THE CLOSING OF THE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13889, 29 April 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE CLOSING OF THE EXHIBITION.

CHBISTCHURCH, April 15. After a season extending over nearly six months tho New Zetland International Kxhibiiioli was brought to a. close to-night. The closing ceremony took place in ihe main corridor, where tlio opening was also held. It wjs a brilliant scone that met the eye. While the' enormous crowd iu front, of the main entrance of the building wero watching the arrival of his Excellency the Governor from the entrance galo to the doora of the' building, the picturesque in their red And blue uniforms,, and with bayonets fixed, kept clear a narrow lane which the vast multitittlo on their side jostled and prcsicd in effectually to evade. Thi Ministers, executive commissioners, general manager, and chairmen of committees, with Mr E. .T. Righton (c-ecretary to tho Exhibition), and Mr Cassidy (solicitor), having assembled in the entrance dome, filed down the lane to meet his Excellency cloeo to the bridge, the crowd not leaving room for tho vice-regal carriage to enter the grounds. Thore wero present tile Acting Prime Minister (Hon. W. Hall-.Tonco), and Ilono. J. M'Gowan, G. Fowlds. .T. Carroll, J. A. Millar (members of the Ministry), with Mcesre W. Reese, G. T. Booth, H. .T. Scott, and T. E. Donne (executive committee), Mr G. S. Munro (<reneral manaprcr), Mr Righton, Mr Cassidy. Captain P. Atkin (British commissioners), Mr T. H. Raco (Canadian Commissioner), Mr E. Nicholls (Victorian commissioner), and the following chairmen of committees:— Messrs C. M. Grav (executive committee), CI. Scott, ,T. L. 'Scott, H, W. Bishop, ■ S.M., Jas. Jamieeon, A. Kaye. A. W. Beaven, W. W. Chatoi's, G. Hart. W. Mauron, J. H. Frostick. Hoii. W. Buchanan, T. J. M'Bride, J. G. M.oore, Mr Chilton, Mr Jennings, and Colonel Lovedav, officer in ohargo of' School' Cadets,, wcro also present. His Excellency the Admiral, Sir William Fawkes, and Lad.v Fawkes, preceded by the Admiral's staff officers, arrived at about a quarter to 9, wcro introduced bv the Acting Prime Minister to members of the Ministry, Comn'ssioners, and others they had not met beforo. ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.

Punctually at five minutes to 9 his Excellency Lord Plunket made his appcarance, heralded by a bright retinue of outriders and accompanied 'iy three staff officers. The royal salute was given bv tlio, Volunteers, ami tlio Garrison Band, which had laken up a position at the foot of the step lending into the building, struck up a verse of "Rule Britannia," followed by the opening strains of the National Anthem as the vice-rcgal party readied the steps of the main entrance. THE PROCESSION. The following was the Order of the procession:—Officer commanding the Canterbury military district (Colonel Hawkins), and battalion officers, chairmen of committees, executive' commissioners, council. Ministers of the Crown, and general inajiaßcr. the Admiral's staff officers, his Exrellency the Admiral, tlio Governor's staff officers, his Excellency the Governor, officers of his Majesty's navy. The Canterbury Mounted Rifles formed a guard of honour to tba Admiral and tlio Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry to Lord Plunket.^ When the procession entered the Exhibition building tlio long red-ccoted lines of Volunteers iwtween which it had hitherto advanced were changed for the most part to long blue-coated lines of reamen from the warshins, who gave another note of colour. The orchestra played "Rule Britannia" as the party moved slowlv tip the avenue to tho seats reserved for them. ADDRESS TO HIS EXCELLENCY. When tho party was seated the Exhibition orchestra played the " Tannhauser" overture, after which the Hon. TV. HallJonos, Acting Prime Minister, and president oi the Exhibition, read the following address: — "To his Excellency Lord Plunket,—May it.; please your Excellency. Wo, the Commissioners of the New Zetland International Exhibition 'duly appointed, desire with all dutiful respect to convey 'to you. as ' tho 'representative of his Most Gracious Majesty, the assurance of our continued loyalty to his Majesty's crown and person. On tho Ist day of November, 1906. it pleased your Excellency to declaro this Exhibition open to the public. As your Excellency will remember, this Exhibition*was onened under auspices and with prospects which promised well for its success. Timo has now tried the anticipations then entertained, and the greatest Exhibition this colony has ever had has now run its brilliant course, and reaches to-night ils final hour. Every test which citn reasonably he applied ' to the success of an Exhibition pronounces this to be one of the most successful ever hold in any of ■ the Australasian colonics. The best proof of this is probably 'tho attendance, and tho attendance up to this date is no less than 1,970,000. This, considering that the whole population of our colony, including tho Native race, does not exceed 975,000, is surely in the highest degree gratifying. From its inception your Excellency has manifested the warmest interest in this <*rcat undertaking, and your advice and encouragement hp.ve couti'ibiited in no small degree to what the Exhibition has achieved. For this 4 we desire to express to your Excellency our deep gratitude. - Your commissioners desire to thank, the press of the colony for thoir : invaluable assistance in making known throughout the length and breadth of these islands the merits and excellence of tho Exhibition, and the advantages of visiting lit It is with great pleasure wo hear testimony v to tho good work, and courteous co-operation of the difrehjnt Exhibition committees, (ho Mayor and councillors of this city, and other loca' bodies throughout the colony, who have furthered the interests of the Exhibition whenever and in whatever manner they could. It would be difficult to over-estimate the arduous nature of the task which Mr Munro (as general manager) and his staff - have bad to perand \t, cannot bo denied that tho magnificent success of the Exhibition is largely due to lik and their attention, organisation, and firmness. Your commissioners further feel that Mr Hill (the leader of the Exhibition orchestra of 56 performers) and the performers themselves deserve some special mention for tho perfection to which lie.and they have brought that orchestra, and for (ho extent its music has contributed to the success of,tho Exhibition. _ It is gratifying to note that the Exhibition has drawn visitors from every part of tho world, and has enabled them to see from theexhibitsof our New Zealand courts tlio variety and extent- ofourmthual wealth and resources. The Exhibition has further had uu educative influence upon our people, especially our young people, scarcely to be overestimated—an education not merely confined to artistic subjects, but extending over the whole field of productive and industrial enterprises. This Exhibition is an international one, and, being a New Zealand and not merely a provincial enterprise, the colony as a whole has shown a united desire and effort to nuke this great undertaking a success, and this unanimit— has contributed to the paramount end of fostering a national spirit among our people and an unselfish cooperation for a great common good. Your Commissioners desire to express their high appreciation of tho manner in which Camidn.our Australasian and sister colonies, and Fiji have responded to the invitation to take part, in this Exhibition, and it is felt that the success of tho Exhibition is in-a largo measure duo to tho attractivo

courts established by theso colonies. In conclusion, your Commissioners trust that the beneficial results achieved, not only as regards the people of this colony, but as the extension of commercial and industrial relations with other colonics and the Motherland, and the closer mutual intercourse with their neoplo, justify in full measure the wisdom of thoso who inaugurated this great undertaking, and. in particular, tho forcsiglit and prudence of the much-beloved and eminent statesman, tho late Right Hon. Mr Soddott, to whoso energy and determination it. mainly owed its birth. Wo would now respectfully congratulate your Excellency upon the happy auspices under which this Exhibition began its career, upon its brilliant course, and upon this, its happy close. We earnestly hopo that your Excellency will, during the remainder of your term of ofii.ee in this colony, find us the same prosperous and loyal people you found ufl on your arrival.' Tho hour having now arrived when it has liccn decided to close the Exhibition, wo respectfully request that your Excellency will be pleased to declare it closed accordingly." THE GOVERNOR'S REPLY. His Excellency tho Governor, in his reply, said: "The review of the New Zealand International Exhibition's career which has been just read is a statement which does credit to all concerned, and we join heartily in the appreciative references to the special assistance rendered by the Commissioners, tho general manager, local bodies, and tho press throughout tho colony. It would be difficult for mo in tho course of a short reply to add my quota of praise regarding all thoso features which have appeared to me specially interesting, such r,G the pictures, this music, and the agricultural and educational exhibits; but while those who colkcted thoso displays with 6uch anxious care aro about to see them scattered again, they will havo tho satisfaction of knowing that their labours have not been in vaiii, and that their best reward is in the permanent improvement which they will have effected in their various spheres. ThoiHi I cannot, tlievcforp, refer in detail, as I should liko, to the splendid work which has been, carried out in the different sections of the Exhibition. I would ask .vbu to allow mo for a few minutes to dwell upon tho two main results which in mv opinion it has achieved, results not only of great importance to'this colony, but also to tho Empire. First- and foremost, it has strengthened tho' links which bind New Zealand to her neighbouring sister State's. Your visitors from the Commonwealth, from the Islands of the Pacific, and from tho great Dominion will go back with an accurato knowledge of your rapid progress, and, I am confident, a belief in your great future. Tho New Zealander, in his turn has learnt through the exhibits of Australia, Fiji, and Canada, and the courteous and abio gentlemen in. charge of them, more of tho circmmstanco and importance of his neighbours than he could havo grasped otherwise. Indeed, I believe' that the wave of feeling which has recently traversed this country in favour of a firstclass eoiyico between New Zealand and Canada owes its strength as much to the colony's exhibits in this building as to the vagaries of the. San Francisco steamers, and if this Exhibition lias served the noblo purpose of bringing Now Zealand to closer and more sympathetic touch with the other portions of our Empire, it has served a similar nurooso in drawing together the people of this colony, or, in the words of your address, 'festering a national spirit among our people.' It has given the rising generation an objeefc lesson in the cominir ereatnees of their country -at an age when that impression will remain permanent. It has brought together the gumdigger from tho extreme north, tho minor from tho wild west, and it has broken down one moro rotten rail in the fast-disappearing fence of provincialism. Truly, such a result is one which confers honour upon the name of its originator, and upon thoso who hove so admirably catricd out. despite many difficulties, his Imperial-minded, scheme. I shall over remember with pride that, as his Majesty's representative, I. was privileged to tako 'some part in an undertaking so pregnant for tho good of this country and for the general advantage of tho Empire."

PRESENTATION OP AWARDS.

The orchestra then played (110 prelude to act iii of "Lohengrin," after which his Excellency presented the awards to tho following representatives' o£ exhibitors: — British, Arthur Day; New South "Wales, W. J. Durie: Victoria, R. Nicholls; South Australia, 11. J. Scott; West Australia, G. A. Julias; Canada, T. H. Race; Queensland, J. J. Kimey; Fiji, S. H. Sleigh; United Stales of America, Jones, care of Chrystall and . Co.; France,' G. ■ W.' Bennett; Switzerland, L. B. Hart: Germany, A. J. Zcch; Denmark. A loys Koch; Holland and the Netherlands, G. Payling; India and Ceylon, H. T. Quane; South Africa, M. Harris; New Zealand—Auckland. W. R. Ilolmes;' Hawke's Bay, ,T. Crushed:: Taranaki. A. M'Callnm; Wellington, T. Kennedy Macdonald; Marlborough, C. C. Corry; Canterbury, F. Netley Meadows; IjVcst Coast, C. ,t. Roberts; Otago and Southland, Richard Allen. MESSAGE TO THE KING. His Excellency then read the following cablegram wliich ho bad ■ sent:—"Tho of State for the Colonies,—My 'Government desires that tho following message may be transmitted to tho King on behalf of my Government and the peoplo of New Zealand:—

1 "' I have the honour to inform your Majesty that I have to-day closed the New Zealand International Exhibition. Tho favourable anticipations your Majesty was gracious enough to oxpress regarding this undertaking have been fully realised. The attendance nearly approached 2,000,000, and the sympathetic interest shown by your Majesty .and by the Imperial Government have materially assisted in its success. Mv Government-feels assured that not only will tho Exhibition prove of permanent advantage to New Zealand, but will also have aided in strengthening the tics which bind tlio colonies to each other, the throne, and tho Mother Country.' EXHIBITION declared closed.

Tho Governor then declared the Exhibition closed. Tho function lasted for about an hour, but by reason of a continuous disturbance along the western avenue, whero tile Exhibition crowds' were passing lip and down at tho back of tho orchestra, tho voice of the' speakers could not be heard. The Exhibition remained open till midnight.