N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 46

N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

GRATIFYING RESPONSE FROM AUSTRALIA. Reference has been made recently in the local press to the published remarks of Mr A A. Paape, honorary travelling commissioner in Australia for the Exhibition, and this has been brought under the notice of the directors. It is thought, therefore, that it is desirable to inform the shareholders briefly of what has been done to obtain the support of the manufacturers and others in Australia. The Exhibition secretary, MrH.R. Spence, states: —“In the first place, preliminary circular Setters were sent out last December, and a second series in March to over 2000 addressees in Australia, and being- business houses, it is reasonable to suppose they were seen by quite double that number of persons. In March-April issues of the principal daily papers in Melbourne and Sydney advertisements appearing inviting applications for a manager at a salary of £2OOO for the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, and surely that notice would suggest that the Exhibtiion was of considerable proportions. . In the April issue of the Australian Manufacturers’ Journal (Sydney) the editor kindly made reference to the Exhibition, and had also a full-page (bird seye’ view of the buildings. The editor of the Industrial Australian and Mining Standard (Melbourne) also made reference in his paper to the Exhibition. In both cases the reference was a substantial paragraph in the reading columns of these widecirculating trade papers, and the directois are indebted to both editors for the free publicity given. Further, the directors have the active assistance of the New Zealand Government Agents at Air II J. Manson) and at Sydney (Mr W\ R. Blow), both of whom are helping the Exhibition in every way possible; and as they are so well known in business circles m Australia, the services of these gentlemen are of very great value in pushing the interests of the Exhibition. “Further, the Prime Minister, on the request of the directors, has approached tne Premier of each of the Australian Mates, anj so far the replies in at least two cases are regarded by the directors as more than encouraging the hope that at least two of the Australian States will set up a State court each. The directors have also got into closest touch with the Chambers of Manufactures at Melbourne and t>yaney, also with the British Empire Exhibition Commissions In all the Australian States, and are working towards obtaining at least some of those Australian exhibits now- at Wembley, which have been so highly spoken of in the press. The directors also nave the active assistance of H.M. _ Board of Trade representatives in the chief centies of Australa. They also have in New Zealand importers and agents many helpers m the good work of inducing manufacturers and others in Australia to take space and exhibit here next year. _ . . “ In 1923 New Zealand imported from Australia £4,300,000 worth of goods, of which £3.700.000 were of Australian manufacture. This places Australia third on the list of countries supplying us the United States being second on the list, and Great Britain first. These figures should be conclusive proof to most people that it is in the interest of Australia to take advantage of the New Zeaalnd and South Seas Exhibition and exhibit her wares here to such a good customer as New Zealand. A great many people are now cone erne., in working for the success of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition next yeax-. Progress reports on the activities of a few of file committees are of interest The Awards Committee, under the leadershin o f Mr E F. Duthie, for the time being completed its more immediate duties but these have been of the first miportance. Upon the rules and classification lists theie rests the whole fabric of the award system and the compilation of these has given this committee a great deal of food ,or thought. The Horticulture Committee undei Mi D Tannoclc has met regularly for some months past, and has for the greater _ part of the time been engaged >n preliminary work but visitors to the Exhibition will, when’ the time comes, be charmed with the results obtained from the labours and plans of this committee. The Space and Concessons Committees, xiE. F. Duthie as chairman, are m reality two committees, under hte one chairman, but their duties are somewhat on parallel lines and, in their vyay, of great importance, as the whole machinery of the exhibitors’ side of the Exhibition will run without friction only on the wise and prac-_ ticable decisions of these two committees. In addition their responsibility is great in respect of the revenue of the Exhibition, as space fees constitute the larger proportion 1 of the income required to pay overhead and administration expenses. The Transport Committee, under Mr h. C Campbell, like the Awards Committee, has for the moment done its part, and can now for a while at any rate rest on its oars The chief duties undertaken by this committee were the arrangements with the Customs Department, shipping companies, Railway Department, and Harbour Board, all of which have long ere this been settled more or less to their satisfaction The appointment of overseas agents foi the Exhibition was the last duty undertaken, and in the near future the transport of visitors will, necessarily engage the committee’s attention. The weekly meeting of the directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhi lion Company, held on Thuisdaj, was attended by Messrs J- Sutherland Rom (m the chair), 11. L. Taplev, C. b Peife>«. L L. Halsted, C. Todd, A. Barnett, H. FSincoclt, W. R. Hayward, and T. Somer '*Nlr \V. A. James was appointed executive commissioner of the Exhibiton a an C °A Tetter was received from the secretary of the Otago Harbour Board (Ml C. j Bardsley) stating that the compam s application "for a lease of land on the soutn side of Union street, opposite the Lx In m Gnu site, and the application from the < ity Council for the same area .(to be used as a balloon loop) would be discussed by the hoard with the company and the Citv council at a date to be arranged—Noted. Mr J. W. Collins, secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce wrote enclosing copy of a letter addressed by the Premier of New South V ales to the Prime Minister (Mr Massey)Referrnief to my letter of May 26 on tne Piinject of the New Zealand and South Seas Kxnibition to be held in the summer of 1925-26,

I have to inform you that I am now in receipt of a communication from the Commonwealth Prime Minister to the effect that the general question of commonweal'll participation in the Exhibition is now receiving the consideration of the Commonwealth Board of Trade, which is in communication with Mr H. J. Manson, New Zealand trade representative in Victoria, and the Empire Exhibition Commission. Ihe Prime Minister promises to write again, when further information is available on the subject.” A considerable amount of routine business Was transacted. Mr Hayward submitted the report of the. >V orks Committee. It read as follows: Mr Hayward reported that the Space Committee approved of Mr Anscoiube’s suggestion mat the machinery building should be increased by 30ft and No. 5 decreased by same amount. “Ihe question of storm water drainage was fully discussed, and it was resolved that the directors be recommended to request. the Exhibition, the Harbour Board, and the drainage engineers to confer and advise as to the best method of providing storm water drainage during the currency of the Exhibition, giving clue weight to the amount which may be recoverable on (a) the drainage on east side, (b) the drainage on west. side, if either of those becomes 1 ue site of the permanent drainage. Mhe matter of sewerage was discussed, when it. was resolved that the directors bo recommended to instruct the architect to confer with the drainage engineer and report. Mr Hayward reported that the subcommittee had waited on the superintendent of the fire brigade, who suggested that the water main snould fco carried right I:rough tile grand court to the rear of the concert hah, apd two branches led off same, about its middle length; that the two ponds should be of sufficient capacity to enable the steam pump to be used. The hre brigade superintendent was agreeable to treat the pump a s an exhibit.—Resolved that the directors 100 recommended to induct the architect to get into touch with the lire Board and prepare an estimate or cost of making- provision for the housing of the pump. “The question of turnstiles was discussed. —Secretary to write to the Lancaster Park trustees, Christchurch, for information regarding the style of turnstiles used by them. “ Letter from Mr Anscombe regarding spoil from excavations at University buildings read.—Resolved that the directors be recommended to instruct architect to arrange a dump for the spoil provided the material is suitable for the purposes of the Exhibition. “ The question of bringing the clay down the hillside was discussed, and it was resolved that the Works Committee reaffirm its previous recommendation, that tenders should be called for doing the work, the successful tenderer to have the use of the chute and plant if he wishes. —Messrs N ees, Simpson, and engineer to wait on Mr Palmer regarding the shifting of the clay at k he top of the bill. “ Letter from Otago Harbour Board stating that the board would not proceed with the formation of a culvert under Union street read. “ It was resolved to recommend the directors to accept the tender of Messrs Turnbull ar.d Jones (amounting to £301) for the electric lighting of No. 7 building.” The i-eport was adopted. Mr Halsted submitted the Music Committee’s report. It read as follows: “ The chairman (Mr Phillips) said that the _ meeting was a special one for the consideration of appointment of a choirmaster. After several members had expressed their opinions, it was resolved that the directors he recommended to proceed as follows: To advertise for applications for the position of conductor of the Exhibition choir. To confine the advertisements to Dunedin papers. That advertisement make no mention of remuneration. That when applications have closed a meeting of committee be held to select a conductor for recommendation to the directors. “On the suggestion of Mr Halsted it was decided to inform ihe directors that in the opinion of the committee the cost of the choir would be about £SOO, exclusive of cost of soloists.” Mr Halsted said that it was expected to get together a choir of four to five hundred voices Tlie committee did not think it worth while to advertise outside of Dunedin. as it was hardly likely that theie would be any outside applicants who would be prepared to come to Dunedin and stay here for some 12 months to train the choir at the remuneration which could be offered. The report was adopted. (Mr Somerville said that at the meeting of the sub-committee regarding local courts he had explained the position and brougnfc up the question of the treatment of primary products. It had been resolved to remit the question for further examination to another sub-committee. Mr C. Todd had been asked and had agreed to bring forward a plan of campaign for canvassing Otago and setting up of a provincial court. The report was adopted.