N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19008, 2 November 1923, Page 9

N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

MEETING OF DIRECTORS. A meeting of tho directors of tho New Zealand and South Sens Exhibition Company was held in Mr W. K. C. Reid a ornce last evening; present—Messrs 0. Speight (in the chair), the Mayor (Mr H. L. Taplev) Halsted, Barr, Somerville,'Hayward, Barnett, Sincock, and Todd Accounts amounting to £ll os Id were passed for payment. , It was decided to hold a meeting at 4 ,p.m, next Friday, when the financial position generally will be discussed. A number of suggestions 'were made by the secretary (Mr Spence) in regard to the appointment of committees, representatives abroad, etc. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Barnett, Hayward, and Sincock, was set up to confer with Mr Spence. The Chairman reported that Mr Barr, Mr Todd, and he had waited on the Tramways Committee of tho City Council with reference to tramway extensions and the question of a highway to meet the requirements of tho exhibition. The committee had certain proposals under consideration. It was decided that a deputation, consisting of all the directors, should wait on the City Council at its meeting next Wednesday. The following letter was received from the 1-lon. G. M. Thomson, and was noted for future reference: — “Now that the Question of the site of tho International Exhibition has been nettled —a decision which I trust all interested in the prosperity of Dunedin and of the exhibition itself will loyally endorse—- [ beg to renew the offer I made at the outset of the movement to his Worship the Mayor—viz., to give the best assistance in mv power to the executive. At the very successful exhibition held in 1889-90 I was a commissioner, was on the educational and gardens committees, a member of the choir, and was especially responsible for the fisheries’ court, which was, however, rather starved for money. Though so many years have passed, I am still active, have a good deal of time to devote to public duties and services, and have very considerable added experience. I notice Mr free Brown, in his report, has left out all notice of an, aquarium. This is usually a most attractive feature of any exhibition, and now that the Lake Logan site has been selected, the position is altered to this extent, that a set of salt-water tanks can be erected, as well as those for frosh-water fish, etc*. This could not have been carried out had the Gardens site been selected, except, at prohibitive cost. If it is decided to make this important addition to tho whole scheme, it would bo advisable to set up a fisheries’ committee as soon as possible. These gentlemen would go into the whole question, obtain all available information, prepare plans etc., to submit to the directors. This could be done without committing the company to any but a trifling expenditure. It is a long time yet before definite action can be taken, but the information required ar> to supply of salt water, underground and overhead tanks, pumping and filtering arrangements, will take a great deal of time to acquire. Concrete work also for tanks will require to be completed some months before the tanks will be usable, as the free lime salts have io be dissolved out by soaking. If it, is decided to set m> a committee, I would suggest that Mr G. W. M'lntosh. president of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, and also Mr Stock, president of the Southland Acclimatisation Society, bo two of the members. Mr L. F. Arson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, would, I fed sure, give most valuable assistance, though ■ lie might not be able to act on a committee. Mr W. Adams, curator of the Portobello Marine Fish Hatchery, would also assist, but as he is servant of another body his services could bo secured later. I am already m communication with Professor Gregory, of the Bi-shop Museum. Honolulu, on the subiect. and hope to obtain from and througn Kim much information regarding the management, cost, etc., of fitting up and running some of the groat American aquaria. I am also obtaining information from the Melbourne Aquarium authorities which will be equally valuable. “1 bring forward this question of an aquarium and a fishery court thus early because a considerable time will bo required for preparations. Later on 1 shall glad to jrivo any assistance in my power in connection with musical arrangements (which will also need to be put in tram at an early data), and such scientific matters as an anthropological bureau, etc.”