N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 30

N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

A meeting of the directors of the New Zeaiand and South Seas Exhibition Company, held on Wednesday, was attended by Messrs C. Speight (in the chair), T. Somerville, W. R. Hayward, C. Todd, Tl. F. f Sincock, and P. L. Halsted. The Chairman said that a.s regards a water supply to the park, tne position was that they would have to get permission from the W est Harbour Borough Council to tap its main from the city.—Noted. Air Somerville said that he was waiting for a report regarding the educational exhibit. The committee which had been set up had the matter in hand. Mr Hayward submitted a. plan of the railway siding to Logan Park. He said that ho had conferred with Mr Benzoni, the district railway engineer, in regard to the siding.—The plan was approved. Air Hayward reported that the Railway Department had written stating that if the company wanted old sleepers it would have to pay their value. He said that this ended the proposal regarding the use of old sleepers.— Approved. The Hon. W, Downie Stewart , wrote staling that he had written to the -Minister of State, for Home and Territories, Melbourne, asking his assistance in carrying out the proposals of the company in regard to an Australian art exhibit. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart wrote stating that the Government bad agreed that the High Commissioner’s Office should be used for the dissemination of information concerning the Exhibition, to receive all applications for space, etc. and to collaborate with prominent New Zealanders now in London with the object of establishing a national court representing Great Britain. The Publishing Committee reported on various matters reflating to advertising, the issue of circulars, etc. The quotation of the Postal Department for advertising on post marking machines at Auckland, Wellington. and Christchurch had been deferred pending more definite information.—The report was adopted with the exception of one or two clauses, which were referred back to the committee for further informal ion. Tbe Horticultural Committee reported that the secretary had notified it that he had received a telephone message from Mr Anscombe’s office, stating that the estimated cost of Ihe fernery was £llOO. The chairman had introfluoed Air R ft. free Brown, and asked him to explain the matter of levelling the building site, particularly the grand court, and also as to the “shoot” for clay from Palmer’s quarry. Air Brown had stated that the contract for levelling embraced about 15 acres, and included the grand court area, and the excavation of two ponds. He stated that it was somewhat rllflionilt to get on with the work and keen off the grand court. After considerable discussion it had Keen resolved that the directors he recommended to have the lea-el. ling of Ihe grand court ar°n done roughly, nud that the nenrls he not excavated in the meantime. Afr Brown explained that in setting up the “shoot” he had been minted hy the exnerience of Bnlmpr’s quarrvmon. hut he found that whilst Inmno of clnv nr drv “stuff” would run. the “shoot” did tint' work too well with wet clav or against n heavv -wind. He now nrnnosad (o nut in a lie tram to do the work. This, would mm down the shoot structure, the full truck nulling en Ihe eruptv one and crossing in the wuldle length Tn nnv ease no work could he done owing to Ihe flooding of the, ground noth storm water and until that wnc removed the tramway from the bottom of the shoot to the snorts ground eouVl not he gone on with. He estimated the post of the tig tram would not he any greater than the shoot \ letter from the secretary of the Yurspvvrnpu’s Association hod been read, quoting prices for TO GfiA geranium nlauts After some discussion It had heeu resolved that the secrefarv he Instructed to write and thank the aesoc'a. lion for its quotation and advise It that Ihe matter was receiving consideration t a definite renlv would he sent In a month Tt had heen resolved that the, dlrp.et.ers should he requested to ehtnfn from the architect a quarter-scale plan of the grand

court, showing the positions, etc., oi the ponds.—The report was adopted. , The report ot the Awards Committee dealt mainly with the question of analysis of foodstuffs, etc., and stated that Dr Inglis had given valuable information on this subject. After dealing with the whole subject exhaustively, Dr Inglis had expressed the opinion that it would be impracticable, even if desirable, to submit compulsorily every class of foodstuffs for analysis, and stated that in some, cases analysis would not prove much, if anything, and lie instanced several lines. It had been resolved that provision be made in rule 15 to the effect that if jurors so required it auy competitive exhibit must, he submitted for analysis by such qualified analyst as fho directors may appoint for that purpose. It had also heen resolved that all foodstuffs that did not oomplv with the New Zealand Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908. and regulations thereunder, would he excluded from competition for award. —The report was adopted. THE EDUCATION COURT. The meeting of those interested in education, held on Mav 3, appointed a committee at the invitation of which some 40 persons recently met to discuss further the setting up of a Court of Education at flip New Zealand and South Seas" Exhibition. On the motion of Mr J. C. Stephens. Mr .Tames Wallace (chairman of the Otago Education Board) was appointed chairman of the meeting. Mr Wallace explained the object of the meeting, and his remarks were supplemented by Professor White. After a general discussion it was resolved that an executive committee consisting of eight members should be elected to be the administrative body in connection with the proposed court. Four members were elected forthwith bv the meeting—namely: the Rev. Dr Cameron, Professor White, Messrs James Wallace, and J. C. Stephens. The remaining four members of the executive will be the chairman of each of four sub-committees elected amongst themselves, by representatives of the University, secondary, technical, primary, and kindergarten schools, details of which will be arranged later. The meeting unanimously elected Air James Wallace, chairman of the Executive Committee, and Messrs Carrington and AlacLean as joint secretaries. In due course, when the necessary particulars have been collected, the committee will lay before the Exhibition Company’s directors definite proposals for the Court of Education. THE AWARD SYSTEAI. It would seem early days in the life of the Exhibition to be discussing awards, but this is a matter which requires consideration a long way in advance of opening day. The. overseas exhibitor wishes to know whether there will be an award system on a competitive basis, and as a. matter of fact a cable was received from London last month asking this very question. The Awards Committee (Afr E. F. Duthie chairman) has had several meetings, and so far the decision has been to make awards competitive, but entrance of exhibits for such to be optional and not compulsory. The awards will be a gold medal, first order of merit; silver medal, second ; whilst in exceptional cases, on a 75 per cent, majority vote of the group jury, a grand prix may be awarded. The work of classification of exhibits for judging purposes is now receiving attention, and already valuable assistance has been rendered the committee by Professor Park and Professor Inglis, of the University of Otago. It is expected that the rules setting out conditions for fudging, and for the appointment of jurors will shortly be completed, as well as a full classification of exhibits in groups and classes.