THE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13875, 12 April 1907, Page 6

THE EXHIBITION.

THE JUDGING REGULATIONS. PREPARATIONS FOR THE CLOSING CEREMONY. (Per TJhitbd Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. Thero appears good reason lo beiievo that the judging regulations, signed by Mr M'fntyie, in winch a remarkably wide range of powers was given to tho superintendent of awards, were diily authorised by one of the Ministers in charge of.the Exhibition. When Mr M'lntyre was iirst appointed su|jerinteiident of awards he called a meeting of exhibitors towards tho latter part of February, at which there was a largo attendance. The printed regulations, which define the superintendent's poweis and general system of judging, were placed in the hands of exhibitors, and at first, it is staled, diverse criticism was made with regard to certain of tiio clauses, but not in respect of those whieli deliued the powers' of Mr M'lntyre. The exhibitors had full confidence in the superintendent of awards, and matters in connection with the judging of exhibits had been delayed, so long that they were only anxious to have a start made with the work, so that they might receive their awards in time tn. display them before the Exhibition closed. After the discussion of tho regulations had proceeded for some time, Mr M'lntyro informed the meeting that they had received tho sanction of the Ministers, so that it was really beside the point to discuss them. The exhibitors readily accepted this view, knowing thnt it was a Government Exhibition, and that Mr M'lntyre was the officer appointed by the Government to superintend the judging. Previous to this there were sonic of them, it is stated, who had begun to beiieve that the Government did not intend to judge the exhibits at all. The original judging regulations, made before tho opening of tho Exhibition, slated that exhibitors must notify tho Awards Committee of their desire to have exhibits judged within 14 days after llio official opening of tho Exhibition. Provision was made in those regulations for the appointment of jurors consisting in each ease of not loss than three members for each division or department. It was provided that "one of the jurors in each department.shall bo elected by the exhibitors, the second shall be appointed by the Awards Committee, the third shall be appointed by mutual consent of the two first appointee!. Jn case of failure to agree, the Awards Committee shall decide." When the middle of February was reached without, anything being done in (he matter of the judging, and tho superintendence of tho work was then placed in Mr M'lntyre's hands, the exhibitors recognised that it was too late to think about- appointing jurors, and a single-judge system was accepted as tho best wav out of the difficulty. The principal object of file exhibitors wgs lo see the judging hurried through. The clauses in Sir M'lntyre's regulations which state that, "if'any question shell arise as to the interpretation of these regulations, tho decision of such question s | la ]l rest solely with the superintendent of awards." and " the superintendent of awards shall have power to amend or add to these, regulations should necessity arise," are copied direct from the original conditions drawn up before the Exhibition opened, with tho exception that the title "superintendent of awards" h;is been substituted for the words "committee of awards." The superintendent's authority to alter any award appealed against after consulting an expert was conveyed by a similar alteration, and tho decision of the superintendent on any question connected with awards was declared final instead of Hie decision of tho committee. The Hon. Dr Findlav, Atlorncy-eenoral. arrived in Christchurch 10-day. Ho will remain here til! after tho closing ceremony at the Exhibition. The Hon. W. Hali•Tones, Acting Prime Minister, leaves Wei-. lingion for this city either to-night or tomorrow night; ami the Hon. J. M'fiowan (Minister of Justice), the Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister), and the Hon. G. Fowl els (Minister of Education) reach Ohristchurch on Sunday morning. The Australian fleet (under Admiral Fawkes) is timed to a.rrivc at Lvttolton on Sunday forenoon. His Excellency the Governor, Lord Phmlret, will also bo here on Sunday. It is stated, that the final ceremony at tho Exhibition will take place on Monday evening. The Governor, the Admiral, and the principal officers of tho fleet will fake part in it. It. is also expected that a larcre contingent of sailors from the warshios will, in addition to representatives of our Volunteer Force, by their presence lend additional impressiveness to the proceedings. The exact time and details have yet lo be fixed after consultation between the Governor and tho executive and the Admiral, but it is intended to make the closing ceremony a striking and impressive one. An address will be delivered by the Acting Prime Minister, and the Governor will formally declare the Exhibition closcd. Thero was an extraordinarily attendance at the Exhibition to-dav, the total being 24,469. The concert hall was crowded, both in the afternoon and evening. the attendance at the latter concert boiiii? a record, i The Exhibition will be formally closed on Monday night, but will bo onen on Tuesday for tho benefit of the employees. A telegram from Mr D. C. M'lntyre was received from Wellington to-day at the Exhibition stating that Mr M'lntvre would be in Christchurch to-morrow. '