“SAN FRANCISCO, 1915”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8740, 23 May 1914, Page 3

“SAN FRANCISCO, 1915”

LATEST EXPOSITION NEWS SOME DETAILS OF THE WORLD’S GREAT FAIR. (By W. A. Walsh, formerly of Sydney Press.) SAN FRANCISCO, April 29. “ San Francisco, 1915.” This legend greets the countless thousands who flock to San Francisco every week or pass through its golden portals on their way east or west. The first thing observed by the new arrival from anywhere is the great Ferry' Building at the foot of Market street, and in big letters of commanding electric light, ho reads “ San F'rancisco, 1915, Panama-Pacific International Exposition.” Ho has only to look up Market street, or anywhere, for that matter, and ho gazes on the magic talisman, " 1915.” Should ho receive a, letter from a business man, it is all the same. The miraculous combination of figures arrests his attention. Even tho beautifully-prepared postage stamp on the envelope docs its share, and no matter how far afield ho may wander, tho impression" on his cerebral groy matter is permanent, and he tells all and sundry that he 11 secs tho vision of tho world, all tho wonder that would be.”

Although about eight months must elapse before the opening of the Exposition on February 20th, 1915, the construction and all other preparations for the great celebration are far advanced. Australia and New Zealand may rest assured that the Exposition will commence operations on the very tick of time.

Plans for events of national and international interest are being perfected rapidly. Among these must bt> mentioned the initiatory cruise through the canal of the magnificent fleet of from 160 to 200 warships from the navies of all the maritime powers, and the now assured round-the-world aviation contest. The information that tho battlecruiser Australia and two other cruisers will represent the Commonwealth hero next year has been received with gratification. by tho Exposition authorities. The more presence of the vessels will be 1a living and effective demonstration to the world of Australia’s rise to nationhood, and tho beneficial results will be simply incalculable. The invitation of the president of the United States to the nations of the world to participate has met with a remarkable response. Thirty-five nations have accepted. With-those not formally participating, tho lack of official action will be move than made up by individual exhibitors, as in Germany, for example, where Idoo, and in England, where 600 of tho leading manufacturers have declared their intention of exhibiting. Exhibits are now" being prepared in. every part of the earth; and will aggregate a total weight of 70,000 tons. An idea of the immensity of the Exposition may bo gained from the fact that the total expenditure upon the grounds in installation and, construction will be ten million pounds. A fleet of thirty vessels has been engaged in bringing timber from northern mills for use in building tho exhibit palaces. Nine of these, covering from five to eight acres each, 'are well under way. The machinery palace, described as tho largest wooden structure in the world, containing 8,000,000 feet of timber, 1500 tons of holts, and five carloads of nails, is now ready,for the installation of exhibits. The authorities have reclaimed seventy-one acres from the tide-water of the bay, laid a complete sewer system, installed underground conduits for electricity, a thorough system of high and low-water pressure, constructed vast foundations, a sea wall, wharves, and a freight ferry slip. The latter connects with the broad gauge terminal railway system, of which thirteen miles of track have been laid within the Exposition grounds. Spurs of this railway aro being used daily in construction work, and will enter each of tho exhibit palaces. Just a word to Australians and New Zealanders. San Francisco yill he a world’s rendezvous next year. Unprecedented crowds will be here for the great events, and visitors will do well to secure accommodation very early.