WELLINGTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1675, 6 April 1904, Page 60

WELLINGTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

THE USE OF THE TOWN HALL AND LAND.

TERAIS OF THE LEASE.

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the coming New Zealand Industrial Exhibition wias held last Wednesday. Mr P. Hutson presided, and Messrs T. G. Macarthy, It. E. Bannister, William Allan, J. P. Luke, A. de B. Brandon, W. A. Evans and J. B. Harcourt, and the City Solicitor were also present. A letter received by the secretary (Mr H. F. Allen) from the Agent-Gene-,-ral ran: —“l am directed by the AgentGeneral to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st December last, and, in reply, to state that he will be glad to afford every assistance in his power in promoting the success of the Industrial Exhibition, which you state will he opened in, Wellington in November .next [under the auspices of your association. The Agent-General will be glad, therefore, to receive a supply of the prospectus, etc., of the Exhibition as soon as possible, in order that lie may be in a position to communicate to the shipping companies and others full information in respect thereto.” The City Solicitor (Mr J. O’Shea) produced a draft of the proposed deed of lease, giving the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition certain rights in respect of the new Town Hall, and reclaimed land sections. The deed gives the committee a lease for twelve months from May Ist next of seven sections, with a frontage of 40fit each to Mercer street and two sections facing Harris street, less the section required for the new Technical Board’s building. Also a lease of the Town Hall for a period of five months, after the hall has been formally declared open by the City Council. The Corporation cannot extend any rights in regard to eiica-qachinents upon streets (as in Mercer street). Such will have to be obtained by Act of Parliament, as was done in 1885, when Ballance street was encroached upon. No objection is made to the bridge across Mercer street, but exception is taken to the proposal to throw a bridge from the first floor of the Town Hall across Lower Cuba street, solely, however, on account of structural alterations that may be necessary to form an exit from the Town Hall. The Council has no power to extend a right to the committee o throw a bridge across tlie railway line in Jervois quay (the continuation th ! e one across Lower Cuba, street). Sue should be obtained through the Pailway Department by legislation or other wise. The buildings ate to be commenced: five months after the signing of the deed, and to be completed by January Ist.

and the lands arc to be (used solely for tho purposes of the Exhibition. Tho lessees must insure all buildings against fire, and a public accident policy risk to tho amount of £2500 is to be kept in force during the occupancy of the buildings. an|l those engaged must be protected under the provisions of tho Workmen’s Compensation Act. Apart from this, a general indemnity (under the (ontractors’ and Workmen’s Lien Act) must be given by the lessees to the amount of £IOOO to cover any possible damage, liens, or other contingencies. The lessees must now allow any nails.to he driven into the walls or ceiling of the Town Hall premises for the purpose of hanging picture® or otherwise. They must employ a member of the Eire Brigade as night watchman at their own expense, and miust keep the building in a clean and sanitary condition. In the conduct of the Exhibition, must give the members of the City Corporation and officials full anjl free accosts to all committee and meeting rooms in the Town Hall building. The Town Hall and other rooms used must be lit with electric light, with separate meters and appliances. One week is allowed to clear off all buildings and obtrusions in the streets after the termination of the lease and two months for all other buildings. Seventy-five per cent, of the profits of the Exhibition are to go towards purchasing an organ for the Town Hall, and the money must be paid into a bank. All buildings must be insured aryl no noxious trade or business will be allowed to be carried on within any of the buildings. The Town Flail must not be used for other purposes than concerts and entertainments, without the sanction of the Town Clerk. Te Council retains the right to examine the books, audit the same, and appoint an umpire (previously) to settle any dispute that may arise. In the course of a* discussion, the action of the Council in demanding individual lessees, and not the Industrial Association., to sign the deed and' take over the responsibility, was said to present certain difficulties. Mr J. B. Harcourt humorously suggested that Air Brandon (the executive’s solicitor) should form himself into a. company, and run the exhibition.

Air Brandon said that the most serious thing was the indefinite date as to when the committee will be able t-o> gat possession of the Town Hall. They might put up the buildings ail round, and then nob know within weeks or months when they could get the Town Hall. He was not prepared to say where they could get gentlemen to undertake the responsibilities of lessees. Given these, there was no certainty that the Act permitting street building would be passed. Tho chairman mentioned that the Premier had promised to do all in liis power to help along the exhibition. Air J. P. Luke (speaking as one of the City Council’s sub-committee), said that it depended on the contractors as to tho time when the hall would be handed over free to the Council. Air Brandon: “ The thing is, can we proceed with the exhibition in the indefinite position? What do- you think, Air Macarthy?” Air Macarthy: “I do not see where you are going to get the lessees under that deed. It bristles with responsibilities.”

Mr Thomas Ballinger said that if the exhibition was not opened by December Ist the best time would be lost. It was intended to open it oil November 9th, but then the hall contract was to bo completed by May Ist. Mr J. P. Luke said the Technical School would have to move its gear and appliance® into its new building. Mr Evans mentioned that the applies tion for a grant for the building had been made long, long ago. They hadn’t had a reply yet-.

Eventually it was decided that Mr Brandon should peruse the deed of lease, and report to a later meeting. The executive acceded to the- request of the Harbour Board to resume occupation of a section of the block of reclaimed land at the foot of Tkranaki street: which had been granted by the Board for the exhibition.