AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14927, 27 February 1912, Page 8

AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

SUGGESTED SITES VISITED.

ADVANTAGES OF DOMAIN.

NOTHING ELSE SUITABLE,

At the invitation of the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) a visit of inspection was paid to the various cites suggested for the Auckland Exhibition of 1912-1913, yesterday afternoon by a party of gentlemen interested. Two motor cars conveyed tho party, wliich consisted of the Mayor, Messrs. 13. Buttle (chairman of tho Exhibition Committee), Leo Myers, and Geo. Elliot (president and vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce), J. Court (City Council), W. S. Douglas (editor of tho New Zealand Herald), T. W. Leys (editor of the Star), F. E. de Guerrier and E. H. Morris (engineer and traffic manager respectively) to the Auckland Electric Tramways Company), W. E. Bush. engineer), and the citv parks superintendent (Mr. Peareon).

The site in the outer Domain was first visited, tho locality being close to tho eminence near the cricket ground, from whence an unsurpassed panoramic view is obtainable. All the.visitors were very favourably impressed with the excellence, from a scenic point of view, of this sito, and the opportunities existing for converting its surroundings into a picturesque garden. I The question of the accessibility of the I outer Dcmain, from a tramways point of I view, was raised. It was pointed Out J that a temporary tram line could be laid at very little cost from Manukau Road along Maunaell-Road, through the Domain to the suggested Exhibition site. Mr. do Guerrier stated that this line could be laid inexpensively, as very little preparatory work would be necessary. In addition to facilities for the placing of the various exhibition buildings the grounds in the outer Domain lend themselves to various attractions, which tend to make an exhibition popular—such as lakelets, water exhibitions, garden kioSks, etc. From tho site a. view is command? 1 or the whole of the.North Shore, Rangitoto Channel, and the surrounding country. Other Sites Visited. After a thorough inspection of th Domain sito the party was driven to Poin' Erin Park, passing Victoria Park on route The environment of.the latter did no impress the visitors, and, in addition ' its unsuitability in this respect, it was mentioned that it would cost, between £2000 and £3000 to put the park into its original condition again after an exhibition, supposing one were to be held there. Moreover, tho objection was voiced that tho City Council would probably lose another £1000 in revenue from the various cricket and sporting associations. Although Point Erin Park is beautifully situated its remoteness from tho surrounding districts of Greater Auckland, and its limited area render it unsuitable for exhibition purposes. The Metropolitan Grounds wero also visited, and, whilst it was recognised that I they were suitable enough for a small ' exhibition, it was considered {hat there was not the space available there for any exhibition worthy of the city. Domain Site Favoured. The all but unanimous opinion of those present on the trip appeared to be strongly in favour of tho outer Domain as tho most central, spacious, and picturesque sito, though one or two seemed to doubt whether, from a revenue-earning point of view, Victoria Park had not superior claims. It is understood that the Exhibition Committee will meet short.lv and elect a president in place of Mr. Bart. Kent, who has resigned from tho position, and will obtain a rough estimate of the probable requirements and cost of the Exhibition buildings, also of the expenditure necessary to cenvert the grounds of the Domain into a condition suitable for the desired purpose. The Mayor stated that he had every confidence that the City Council and other local bodies, including 'the Harbour Board, would lecomo financial eontributories to the Exhibition, in order that it might be made worthy, of the premier city of the Dominion. Before separating those present expressed their thanks to His Worship for the interest he had taken in the matter by affording them an opportunity of inspecting the various suggested sites.