THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 58, 9 March 1906, Page 2

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

MARYBOROUGH REPRESENTA-

TION

ENTHUSIASTIC PUBLIC

MEETING

DECISION TO APPLY FOR SPACE

About thirty gentlemen; representative of the whole district, assembled in the Blenheim Council Chambers last evening, at the invitation of the local Executive, to discuss the question ot Marlborough's representation at the International Exhibition. His Worship the Mayor. (Mr E*,H.. Penny) presided , ; , ,-.. •.,.. The Mayor briefly explained the purpose of the meeting: There was no doubt the International Exhibition was going to be a great thing. They now-had amongst them one who could give them the information ; and direction they required. There was no province in the Colony which could produce better cereals, flax, wool, or timber than could Maryborough, and there could be no two opinions as to the- desirability of adequate provincial representation. Mr Mclntyre, travelling representative of the Exhibition Commissioners, then addressed the meeting. His tour so far had been greatly successful ; but he had, on arriving in Blenheim, been sorry to hear that there had been some coldness in the matter. He was now, assured, however, after his perambulations amongst the business people of the town, that this feeling was more imaginary than real, and that there would be no further lack Qt enthusiasm in the matter. Mr Mclntyre then outlined the. scope and purpose pi the Exhibition, as follows :—As you. know, the Government has decided to hold, during the summer of 1906-7, an InternationalExhib.ition in Hagley Park, Christchurch, i'ji which ;all the nations of the.world halve been' iftvited to participate. Hagley Park is 400 acres in extent, is within three minutes' walk of Cathedral Square, the centre of the city ot Christchurch, and is situated on the banks of the river Avon. It is an ideal spot on which to hold an exhibition, as it adjoins the public gardens and Museum, and encloses Victoria Lake. The object of the Exhibition is educational, and it is intended to demonstrate the resources and possibilities of the Colony* as one.of the world's food-producing factors, its vast mineral resources, and to draw attention to its unrivalled and .varied • scenery. The Government wish to • draw the'attention of the producers ot the Colony to the valuable opportunity this Exhibition offers to bring effectively,before the notice or the world the products of New Zealand. It would urge that complete arrangements be made by those interested to present every product in itß most attractive form. New Zealand manufacturers are appealed to with the object of making a creditable display. The general prosperity pf the Colony has^efen reflected in every phase_qt industrial enterprise, and past exhibiT tions of a local character hayev shown a remarkable advance in the quality^ attractiveness, and general utility pt New Zealand manufactures. The public of the' Colony, in selecting goods/ display to a certain extent, a want of knowledge and appreciation pi locally-manufactured articles, and no doubt this, combined with fashion and prejudice, has encouraged the demand for imported goods. The International Exhibition affords an excellent opportunity for New Zealand manufacturers to promote knowledge and appreciation of their productions,, and to successfully combat and overcome this prejudice from which they are suffering at present. The collection ot New Zealand exhibits. has been entrusted to a committee of manufacturers and others, whose special duty is to see that proper and sufficient accommodation is provided for the manufactures and products of the Colony; also that the attractiveness cl the building and the general arrangements shall compare favourably with that of any other building or court prepared for the reception of imported exhibits. This committee, Mm& naturally anxious to promote iho m- '■ terests of our own people, intend to make the New Zealand court a centre • of attraction, and to this oni ask. if r ith'e support of all manufacturers and producers. The allotment of space twill be conducted with the c.reat<y,t 'care, so that.a proper classificaaou ct exhibits may be assured j also that •whilst, giving due prominence to ~W exhibits from pur large .and; old-ostab-lisKed industries, stiU to so arrange the exhibits that the smaller exhibitor may not b0 overshadowed, by 1113. miv roundings. .It is also desired that those interested in: arts arid sciences w.ithin the Colony will take the fullest advantage 6t. this occasion and demons.yite to our own people and oversea visit or* the progress the Colony has raids in regard to the development of arts and sciences. The main building measures 850 ft by 22Qft, and Qontams a large dome and two towers in the. centre. The cost of erecting this building is £33,000. Adjoining the mam I miding and extending beyond it, otrthe same frontage, is a. machinery. .ht 11, 316 ft by 305 ft. The contract for the erection of this building ha^ been let for £9500. A fire-proof art gallery is practically . completed. It provides lineal feet of wall space to the txtevt of 1400 ft. The High Comm ssniiar for New Zealand, assisted by »he London Board, is arranging for a very large number of two classes of pictures ,—-(1) Loans of celebrated pictures ticm-well-known collections, and, (2) pictures from first-class artists, on wmch will be placed a price. These will be offered for sale, and should they fail to sell, wiU.be; returned, to.the.artists who were good enough to lend- them on these terms. Australian and New Zealand art societies are each ailpttfd a certain extent of space, vtmah will Jbe avilable for the showing of pictures by colonial artists; A railway s-dmg runs into thecentre,of the Exhibition grounds. This will be ai great convenience in the handling of exhib.ts, as, by this siding, exhibits can be transported direct from . the ship s. slings and delivered within the Exhibition grounds. A sports ground 's, being laid but, whioh measures; something like five acres, and whbh will be lit up with electric light. It mil he available for all manner of athletic sports, axemen's carnival, , military fire brigade demonstrations, and other attractions of a similar nature, to provide which arranger/ienrs are being made, by the Exhibition authorities. Very cpmplete' arrangements are being made for a number of up-to-date and scientific side klioan, none' of which have hitherto been introduced into the Colony.' These include a water chute, toboggan slide, helter skelter, Katzenjammer Castle, fun factory, maize, ■ and others of a similar nature. The water chute is expected to be a great attraction, by reason, pf the fact that within the Exhibition grounds there is a lake, which will be.used for that purpose. _ A pneumatic electric • organ is beiivvi; manufactured in London, and will he erected in the concert hall. This will be the first organ of this type "hat has been erected in the Colony. Arrv.igements will be made for a succession of organ recitals. The lighting of the buildings and grounds is being done tin.a good scale, and> will certainly bo 'one of the features of the Exhibiti m. The cost of supplying the necessary light and electric power to''.the-build-ings and grounds will be something like £8000. A very large band contest has been arranged, in'..which'it is expected that a number of Australian, airl ceratinly all the New- Z^iland bands will oompete. The grounds are being laid out in the form of gardens and lawns in a very attractive manner. In this respect the frontage i,o the buildings, assisted ,by the banks of tho.Avon, will have a very interesting and attractive appearance, A very extensive Maori exhibit is being organised, and it will be one of the special features of the Exhibition, because it is generally recognised that this] will be one pf.the last .opportunities] of making such a display. A fernei'y is being: provided, 100 ft square* and special steps are 'being take, n, to make a very fine represeritar tion of the ferns for which New Zealand is particularly noted. The General Manager of the New.Zealand Railways hasariformed the Executive Com-1 missioners that his Department intends to be represented on a large scale at the coming Exhibition, and for that purpose will require about 13,000 feet of space. The Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture of the Fiji Government has written to the Executive Commissioners stating that the space already applied for by that Department is found to be insufficient, and a larger space wil), therefore, be required. Great itvfcerost is being taken in Fiji hi the International Exhibition, and the exhibits sent from there will be of a most in-

tcresting description. Provincial courts are being arranged for, and it is expected that there will be considerable competition betweeu tbe differed

districts of the Colony in this matter. These provincial courts will consist of exhibits of products and raw material, and also of the manufactures which are carried on in the different provinces. It is thought that in some instances the provincial representation is the better one. Several of the ' provinces have already secured space for exhibiting in this way. Manawatu, Southland, Oaniaru, Timaru, Napier, Westland, and others have secured spaces of from 2000 to 3360 square feet. In these provinces the space has been reserved by local bodies who are empowered to devote funds for exhibition purposes under a special clause of the International. Exhibitions Act 1905. • With regard to the; car : riage'. of exhibits, Marlborbugh exhibittors can ship by'steamer from the" port to, Lytteltpn tinder an arrangement j made .with the, Union 'S.S. Go^ and the Huddartj Parker Co., by. whichlthe^e companies will return exhibits:' free; of freight. Great . progress has. been matcfe, owing to the. fine'weather experienced during the past few weeks, in the Exhibition buildings. In" the main buildings very material progress is evident, and,the contractors Tiave already commenced the northern portion, extending from the main entrance to the Exhibition. The contractors for the Art "Gallery have also i been rapidly completing that building, j and the roofing will be finished very ' shortly. The concept hall will be,started during the . coming week. The < contract; for the machinery hall'hav- I ing now been let, the contractor will J lose no time in making a start with / its erection. Visitors to .the Exhibi- / tion grounds during the past 'few j.. weeks have been much struck with the / magnitude of the. main Exhibition J building, and with the progress made. J Mr Mclntyre went on to urjge that > the farmers of this province; should } combine and make a displayfworthy/ of the known capabilities of tHe jdis-f trict. He hoped that all would works together in the matter.!, with^hearjfW ness. He mentioned that, he had thati d day wired to the managing director-4g ''_ ri the Pictpn Cement Works .askmg^f an ls exhibit was intended, and'Kaa , j. Ed the reply that the Christchurch )f agents of the Company had already Le been instructed to secure space, but n that an effort would be made to have i- the cement entered with Marlbor? is ough's display. Mr Mclntyre also re> ia ferred to his canvass of the tpwi> dur-j is ing the day: t He had met with suclt :o support in one*jplace that a chequeiha<l j- been presented to him.for £2;2s tojie wards the cost. That gentleman ts should be mentioned as having'given w such a timely and practical lead ;to id the thing. (Applause.) He hoped to others would,dp the same, and help ai the district along. , . >. a- lii reply to Mr R. McCallum, Mii ig Mclntyre said that the time for the ie securing of space closed on the 31st d. hist. - :'.■• ■,'■■■ vv ; ■■•'-•■ ■'■■ •■ '- --.-r• *,■••.■•• \ ■ c- Mr MpCallum suggested that the to Secretary tellthe meeting what, had t- ; been done already. , % ; > v a- Mr Orr stated that, beyond !asoliie tary definite application for space y. from the Waitohi Cheese Factory, and iy the collection of; £60,.frpm the local of ', bodiesV nothing had heeh^dpnetowa^fls >ir the practical collection of a display. rix He mentioned, that farmers were ,rey,, to, forward sheaves tothe E^e-s of cutive when■'the Government,had, heen be sending an agent/.round^".for these; - ig dependeritly. A iwtiato-digger and a a tflax-stripper had been mentioned. •'■. '.<* , pi-; iMr -Witfen .asked whether it. was!,ft no fact that the Government had sent 'it id man "round for sheaves. ' . , ; ; / , id Mr Mclntyre said it was. but that; , a- was.a s yery smaU matter, ~afteri a H..H nt felt sure that as soon- as the , v mjitt€>r,\ v- was put before 'the iarmers'ini-the : id proper light, with the information ad now gained, they would come along ne all right; It had been the sanie thing if- exactly elsewhere. He suggested that of sub-committeea for the qoUection of n- exhibits be appointed that evening, tc- Mr T. Horton (Chairman of the ty local Executive) then1 addressed the ie- meeting, explaining what had .been he done. The most important thingl Mr1 . ha Mclntyre had don© had beeiitp point' ; cf out the spirit of emulation which had';.,,■ re- characterised the different provinces; th and it was for' Marlborough to sajr * nt whether it was going to do; likeWis^, ed This required a certain amp'int:: cif n^ money v and tip to the present'tunje*the*; in- stumbling-block ■ had bee a the want . to funds. If the province, jt&s : to te v de;re ceritly represented, the sum of, £200,' V :ct at least, would be requrra-l; and whsit nd had the Committee to face?- Up ro ice the present moment; thsy 'had only; - j,t £60. That would go out a V^Vy litclfe cf : way, and the Committee was ia a at. dilemma, not being ehao'.ad .to .apply }i« ifor space. Who was going to tJßy^' ib- ;Surely Marlborough was .unit going 16 , ge jbe left out?- Another poiftt was this: ; ,pr theirefforts fj»iled/..i:^d l a iv- v person wisheds to send ;an exhibit ip<jlrr s »se -. Jsonally, the charge, evs;i if; he teuu'r^ * in ed only one foot of >.jjaoej-.vctila »So , ,n- one guinea—or r -35s ~• with; olh^r.^ i-tel- charges. He'hoped td?ni?at!a really v* ;r* !strang wouldl be .made the <*''■■ m. patriotism^if that- was :(he tdrin--i--'cfv', ud the people of the province; to; take lip. •G5 at: least 1000 ft .of space. :•'•;iApplauye.) ge •' In i^;',Sv;:Tappj:-vMirv-M^i '-V':.'-' ■c. intyre said that"lf two im^nt.|»iatatio-'^ ;" is diggers were exhibited^therewciild be d- proper field tests Before 'the award was ' he 'given.^v ;••.■' ■,■;■• J ;■'- •:■•: .:'■■■■; V; •■'• ■r'V'h:-:y^^- ■- ■■ 11, '.- Mr Tapp, whose rnaaie^bad ,;been". ; he mentioned in connection with the colet lectiPn of,, wool exhibits^ 'said V that' is when the question of provincial TepTc-- ' ,es, sentation first arose some months »g« tit he strongly urged that -th«i-host, of; lapii.i.ii ; •3r year's fleeces : ',should;-'..'L'b6:'.:i-ieciirci:'f';i.:''::; n- straight away, v as nest feason's clfp>' ty would be too late f;or i.ntranca by.the ' es date of the opening-^-Noveaiber;.3stl ;; m- The best fleeces in this province "W«re .-;'; c- not cut till November. They had let - ■Ji this year's chances go. lie asked be }yhether. the fleeces wo aid be allowed - iil in after, the opening of. +h6-Es:hibitiou^ ~ ts A:discussion ensued, in'ivhichj jt was ■,.<-.. in recognised that the, time limits waar; !W most incohvenient, and T.ho d»;s*».e <iti pressed that some .modi&sividnVMfilhi ' ill regard to fleeces should^ iit atUbw«d^Sf t= as" the Central, Executive.i; <<;•>/ ::J;:;-.r;--;.-^--^; tg Mr MclntyrVsai<| he had no; doatt^ v in some/ arrangement : cpuld t be i.ntade5 tor* t; [i- late" entries, fairness to "a.l-com'petitorsi. s^: \being ensured. ;.;■■:■. ,-tf''v'^.'r:' •'..'.■••'•"■ ■■'■'■- .... >c In repty to Mr Horvon, Mr- Mo- '' 's Intyre said that-25 per cent, of tl»e .;*■;■. i- space oharge had to be dcp:»sb3d with is tne application, 25? per (»nt. at ullot-' ■: a- ment, and the balance before tbewpen-....•*■ ■, il ing of the: Exhibition. ■; , : . •c .The Rev., Father . Servapah, .in' a • y'v ie stirring speech, urged that, even"wera••;■•; ;■, y £500 necessary to finance the project, s, there should he no difficulty in getting" ' i- it. He would proposed that a subscrip- '" s tion list.be opened in the roam, aftd n would add his donation '■ol ■;a:2S2s-^to-0 »- that of his legal friend's, < rTe afco :• :r suggested that the Ideal hodies be?; '■ 5/ asked for a further contributij 1, f -ai;d ' 1- not in a half-hearted way,'either." ■•'■'■"■ [. Mr Wiffen. seconded. He felt* con(j vinced that the people of the district: ~ would respond, and not let pass'theia chance of a'splendid representation of ■ s its capabilities. He would foil aw s»:t y with £2 2s; and there were plenty; of x others who would, do the saino- it ':■:• x would be almost a crime- not t». ds>> ?! f i play jin competitipn jttjftjx v frhe .^fcpls , t; = wcirld, ■the-'wo.p'l,'"biarleyy;.,'Mi^''?ccflr--s grass, clover, flax, etc., of Miirlbpr-. , 1 ough. They couldn't be beaten. .If ' : ~ : s there was» a proper representation. He . did not think there wouldbe any quejs-; = f tion which part of New Zealand.would , > be first. Now that the project I'j.d, ■>„ j been properly started, it would be sue- . j. cessfully carried through, 'and;"they ':■■'.['■'' . should have 116 difficulty in.getting.the", ■■ r- money. .. ■ •:■•.■'-!; ■• •"■'" ■;"'■'■' ■ "'..'/' Sir S. Tapp urged that the peojle whose goods would secure the ''iehaiti of advertisement should be given au " ' opportunity of subscribing; Th^; , townspeople should not be looked to to : carry the whole thing through; Whore ; were the people Who were getting 4s 8d for their barley, and the woolgrowers? • •■•■•■•••■•.■•.:*;-■■■ • •-, ..-_■;-_:_..".■ It was explained that these people , would b© canvassed. : ' . The Mayor Baid1 he had no doubt- ' ' that if^the Seoretary was' empowered •"- to approaoh the producers he .would get a liberal response^ The people .Qf-';' the district knew hpw to' subscrtbeVto [''.': a good object if they werie prppejr-ly x , approached, as'witness the !^l4p giyen;''; .^ to. the' Garrison Band: recently to go •;'' to a, contest. Surely the present pro- i"-'!v.S ject was just as worthy of support! / He .would; add his quota of £2 2s to/ !•, the;Hst. . ..•"; •<■■■■■■ ";: ' : ' ' '/■' .).' The motion was carried. . . ;! Mr, R. M. Calluin then moved that, 1 • ; iii order to expedite matters, a'gaar- ■■;■;. • antbrs' list he prepared. 'tXieyxhaA already £70, and if several gentlemen '• present would guarantee £10 each they would be able to go ahead^ Once decide upon a display, and the produce would be forthcoming. Why, there i . were many of their farmers now going ' Home for trips '■ who were compara-- f tfvely poor men a few years ago, and 1 ; these fortunate people would all be visiting the Exhibition. He suggested Mr F. Paine as decorator for the court at the Exhibition.HHrer himself ' would take two guarantees, and his ■ ■■ brother would take one. : ! Mr R. ,H. Smale seconded, and :.■■<■■ agreed to make another. Messrs Wiffen and Paine also offered

Mr J- White said the producers should be given the earliest opportunity of contributing. The townspeople would only get a reflected glory. It would be. found that £200 would be insufficient; £400.would be nearer the m" remark of Mr White's, to the effect that " he did not wish to advertise himself as others did,'' was the signal for an unfortunate sce. ne.v The Rev. Father Servajean and Mr .McCallum took strong exception to the "insult," and demanded a withdrawal of the remark. . Mr White withdrew the phrase, remarking that, he had spoken thoughtlessly. He would willingly give £2 As, which would perhaps be better than a guarantee of £10, as the former would bo collected; and the guarantee would lie; Ma ry6i\ hay.ing' called, : upon; the 'speak'ei- to' conclude his remarks, as they did hot .want the ■•meeting to be converted into a' bear gardeii, • . "'■■ Mr J. Reid said the episode was very -regrettable... He .supported Mr McCailum's motion. He would make a guarantor, and also give £2 2s. As to- the apathy of the farmers, he thought If they were approached in the spirit which animated that meeting they would come forward and assist handsomely. He had had dealings with the farmers in purchasing their barley, etc. , and these farmers recognised the necessity of being represented at the Exhibition. A great number had given him authority to so represent them. He was certain they were doing the producing class an injustice in thinking they would not come forward. The motion was carried. Mr Mclntyre pointed out that early application for space meant priority of position. '..- ■•■ , It was suggested that space should be engaged next day. On Mr Paine s motion ,ifc was resolved to forthwith apply for 1000 ft of space, with the right to decide in a week whether it | shall be increased to 2000 ft. This would ensure the priority of the application. . . . ~ ~ The'inotfon, whioh was seconded by Sir Wiflteh, was carried. The Secretary., was empowered to make the application. .-. On the motion of Mr Smale, who referred to the honors already gamed by the several leading products of the S' rovince, it was resolved that four asses of the community be given precedence in the opportunity of contributing to the subscription list—viz., agriculturalists, squatters, flaxmiUers, and merchants. He pointed out that these classes would reap the direct benefit. He also donated £2 2s. The. following sub-committees were then set up to collect exhibits:—Wool, Mr S. Tapp; cereals, Messrs Reid, Wiffen, Corry, J. H. Redwood, F. Redwood, and D. Bishell; flax, Messrs R, F. Goulter, J. C. Chaytor, D'Arcy Chaytor, and R. H. Smale; timber, Messrs Chas. Nees, John Brownlee, W. Cate, arid G. White. These gentlemen, with the addition of the Mayor and Messrs F. Horton, R. McCallum, and F. Paine, were' constituted a Finance Committee, with power to set up othfer sub-committees or add to theirown numberl'foiir to form a qubrom. ..-,], !•* i j "Mr'Melntyre mentioned that he had been advised that • day that timber competitions were to be held. _ Mr Strachari, Inspector of Schools, indicated that the scholars of the province :intended making a/display of hand-work/ Space had been reserved in the building by the Education Department independently for that purpose. , . . ~ 1 The discussion of minor matters, and a vote of thanks to Mr Mclntyre, concluded the meeting.