THE EXHIBITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22864, 20 October 1937, Page 17

THE EXHIBITION

CENTENNIAL PLAN NATIONAL PROJECT AUCKLAND ASSISTANCE COKDIAIi CO-OPERATION A committee to begin the organisation of the participation of the Auckland province in the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition was get up last night at a representative meeting called by" the Mayor of Auckland, Sir_Ernest Davis. The meeting, over which the Mayor presided, was.-addressed by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T,. C. A. Hislop, as chairman of directors of the exhibition company and by the general manager, Mr. C. P. Hainswortli. Nearly 50 delegates from local bodies and agricultural, industrial and commercial organisations were present. The atmosphere of the gathering was most cordial, and the visitors from Wellington were assured that every effort would be made to ensure that the province and its industries were worthily represented in the exhibition, which those present regarded as a national enterprise. Financial Organisation Explaining the purpose of the exhibition, Mr. Hislop said that, for the sake of convenience, the framework of the organisation was a public company with a capital of £150,000. The Government had made a gift of £50,000, and in addition had loaned £25,000 free of interest. This made a total of £225.000, which the company aimed to get, although it could do with less, As the result of a not very strenuous campaign it had so far raised £90,000 and expected no difficulty in obtaining the balance. A level site of 60 acres had been secured at Rongotai, 15 minutes by car from the centre of Wellington, and the buildings which had been designed had a floor area of 14 acres. It was expected that construction work would begin early in 1938. The Principal Features The exhibition would embrace all parts of the British Empire, and it was certain that there would be many private exhibits from foreign countries. Provision was being made for a large Government court and for sections devoted to manufacturing industries, engineering, transport, arts and crafts, women's interests and general exhibits. Primary production would be represented in a series of provincial courts, and there would ba a large and up-to-date amusement park. The Government ' wds spending £IO,OOO a year for three years on oversea publicity, in the main through the Tourist Department,- and Mr. Hainsworth was to leave on an Empire tour in January. It was hoped to engage one of the world's best bands and an orchestra under a conductor of world repute. The exhibition- was to remain open from November, 1939, to April, 19-10. Local Organisation Regarding local organisation, Mr. Hislop said it was desired that provincial committees should be formed to advance the interests of the project, to act as channels of communication, to provide provincial courts and to .induce local firms to exhibit. Such committees had been set up in Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. Considerable discussion ensued regarding the form that the Auckland provincial organisation should take, and it was pointed out that the meeting represented only the metropolitan area. It was finally resolved, on the Mayor's motion, that the niicleus of a central committee should be formed, with power to add representatives of other centres in the province. It was also agreed that the committee should work out details of the organisation, which would probably include local subcommittees. Personnel ol Committee The following were elected to the committee: —The Hon. B. Martin, M.L.C., and Miss E. Melville (City Council); Mr. W. B. Darlow and Mr. D. Holderness (Harbour Board); Mr. W. P. Fee and Dr. E. P. Neale (Chamber of Commerce); Mr. F. N. Ambler and Mr. N. Crimp (Manufacturers' Association); Mr. J. Wylie (Agricultural and Pastoral Association); Messrs. J. A. C. Allum, S. Irwin Crookes, L. D. Nathan, W. H. Mulhollaiul. and C. H. Furness, and the town clerk, Mr. J. Melling, who was appointed convener. Mr. Hislop stated that in response to an invitation Mr. Hainsworth would leave this morning on a visit to Whangarei. He himself, unfortunately, would have to return to Wellington, but he would go to Whangarei later. He and Mr. Hainsworth also intended to visit Hamilton.