N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19256, 21 August 1924, Page 8

N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

MEETING- OF DIRECTORS. Tho weekly meeting of the directors of (he New Zealand and HPuth Seas Exhibition Company was held last night, and was attended by Messrs J. Sutherland Ross (chairman), P. L. Hoisted, 11. L. Taploy, T. Somerville, C. Todd, Peter Barr, A. Baa-nett, and 11. F. Sincock. It was decided to send a cablegram to Mr Hainaworth (London), tho newly-ap-pointed manager, requesting him to make arrangements to catch the steamer leaving San Francisco for New Zealand on October 8. In connection with tho site of tho sports ground for the University at Logan Park, it was decided to notify tho University Council that the directors would bo pleased to meet it in conference to discuss the matter. A letter was received from tho Hon. Downie Stewart, stating that he thought there would Ixj no difficulty in making the payments of the £25,000 Government grant to the Exhibition Company in September and October. The matter would have to come before Cabinet for final ratification. A large amount of business was transacted in committee. WORKS COMMITTEE, The Works Committee submitted tho following report;— “Report by Mr R. S. Orce Brown regarding clay for sports ground, drain and scrub wall road and approved, Opoho Creek: The chairman (Mr J. 8. Douglas) reported on the sub-committee’s meetings with the city engineer, Harbour Board engineer, and Mr ivloudy, agent for Logan’s trustees. Tho reports were _ approved, and it was resolved that the directors be recommended to proceed noth tho work of the athletic field on the basis of a 50ft margin being left from the boundary of the Logan trust property, tho_ architect to prepare a plan on the above lines. Mr Anscombc stated that the pegs would bo put in accordingly on the ISth inst. A letter from the secretary. Otngo Harbour Board, asking with whom their engineer would consult regarding the storm wafer drainage was read.—Secretary to advise Harbour Board that their engineer could consult with Works Sub-committee on tho matter.*-—Tho matter of bringing the day down the hill was considered, and it was resolved to reaffirm the committee’s previous recommendation that tenders should be called for this work. Letter from E. Anscombc covering copy of letter from Abbotsford Tileries regarding broken tiles for pathways read.—Referred to architect and Mr Simpson to report on after experiment, with crushincr of tiles had been made. Letter from W. West regarding iron invented by him for use in place of weather boarding read.—Referred to architect for consideration and reoort. Night watchmen : Architect reported that two men had been required to work at night to keep drains clear and prevent flooding of Exhibition buildings. Fire insurance: Architect to report, to secretaiy regarding provision made for fire insurance on buildings in course of erection. Fire prevention service: The laying on of temporary watermains for fire prevention was considered, and the architect reported result of his conference with the fire superintendent, and waa authorised to make the necessary arrangements for the City Corporation laying tho pipes.”—The report was adopted. The Musical Committee submitted the following report:— “The secretary read a cable from the Higli Commissioner stating that no military band was available. —Received. The Chairman (Mr D. Phillips) reported verbally on behalf of the sub-committee in the matter of Mr E. J. Gravestock. A full explanation ~ i "en of the interview with Mr Gravcsi.uu. Mr Phillips said that Dunedin -would be, the first place in New Zealand where Mr Gravestock’s nominees would perform, and possibly even before going to Australia. After some discussion it was resolved unanimously to adopt the report of the sub-committee and to recommend the directors to accept Mr Grnvestock’s offer. It was decided to supply each member of the Music Committee with a copy of Mr Gravestock’s letters and to call a meeting of the committee on Mr Gravestock’s return to Dunedin to discuss details, etc., with him, if the directors decided to accept his offer. The Secretary read a letter from Mr Paget Gale accepting appointment as choirmaster. The Chairman stated that Mr Gale had left a memo, containing certain suggestions, and it was decided to deal with these seriatim:—(l) Works to be produced: Tho list was read, but it was considered that new works should be produced, and after discussion it was resolved that “The Dream of Gerontius” (Elgar) be chosen definitely and that Mr Gale be advised of this by wire. It was resolved to request the directors to authorise the purchase of 500 copies of this work. The estimate of cost to be supplied to the secretary by Messrs Bennell and Ritchie. Stiff cover copies to be procured. Meeting of choirmasters and conductors: This suggestion was approved, and Messrs Benneil and Ritchie were appointed a sub-committee to advise the secretary as to the form of letter to be sent to choirmasters and conductors. Eiioir: It was resolved to recommend the directors to advertise for applications for members of the choir and to notify applicants that a test of members would be made. On the motion of Mr Reynolds it was decided to write to Dr Coward and ask his advice as to what works should be produced, and to request him to cable reply at company’s expense. It was left to Mr Reynolds to draft an appropriate letter.” The Chairman explained that Mr Gravestock was going Home to arrange a tour of various artists through Australia and New Zealand, and that a visit to the Exhibition could be one of the incidents to the tour. Any artists engaged would come to Dunedin first, so far as a visit was concerned. Whether they would go to any other town in New Zealand would depend on tne amount of support they received in Dunedin. Mr Gravestock asked for a certain subscription towards his expenses to go Horae, and had agreed that if the directors did not engage any of the artists no payment would be made to Mr Gravestock. He asked for a payment of £350, and had entered into a bond to repay the amount if any of the attractions offered wore not accepted. Mr Gravestock would cable out the names of tho people who might be acceptable, and the directors could either accept or reject. Mr Gravestock had also agreed, if the directors decided to accept only a proportionate number of artists, to reduce the amount of his expenses proportionately. The report was adopted.