WELLINGTON EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1649, 7 October 1903, Page 68 (Supplement)

WELLINGTON EXHIBITION.

THE COST OF THE SCHEME. The plans for the. Wellington Exhibition, to be held next year, will provide for 09,048 ft of floor space, or, if the machinery hall with its 20,816 ft of space, be included, tlio total floor space available will be about 90,000 ft, and the land included in the. exhibition area will bo 3 acres 3 rood; 12 perches. Mr Charlesworth, who has prepared the plans submitted them last night to the Industrial Association at its annual meeting. In addition to tho main buildings, adjoining the Town Hall, it is provided that the area available adjoining the Wellington Rowing Club and Star Boating Club’s sheds will bo devoted to the purposes of a machinery hall. Beyond'this machinery hall, and covering the space up to Taranaki street, there is to he a sports and parade ground, encircled by a 20ft bicycle track, and overlooking this ground will he a grandstand. It has also been decided that this portion of the exhibition area will bo connected with the main buildings by a large overhead bridge, which is to be carried over Lower Cuba street, and (subject to the consent of tho Railway Department), across the railway line. Tlie Exhibition Commilclcee has gained the consent of tlie City Engineer and the City Electrical Engineer, who have expressed their readiness to assist tlie scheme in every way, and the Harbour Board engineer has likewise shown every willingness to help the committee. There is still an uncertainty as to the intentions of the Government with reference to the Technical School workshops, and until this doubt is cleared up, the preparations for the exhibition must necessarily be delayed. An imposing front is proposed for the entrance to the exhibition in Mercer street. The main doorway is to be flanked by two domed towers, and above the entrance will be an ornamented frieze and parapet, surmounted by a dome. Mr Peter Hutson, the newly-appoint-ed president of the Industrial Associa-

tlon, explained to tlio members last week that the building would bo double the size of Hi at of the last exhibition hel,d in Wellington, and would be much more attractive in many respects. Ho added that it would cost double the money. This time they would have a Town Hall second to none in New Zealand. Ho mentioned tho point still remaining to be cleared up in regard to the workshops, and said that otherwise the' only question was that of finance. “So far as we can see alt present,” remarked Mr Hutson, “our buildings will cost £BOOO. That’s a nice lstcle bill to look forward to.” “That’s, not much,” exclaimed one member, cheerily. “There are 15,000 more people to deal with now in Wellington than there were here last time,” added Mr Hutson, “and I’m quite sure there is more money in circulation than there was in 1897.” In reply to a question from Mr Hurrell, Mr Hutson said that t.heve was no chance of making the buildings permanent. The plans will now be submitted to the Government by a deputation from tho association.