THE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13463, 16 April 1907, Page 6

THE EXHIBITION.

THE CLOSING CEREMONY.

A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE.

OFFICIAL ADDRESS TO THE

GOVERNOR.

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY.

[BY ( liGRAI'II,I'RtSS ASSOCIATION.]

Cxikistchurcu, Monday. After a season extending for nearly six months, the New Zealand International Exhibition w«ui brought to a clow; to-night. The closing ceremony took place in the main corridor, where the opening was also held. It was a brilliant scene that met the eye while the enormous crowds in front of the main entrance of thp building were waiting the arrival of Ilis Excellency the Governor. From the entrance gate to tho doors of tlie building, the volunteers, picturesque in their red and blue uniforms, and with bayonets fixed, kept clear a narrow lane. The Ministers, Executive Commissioners, general manager, and chairmen of committees, with Mr. E. J. Rigliton, secretary to the Exhibition, and Mr. Gassidy, solicitor, having assembled in the entrance dome, filed down tho Line to meet His Excellency close to the bridge, the crowd not leaving room for the vice-regal carriage to enter the grounds. There were present, the Acting-Premier (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones), and the Hons. J. McGowan, G. Fowlds, J. Carroll, and J. A. Millar, meinhers of the 'Ministry, with Messrs. W. Recce, G. T. Booth, H. J. Scott, and T. E. Donne (Executive Commissioners), Mr. G. S. Munro (general manager), Mr. Righton, Mr. Caseidy, Captain I'. Atkin (British Commissioner), Mr. T. H. Race (Canadian Commissioner), Mr. E. Nicholls (Victorian Commissioner), and the following chairmen of committees: Messrs. C. M. Gray (Executive Committee), G. Scott, J. L. Scott, H. W. Bishop, S.M., Jae. Jameson, A. Kaye, A. W. Boavcu, W. W. Charters, G. Hart, W. Minson, J. 11. ( Frostick, the Hon. W. Buchanan, T. J. Mcßride, J. G. Moo res, W. Chilton, and W. Jennings. Colonel Loveday, officer in charge of the school cadets, was also present.

His Excellency Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes and Lady Fawkes, preceded by the Admiral's stall' officers, arrived at about a-quarter to nine, and were introduced by the Acting-Premier to the members of the Ministry, the Commissioners, and others they had not met before.

Punctually at live minutes to nine o'clock, His Excellency Lord Plunketmade his appearance, heralded by a bright retinue of outriders, and accompanied by three staff officers. The Royal salute was given by the volunteers, and the Garrison Band, : which had taken up a position !.at;;' -the part of , the steps leading into the building, struck up "Rule Britannia," followed by the opening strains of the National Anthem, as the vice-regal party reached the steps of the main - entrance. The following . was the •order of the procession:— commanding the Canterbury military district (Colonel Hawkins), and Battalion officers, chairmen of committees, Executive Commissioners, Council of Defence, Ministers of the Crown, the general manager, His Ex- | cellency the Admiral's staff officers, His Excellency the Admiral, His Excellency the I Governor's stuff officers, His Excellency the Governor, officers of His Majesty's Navy.

The Canterbury Mounted Rifles formed a guard of honour to the Admiral, and the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry to Lord Plunket.

When the procession entered the Exhibition buildings the long red-coated lines of volunteers, between which it had hitherto advanced, were changed for the most part to long blue-coated lines of seamen from the warships, who gave another note of colour. The orchestra played "Rule Britannia" as the party moved slowly up the avenue to the seats reserved for them. ADDRESS TO HIS EXCELLENCY. ■ When the party were seated the Exhibition orchestra played the "Tannhauser" overture, after which the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, and president of the Exhibition, read the following address to His Excellency the (governor: — "His Excellency Lord Plunket, etc., etc., —May it please Your Excellency, we the Commissioners of the New Zealand International Exhibition, duly appointed, desire with all dutiful aspect, to convey to you as the representative of His Most Gracious Majesty, the assurance of our continued loyalty to His Majesty's Crown and person. On the first day of November, 1906, it pleased Your Excellency to declare this Exhibition open to the public. As Your Excellency will remember, this Exhibition was opened under auspices and with prospects which promised well for its success. Time has now tried the anticipations then entertained, and the greatest exhibition this colony has ever had has now run its brilliant course, and reaches to-night its final hour. Every test which can reasonably be applied to the success of an exhibition pronounces this to be one of the most successful ever held in any of the Australian colonies. The best' proof of this is probably the attendance, and the attendance up to this date is no less than 1,970,000. This, considering that the whole population of our colony, including the native race, does not exceed 975,000, is surely in the highest degree gratifying. "From its inception Your Excellency l«us manifested the warmest interest in" this great undertaking, and your advice and encouragement have contributed in no small degree to what the Exhibition lias achievedFor this wo desire to express to Your Excellency our deep gratitude. " Your Commissioners desire to thank the press of the colony for their invaluable assistance in making known throughout the length and breadth of the islands the merits and excellence of the Exhibition,, and the advantages of visiting it. "It is with great pleasure wo bear testimony to the good work and courteous cooperation of the different Exhibition committees, the Mayor and councillors of this city, and other local bodies throughout the colony, who have furthered the interests of the Exhibition wheuever and in whatever uiumipr they could. It would be difficult to overestimate the arduous nature, of the task which Mr. Mut.ro, as general manager, and his staff, have had to perform, and it. cannot be denied that the magnificent success of the Exhibition is largely due to his anu their attention to organisation and firmness. Your Commissioners further feel that Mr. Hill, the leader of the Exhibition orchestra of 56 performers, and the performers themselves, deserve some special mention for the perfection to which he and they have brought that orchestra, and for the extent its music has contributed to the success of the Exhibition.

It is gratifying to note that the Exhibition has drawn visitors from every part of the world, and lias enabled them to see from the exhibits in our New Zealand courts, the variety and extent of unnatural resources, and the Exhibition has further had 'in educative influence upon our people, especially our young people, scarcely to be overestimated—an education not merely confined to artistic subjects, but extending over the whole field of productive and industrial enterprises. This Exhibition is an international one, and being - i New Zealand and not merely a provincial enterprise, the colony as a whole has shown a united desire and effort to make this groat undertaking a success, and this, unanimity has continued ,to thv. paramount id of Tostering a national spirit "inong our people, and an unselfish co-operation for a great common good

"Your Commissioners desire to express their high appreciation of the manner in which Canada, our Australasian and sister colonies and Fiji, have responded to ./ho invitation to take part in this Exhibition, ami it is felt that the success of the Exhibition is in a large measure due to the attractive courts established by^ these colonies.

"In • conclusion, your Commissioners trust that the beneficial results achieved, not only as regards the people of tins colony, but as regards the extension of commercial and industrial relations with other colonies and the Motherland, and the closer mutual intercourse, with their people, justify in full measure tile wisdom of those who inaugurated tins great undertaking, and in particular the foresight'and prudence of the much-beloved and eminent statesman, the late Rt, Hon. Mr. Scddon, to whose energy and determination it mainly owed its birth.

" We would now respectfully congratulate Your Excellency upon the happy auspices under which this Exhibition, began its career, upon its brilliant course, and upon this its happy close. We earnestly hope that Your Excellency will during the remainder of your term of office in this colony find us the same prosperous and loyal people you found us on your arrival. The hour having now arrived when it has been decided to close the Exhibition, we respectfully request that Your Excellency will be pleased to declare it closed accordingly." THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. His Excellency the Governor, in his ieply, said : The review of the New Zealand International Exhibition's career which has been just read is a statement which does credit to all concerned, and I join heartily in the appreciative references-,to special assistance rendeiied by Commissioners and general manager, local bodies, and the press throughout the colony. It would be difficult for me in the course of a shoit reply to add my quota of praises regarding all those features which have appeared to me specially interesting, such as the pictures and the music and the agricultural and educational exhibits, and while those who collected these displays with such anxious care are about to see them scattered again, they ■ will have the satisfaction of knowing that their labours have not been in vain, and that their best reward is in the permanent improvement which they will have effected in their various spheres. Though I cannot therefore refer in detail, as I should like, to the splendid work which has been carried out in the different sections of the Exhibition, I would ask you to allow me for a few to dwell upon two main results which in my opinion it has achieved, results not only of great importance to this colony, but also to the Empire. First and foremost it has strengthened the links which bind New Zealand to her neighbouring sister States. Your visitors from the. Commonwealth, from the islands of the Pacific, and from the great Dominion, will go bade with an accurate knowledge of your rapid progress', and I am confident a belief in your great future. The New Zealander in his turn has learnt, through the exhibits of Australia and Canada, and the courteous and able gentlemen in charge of them, more of the circumstances and importance of his neighbours than he could have grasped otherwise. Indeed. I believe that the wave of feeling which has recently traversed this country in favour of a tirst-class service between New Zealand and Canada, owes its strength as much to the colonial exhibits in this building as to the vagaries of , the San Francisco steamers, and it this Exhibition has served the noble purpose of bringing New Zealand into closer and more!sympathetic bond with the other portions of our Empire, it has served a similar purpose, drawing together the people of this colony, or in the words of your address, 'fostering a national spirit among our people.' It has given the rising generation an object lesson in the coming greatness of their country at an age when that impression will remain permanent. It has brought together the gunuligger from the extreme north and the miner from the wild west, and it has broken down one more rotten rail in the fast disappearing fence of provincialism. Truly .such a result is one which confers honour upon the name of its originator, and .upon those who have so admirably carried out, despite many difficulties, his Imperial-minded scheme. . I shall ever remember with pride that as His Majesty's representative I was privileged to take some part in an undertaking so pregnant for the good of thin. country, and for the general advantage of the Empire." The orchestra then played the prelude to Act 3 of " Loliengrin," after _\v Inch His Excellency presented the a*v;u7ts to the following representative exhibitors :—British, Arthur Day; New South Wales, W. J. Durie; Victoria, R. Nicholls; South Australia., H. J. Scott: West Australia, A. Julius; Canada, T. H. Race; Queensland, J. J. Kiiwey; Fiji, S. H. Leigh; United States America, Jones, care of Chrystal and Co. ; France, G. W. Bennett; Switzerland, L. B. Hart; German v, A. J. Zocli ; 'Denmark, Aloys Koch; Holland, 0. Pwyling; India and Ceylon, 11. T. Quane; South Africa, M. Harris. New Zealand— Auckland, W. R. Holmes; Haw Ice's Bay, J. Crnshick ; Taranaki, A. MacCullum; Wellington, X. Kennedy Mao Donald : Marlborough. C. C. Cony; Canterbury. F. Netley Meadows; West Coast, 0. J. Roberts ; and Ota,go and Southland, Richard Allen.

MESSAGE TO THE KING. His Excellency then read the following cablegram, which lie had sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies: — " lie Secretary of State for the Colonics.—My (.Government desire that the following message may be transmitted to the King on behalf of my Government and the peopLe of New Zealand:'l liave the honour to inform Your Majesty tluit I have to-day closed the New Zealand International Exhibition. The favourable anticipations Your Majesty was gracious enough to express regarding this undertaking have been fully realised. The attendance nearly approached 2,000.000, and the sympathetic interest shown by Your Majesty and the Imperial Government has materially assisted in, its success. .My Government feel assured that not only will the Exhibition prove of permanent advantage to New Zealand, but will also have aided in strengthening the ties which bind the colonies to each obiter, the Throne, and the Mother Country.Plunklt.' " THE CLOSING ACT. 110 then formally declared the Exhibition closed.

The function lasted for about an hour, but by reason of a continuous disturbance along the western avenue, where tin.' Exhibition crowds were passing up and down at the back of the orchestra, the voices of the speuikers could not be heard. The Exhibition remained open till midnight.

REVIEWING THE EXHIBITION.

STATEMENT BY Mi.:. MONRO.

[BY XELEURAfU.- C'OIUUCSFONDEN'T.] CiinisTciiuncu, Monday.

Both Christehurch papers contain long reviews 011 the Exhibition, which closes tonight with what will probably prove one of the largest attendances of the whole season. Interviewed by a Press reporter, tradesmen of every class and variety re[>ort increased business during' the Exhibition, and, contrary to expectations, accounts have been paid as well as ever. Local exhibitors arc confident that their displays have hud a good result in bringing business. M'r. .Munro, general manager of the Exhibition, has accorded representatives of both papers interviews, in which lie has put forward his ideas on the big show, and its success "as regards myself." He said to tiki Press reporter: "1 have stood the racket of hard work, long hours, and great responsibility in a maimer which has surprised myself. 1 don't seem to have been able to get 011 well with a certain section of the L'liristcliurch community, but I claim to have been just and consistent in my management. 1 have always done what I thought was right without fear or favour and, according to my lights, and while L am riot prepared to hold out the olive branch to these sections of the Christchurch public, I bear them 110 ill-will."

From the police point of view the Exhibition lias been an unqualified success, The offences reported were all of a trivial nature. , The total number of offences reported'at the Exhibition was 34, of which

32 were dealt with; 24 were petty theft cases. There was practically no disorder whatever at the Exhibition, which Inspector Gillies considers is to a great extent due to the refusal by the Licensing Committee to grant licenses to sell alcoholicliquors at the Exhibition. BUSINESS IN "WONDERLAND." Mr. Baud, the general manager of Wonderland," says many people have "been under the impression that Wonderland" has been making enormous profits. The takings had certainly been large, but the expenses are very heavy, and the best our shareholders can anticipate is the return of their capital and a small dividend. "We have," he said, " spent £25,000 in Christchurch, and the public at large should have a kindly feeling towards the company." THE ART GALLERY. Mr. A. A. Longden, who has been in charge of the Art Gallery, told an interviewer that the sale.* have been very much better than he antilipated, and he thought they have been as good as at any previous international exhibition. They have certainly been very much better than they were at St. Louis Exhibition. The sums spent in the gallery by art societies are as follows:—Svdnev, £3339; Canterbury, £2172; Adelaide, £1949; Wellington, £500; Auckland, £500; Duncdin, £145; total, £8605.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRiSTCUURCir, Monday.

The Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister) paid a farewell visit to the pa at the Exhibition this morning. He was welcomed by the few natives who still remain, and in the course of his reply he complimented them on the appearance of the village, and hoped they would have a safe journey hack to their homes in the North.

The Hon. J. A. Millar ha« been promised bv the Canadian Commissioners, a number fit" mineral exhibits, which the Minister intends to send to the School of Mines in Dunedin.