THE AUCKLAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10320, 21 December 1896, Page 5

THE AUCKLAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

For Mia past week or two the Auckland Drill Shed and its immodiato surroundings have presented an animated appearance, with the largo staff of carponters and other workmen busily engaged on blio preliminary preparations in connection with the forthcoming Industrial Exhibition, to bo opened there on tho afternoon of Thursday noxt, Christmas Eve. Tho interior of the main building is being apportioned off into several avenues, the whole forming the effect of a huge cyclorama. Productions from the brushes of leading artists will be exhibited in the art gallary attached to the exhibition, and suitable space has been sob apart for collections of South Sea Island curios; while tho Rontgen rays, kinematograph, and other results of scientific research will also be publicly shown, Tho interior of tho building will be beautified with pot plants, ferns, etc., and tho docorations in tho hands of Horr Vannermark and a largo staff of assistants aro of a most elaborate nature, and have already almost reached a state of completion. A concert hall is also being erected capable of holding nearly one thousand persons, and the Entertainment Committoo have boen singularly fortunnto in engaging a numbor of talented artists and several leading musical societies, so that the amusement loving should find themselves well catered for. Messrs. John Chambers and Sons aro laying down a most oxtonsive and complete electriclighting plant throughout the whole of the buildings, and the grounds will be magnificently illuminated, and gymnastic entertainments, pyrotechnical displays, and other attractions will bo provided in the open air. Tho exhibition partakes purely of a local character and a large amount of capital is entailed, the whole of which has been subscribed by Aucklanders. The catalogue, nowboing compiled, shows that a large number of exhibitors have had space allotted to them, aud the lively interest evinced in the function by the public augurs well for the success of the 1896-97 Auckland Exhibition. From the advance shoots it may bo gathered that the numerous local industries are widely represented, and a pleasing feature to intending visitors is tho fact tlfab tho bulk of these will b 3 shown in their several stages of manufacture, thus affording much instruction, Competition will also bo decidedly keen, and tho committee of. management have wisely decided that the judges shall be appointed by the exhibitors thornsolves, so that correct and impartial doI cisions as to merit will be given, The admission to tfio opening ceremony will be 2s | Qd (Thursday atternoon), after which the ' tariff will be Is.