NEW. ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13146, 7 April 1906, Page 6

NEW. ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

WEEKLY progress REPORT. v. [BY-'tELKGnAriI.—PRESS' ASSOCIATION-.] ■ ;»... . .' CuKisTonrßCH. Friday. - The official weekly review of the progress of the New. Zealand International Exhibi- . tion states that Mr. George Scott,'- actingchairman of their. Building Committee, and Mr. J. C. Maddison, chief architect,, during their recent visit Wellington, had along consultation with- Mr. Hay, engineer-in-chief of the Public Wo.ks Department', and the whole of the plans were then carefully: supervised and criticised, and certain alterations'and additions were made in the construction of the buildings, with the view of making them withstand the. highest wind I pressure Known in New Zealand. The. test I applied equalled 401b'pressure to the square! footC and. this test, is most severe. Such ; * force has only been known in some of the • Rimutakft gorges, when-, a locomotive was overturned, ; and -therefore the public may lest assured:that the..buildings, when com-'. pleted, will »bo,; absolutely safe and secure ...against any,, hurricane that.may occur in New Zealand. Applications for space cmi- ' timie to pour in to the Exhibition offices; 'and a very largenumber wore received on Thursday. Several inquiries by cable were . also received front overseas. The,; Exhibition authorities are advised that,one of the foremost landscape painters in the United Kingdom is painting a special picture tor the; New Zealand International Exhibition. 'The plans of the proposed extensions to the buildings have been sent forward to the Government for approval. These additions carry the buildings! right up to the art gallery, the- fernery and the concert lullK and .make a complete block of . 1000 ft .'by 270 ft, and the main building in ■■■ the .front 850 ft by 90ft. with the machinery hall 300 ft by 500 ft . :: * A careful calculation .. has uowLbeen made of all. the applications fo-. space received, and it is estimated that practically, with the. exception of 10,000 ft, the whole of the blocks will be occupied. The Cabinet has agreed to the necessary extensions of the main building to cover the amount of space now required. Mr. John Roberts, C.M.G., the executive commissioner for Dunedin* arrived in town on • Wednesday, and had au interview with the local .executive commissioners ■: relative to trie Otago exhibits. The contractors for the main building have commenced the work, of re-erecting tower. ' "■■:. - Palmkbstox North, Friday. Mr. B. Holben, secretary of the North Island Brass Bands Association, has received notification from the Exhibition authorities that they have agreed to the terms under • which the annual contest is to be held at .'.-.> Chxistchurch this year. : The commission- :'..- ers have agreed to pay the association £50, ; and to conduct the contest under the rules of the association, subject to such alterations as are necessary. . All Australasian .bands are to be eligible to compete on affili- ■,'■' ating with the "North' Island Association. To facilitate this the fee for this year only

Will be reduced from . 30s to Is.