and is of inestimable benefit through the widespread information it disseminates. Our New Zealand footballers are now giving the colony a world-wide reputation, and the New Zealand International Exhibition will be one of the /coping-stone® upon which the edifice of an increased reputa-, tion 'and importance of our colony will be erected. A prominent feature from the rural point of view will be the agricultural show. The Commissioners sent me a memorandum recommending that this should be held, and my colleagues very heartily gave their assent to the extent of a subsidy of £IOOO. (Hear, hear). Agriculturalists in New Zealand should take this matter up heartily. It will give them opportunity of a world-wide show, as agriculturalists from all parts of the glebe will be present at this Exhibition. I would like to acknowledge, as Minister in charge of the t Exhibition, the splendid work that has been done by the Executive Commissioners, Messrs Munro and Allan, whose assiduity and soundness of practical arrangement will be recognised as the development.of the Exhibition unfolds itself to the view of the public at large. In addition, I would like to pay a tribute to the local committees whose voluntary work has been of the very greatest value, and 1 fervently -express the hope that the fixhibitlon will be in ©very way a success, as I am confident will be the case. (Applause). MARCH PAST OF VOLUNTEERS. When Sir Joseph Ward’s discourse had terminated, he. called for three cheers for the Premier, and the vast crowd of people hastened to give a warm response. A request for a similar compliment to Sir Joseph Ward was also heartily honoured, and Mrs Seddon was also remembered in the distribution of plaudits. Mr Seddon invited cheers for the committees who were furthering the interests of the Exhibition and the multitude warmly recognised the efforts of the gentlemen who have devoted much time and patience to ensure a happy finale for the international undertaking. The Mayor and Mrs Gray received the next instalment of cheers, at the call of Sir Joseph Ward, and the Mayor then said that this concluded the formal part of the ceremony. A “march past,” by Volunteer troops, ranging from veterans to cadets, brought the programme to a close. The soldiers, with their accoutrements flashing, made a bravo show, a spectacle that appealed strikingly to the hosts of spectators. The principal officers’ present were:—Colonel Bauchop, Colonel Snow, Colonel Dav and Colonel Smith. The parade state was:—E Battery, 3 officers and 69 men; Engineers, 2 and 41; Lyttelton Navals, 1 and 3o: N Battery 1 and 41; North Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 3 and 20; Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, 2 and 14; Gust Mounted

Rifles, 2 and 20; Malvern ' Mounted Rifles, 3 and 22; Ellesmere Mounted Rifles, .1 and 11; South Canterbury Mounted Rifles. 1 and 20; Geraldine Mounted Rifles, 20; South Canterbury Garrison Band, 25. hirst North Canterbury Infantry Battalion—Staff, 6; City Guards, 2 and 26; College Rifles, 3 and 24; City Rifles, 3 and 38; Imperial Rifles, 2 and 27; Rangiora Rifles, 2 and 13. Second Battalion —Staff, 4; Sydenham Rifles, 3 and 6; Civil Service Rifles, 2 and 14; Highland Rifles, 2 and 7; Native Rifles, 1 and 23. South Canterbury Rifle Battalion—Staff, 2; Timaru Port Guard's. 2 and-30; Timaru . Rifles, 2 and 30; Timaru City Rifles, ] and 28; Ashburton Rifles, 3 and 38; Geraldine Rifles, 1 and 20; Tomuka Rifles, 2 and 28; Ashburton Guards, 3, and 30. Christchurch Cycle Corps, 1 and 13; Christ’s College Cadets, I and 39; Boys’ High School Cadets, 2 and 83; Queen’s Cadets, 1' and 15. The North Canterbury Public School Cadets had a total strength of 467, including officers. The brigade was under the charge of Colonel Loveday, who had with him as acting-adjutant Lieutenant Garten, Captain Owen leading No. 1 Battalion, Major Sandford commanding No. -2 Battalion, and Major Smith. The schools represented were;— -Sydenham 40, Kaiapoi 40, West Christchurch District High School 34, Addington 43, Rangiora 35, Hampstead 44, Lyttelton 55, East Christchurch 33, Richmond 24, St Albans 16, New Brighton 31, Ashburton 36. ■ The decorations and furnishing were supplied by Messrs A. "J. White and Co., and the arrangements wore in the hands of the Ceremonial Committee. Among those who worked especially hard .to make the function a success were Messrs R. C. Bishop (Chief Marshal), A. Kaye (chairman of Ceremonial Committee), J. A. Frostiok (chairman Ceremonial and Entertainment Committee), and E. J. Right-on (secretary). Vhe members'of the Ceremonial and Entertainment Committee acted as ushers and ticket-takers, and they were ably assisted by members of the Fire Brigade. THE EXECUTIVE. The following is the Christchurch executive; — Mr C. M. Gray (Mayor), iuon H. F. Wigram, Hon C. Louisson, Messrs A. W. Beavon, T. J. M’Bride, J. A. Frostick, T. N. Horsley, H. Overton, W. Minson, R. Buchanan, G. R. Hart, W. W. Charters, James Jamieson, R. C. Bishop, F. H. Barns, J. L. Sooth, J. F. Grierson, W. Recce, H. Quane, R. Allan, G. G. Stead, Gilbert Anderson, E. W. Roper, A. Kaye, -A. E. G. Rhodes, J. Barr, J. C. Wilkin, J. G. Moore, R. E. M’Dougall, J. R. T-riggs and H. W. Bishop, Dr Levinge, Dr Jennings, Lieu-tenant-Colonel Bauchop and Professor R. J. Scott.