NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13191, 31 May 1906, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

" REPRESENTATION OF AUCKLAND'S PRODUCTS. MEETING OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ' The question of taking steps to, make arrangements for the representation of the Auckland province at the forthcoming In- : ternational Exhibition at Ghristchurch discussed at a special meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon. Mr. J. B. Macfarlanc (president of the Chamber) presided, and there was a fair attendance of members of the Chamber. Mr. H. Brett (local, Exhibition Commissioner) and Mr. W. JR. Holmes (local secretary to the Exhibition Committee) wre also present. The Chairman, in explaining the object of the meeting, said he understood that the City Council was willing to vote a. sum of money to defray the cost of an Auckland court at the Exhibition, if it were shown that there was a desire for such representation. It would not redound to the credit of Auckland, as the largest city in N.w Zealand, if it were allowed to be the only town of importance in the colony without representation at the Exhibition. Mr. r. Peacock said that several manufacturers had already arranged for exhibits, and that the present idem was to secure a special representation of the various products of the province. Mr. W. R. Holmes, local secretary to the Exhibition Committee, said that some 50 manufacturing and other firms had arranged : 'or exhibits of f'ie*r ,j;c <!;;, ar.d tho present j ,»<' ■■' me*:"- related i.. a special provincial i court. The Government, he understood, ws. desi-" s that the Auckland province should be well represented, and if the space for a j court were provided he did not think there ; would be any difficulty in procuring exhibits. The total cost of a bay 140 ft by 24ft (including all transit and other charges) would be about £652, and he <iid not think there should be amy difficulty in obtaining (attributions to this extent, from the local bodies. The City Council,' the Harbour Board, the A. and P. Association, the Education Ber:d, the Chamber of Commerce, and other local bodies would, no doubt, be willing to each vote a sum towards the fund. The local bodies in the Southland distict had contributed £555. Napier had collected £600, Waiuganui £500, whilst the local bodies in other districts had voted varying amounts. The matter had been taken up in the 'Waikato, where some 15 local bodies had signified their willingness to contribute. He thought if the natter were taken up in Auckland in a proper spirit a success could be made of the movement. In answer to the chairman, Mr. Holmes said that the Hon. E. Mitchelson had already promised to lend his exhibit of kauri gum for the Exhibition, but he had no doubt +Me nn'ulrl Vu> eofMirorl fnr+Kc Anpt-larifl pmirt. '.

this could oe secured lor.ine AUCKiana court. He thought the flax, wool, timber, dairying, gold, and coal mining industries should be all represented. The gold wining com-, patties had not arranged for ?.iy sj/nce. , Mr. H. P. Oakiv?n szH .hat «'•« flajaullm,! were desirous ,of b;ii j?»£ .an, 'exhibit of j fibre "ranged for. Mr. Peacock said the question was what. support would be given to a provincial movement. In Dunedin the committee had decided to drop the idea of a special, court. . ... Mr.. J. Evans thought they should be careful not to overlap the functions of the local committee in Auckland. They might co-operate with the committee in the matter. - ' ';. Mr. McOallum said it would .not be. worth while having a provincial court if the Waikato and other country districts ' did not come in. Mr. '-Holmes said that he was unable to say whether Waikalo woul'- : join in a provincial court movement, but he did not ih'Tik there would be any difficulty in the, mailer. So far as he understood, the Waikato people took,the matter up because ' 'hey saw that nothing vw bexng done in Auckland. Mr. S.J. Nathan said that if the matter were properly taken up there was still ample ; time to arrange for a successful Auckland court, especially as no individual monetary, contributions would be required. After some further discussion it was resolved, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. S. J. Nathan, that it is desirable that there should be an Auckland provincial court at the Exhibition, assuming that the Wi«kato and other country districts would co-operate in arranging for a combined provincial representa-

tion. It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr A. B. Robcrton, seconded by Mr. Oakden, that with a view of inducing the local bodies to combine, Mr. Dennistoti (secretary of the Chamber) be requested to act as interim secretary, and to communicate with the local bodks. and ascertain whether they will contribute,, and, if so, to what extent, the result to be reported to the council of the Chamber. On the suggestion of Mr. Holmes, it was "decided to telegraph to the Hamilton .committee, asking w -ether they are willing to co-operate in tic movement. In reply to Mr. McCailuai, .•. was stated thai it would be understood that the council of the Chamber would not proceed with the movement to an extent beyond the amount guaranteed by the.local bodies. The Chairman said he had no doubt that the Chamber of Commerce would , make a contribution to t!v- fund. Mr. Evans said it would cost £1000 to carry out the movement thoroughly. Mr. Brett said ho thought £700 would cover it. „ Mr. Evans said that contingencies must be- provided for, and ],« thought the advantages of a well-equip vd court would be cheap a I £1000. The meeting then terminated. [BY" TELECRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] New- Plymouth, Wednesday. At a representative meeting to-day it was resolved to apply for 500 ft of space at the New Zealand Exhibition, for a, provincial exhibit. _ Private exhibitors are making their own arrangements.