OPENS TO-DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7448, 24 May 1911, Page 1

OPENS TO-DAY

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION 'DISPLAY or NEW ZEALAND'S RESOURCES. At S p.m. to-dny tho acting-Prirao Minister," Hon. J. Carroll, will open tho Coronation 1 Exhibition of tho Wellington Industrial Association in tho Harbour Hoard’s “U” and “J” brick sheds. Those tiro sheds, covering as they do, an aero and one-eighth of ground (three floors) have been so arranged internally for the necessities of the exhibition ns to form ono complete building. Spacious and well-adapted for such a purpose, they afford exhibitors ample opportunity for displaying their goods to tho beet possible advantage. What strikes the visitor is that, there is nothing cramped about the stalls or the means cf access; everyone can move about with the utmost convenience. For Ihe-bonefit of those ivho do not know tho holding capacity of the exhibition buildings, 1 '- it may ho of interest to state that V u " shed is 269 fcot long ond ”’ tft fiin wide, whilst “.I” shed, a fine new brick Structure, just completed after its destruction by fire, is 210 feet in length, with In, width o i S 3 feet. i THE PROGRAMME. Speeches at tho opening ceremony, which -is to take place in the concert hall, capable of seating 10011 persons, will be 'made by Mr T. Ballinger (chairman of; the Exhibition- Commissioners), tho Mayor (Mr Wllford, M.P.), Hon. J. Carroll (acting Prime Minister), Messrs If. Fletcher (chairman ox the Harbour Board), and H. C. Tewsiey (chairman of the Chamber of Commerce). The Wellington Liedertafel, under the conductor-c-hip of Mr Robert Parker, is contributing several choruses, and Clarke’s orchestra will play selections in theconcert hall. Visitors may partake of a.ternoon tea in the .. upstairs luncheon room. Good provision .has been made for the entertainment of patrons, for besides attractive 1 music, there will be tho Pierrots iu'ths concert hall at 8.30 p.m., and tho bowling, and athletic events by electric light in the Stadium (on the top floor), an immense arena where there is room for thousands of people in addi.ion io tho space occupied by the bowling greens and the running track. THE OBJECTS. There is no question of_ the , educational value of such ,exhibitions. The aim that the Industrial Association has in view is to make people realise more and more the importance and extent of New Zealand industries. To this end some years ago -it inaugurated New Zealand industries week,” during which, mest ox tho business people dressed up their shop windows with locally-made poods, “t didn’t know they, could make such things in Now Zealand,” was a frequent. expression. In many cases the New Zealand article was better-made and more, attractive-looking than -the Imiicrted. If there was a variance ini prices in favour of the Home or foreign production, tho purchaser of “New Zealand made’’ at least had the satisfaction of knowing that it was produced under healthy conditions at a living wage, and that it gave employment to our own people. “New Zealand week fell short. of the ambitions of tho association, a body of active, go-ahead business men, who realised that the time wag opportune for a grander, broader display. Months of strenuous work has resulted in’ the present magnificent show, which will surprise visitors by the. wealth of its exhibits, their fine manuiacture, and the almost unlimited extent of the resources of the country. People from the country especially may -bo genuinely recommended to come to town during the exhibition, .or here under one roof they will see tho most pretentious industrial display ever attempted in the Dominion. GENERAL NOTES. The turnstiles at the Exhibition build,ngs will bo opened at 3 p.m. to-day lor '.ho admittance of the general public. Invitation ticket-holders must bo seated ip the Coronation Concert Hall by 2.40 p.m., as after that hour there will be admission on payment to tho opening ceremony. ■. As showing tho wide representation of industries, it ’may bo mentioned that ’xhibits have come 1 from Auckland,, Ilatvko’s Bay, Taranaki, Mariborougn, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago, and Somnland;> Exclusive of the home industries section (which will be found of a most attractive nature), there are about, 140 iioparate, exhibitors. Certificates of awards. 1 neatly designed, wilt be pretented.x x The largest apace occupied is' that taken by tho) Wellington Woollen Company end T. '.Ballinger, Ltd. (1000 feet each), with tho Kaiapoi Woollen Company next (000 feet). Other very largo exhibitors aie tho - Wellington Gas Company, Wellington' City Electrical Department, Alcock and Company, Crease and ■ Son. Dimock and Co., Frimley Fruit Preserving Works (Hawke’s Bay), Empire -Manufacturing Co., Christchurch Meat Co., Gear Meat Co., Wilton’s Malt Extract (Dunedin), Westport, Brunner, Tyneside and Waipa Collieries, Kohatu Quarry-Co. (Wellington), J. -and A: Wilson (Wellington), and the Wellington Piano Company. - The'Union Steam Ship Co. is also an exhibitor, ono of itk ivodels shown being alone worth .£6Oll. The Wellington, Technical School and the primary schools arc making interesting displays. Tho tea. and refreshment rooms aro under tho vofitrol of Mr Godber. POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE. •' The Department has arranged for a post and telegraph office and tolephonebureau to be opened at the exhibition building as from to-day. The ’business that will be undertaken will include money-order and savings-bank ■work and: postal notes. Tbe office will be a receiving one only for telegrams, which should-be addressed ‘'Exhibition, Wellington.” The hours will bo from 3 a.ml to 5 p.m.