THE CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBI-

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13543, 16 March 1906, Page 5

THE CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBI-

<* TIIK APATHY OF THE CHIEF CENTRES. (Per United Paess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 15. At a, meeting of the Executive of the Exhibition this evening the chairman (the Mayor of Christ church) referred to tho apathy shown in Wellington and Dunedin, which ho said contrasted strongly with tho way in which the smaller towns had responded to the invitation to . exhibit. Superintendent Smith, of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, submitted a very complete scheme- for safeguarding the Exhibition against fire. The report was referred to the T'uilding Committee. 'The chairman of the Building Committ-co stated that the colonial architect and engineer-in-chief had been instructed to examine the whole of the buildings and report to the. Government. Tho Hon. Mr M'Gowan, Acting Minister in charge- of the Exhibition, said he was delighted to find the committees were working so admirably together. He was more than pleased with tho way the business hod been conducted. There was a. limit to the expenditure, as they had auditors behind them, but with regard to matters within hid control he would do his best to further any wishes they made known. Mr Brett, tho executive commissioner for Auckland, was present, and expressed regret that Auckland people had not, taken up flic truest ion of exhibiting so warmly .as he had hoped. This, ho thought, was mainly due to the di-.taiwe from Chrislehiireli, and certainly not to any feeling of provincial jealousy. Ho thought, arrangements should ba made for a direct steamer from Homo to carry passengers from the North Wand parts- to T/rttclton during the Exhibition, as the journey from Onehnnga to New Plymouth was not always looked forward to with pleasure. As a result of his experience of tho Auckland Exhibition, be strongly advocated the lareer of the two orchestras proposed. Mr Mills, executive commissioner for Otago, was unable to Ire present. Tho executive reaffirmed the opinion that, the large orchestra should be obtained. WANGANIII, March 15. Mr M'lntvre. representative of tho International Exhibition, addressed a public meeting to-right. The Mayor presided over a representative attendance. It was decided that the Wanganui district should be represented by a separate court, and a, strong Executive Committee was appointed to further that object.