NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTHR SEAS EXHIBITION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5634, 3 December 1889, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTHR SEAS EXHIBITION.

(KROM OCR OWN' COnUKSI'OXDIiXT.) Duxbdix, Wednesday. New Zealand should be proud of the success winch has attended the opening of its greatest Exh ; o : tion, and especially p.'oud all coloirsts should be of the enterprising Dunedinites who were the promoters of such a gigantic 2>ageant, which was opened with all pomp and deserving success yesterday. The gentlemen in whose hands was entrusted the welfare of the venture have had of late greatsatisfaction given them by the liberal manner in which colonists have come to their as_istarce and the fullest assurance was given that their labors would be bountifully rewarded by a rich harvest. In this they have had no reason to be disappointed. For some time past Dunedin has been preparing for an influx of visitors, but large as the accommodation was that was provided the demand fully came up to the supply, and the city has been crowded nearly to overflowing. Outside this city the dimensions of the Exhibition are hardly comprehended and it may even be said the sanguine Dunedin people were surprised when the doors were thrown open, and they were enabled to survey the great display that is presented. In all respects may the Exhibition be classed as a success, it is a worthy show, and so far patronised right royally At the early stage people have nocked far and near to join in the great carnival that has just commenced. How many more will come is best judged by instant success of the enterprise and by the well founded idea that a great deal is to be gained by waiting until all exhibits are to hand and in positien. Despite the incompleteness of the Exhibition on its opening day it must be said that it presents an imposing view and reflects exceeding credit on the colony of New Zealand. For these small islands of the Empire it was hard to anticipate that such a huge success would be achieved by an Exhibition, as enterprising as the Commissioners might be. Undoubtedly the Commissioners have been enterprising, and especially so tho President— Mr John Roberts. It is satisfactory to note the readiness with which other provinces and other colonies have come to lend aid. The jealousies which it is well known have existed between Otago and neighbouring provinces are decidedly absent, and unity reigns in the desire for the general good of the colony and each district in particular. At no Exhibition has New Zealand taken the opportunity for such a big advertisement as is now being given our country. Other colonies are well represented at this show, but in every way are they eclipsed. The products and natural wonders of our fruitful country are not to be equalled by the tinest displays of our neighbors. Congratulations then be given to "Otago fov the success which has attended the opening of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. THE EXHIBITION. A few citizens met together twelve months ago and founded the modest idea that it might be possible to secure a considerable portion of the exhibits that had been on view at Melbourne in 1888, and with these and as many fresh exhibits as could be obtained to make a display of an international character. It was ultimately resolved to form a company for the purpose, with a capital of LIO.OOO. This amount was readily forthcoming, and then the capital was increased to L15,0()0. Government assistance was invoked and the Ministry dealt liberally with the requests of the Commissioners. Pecunhuy assistance was promised, and has been •given to the extent of L10 ; 000. Besides this, Government has given free use of the Post and Telegraph Offices for Exhibition purposes, free passes on the railways whenever asked for, and the use of the •electric light for the Gardens and Fernery, largely endowing the Mineral Court, defraying the expense of the Armament Court, and paying the cost of transit of English pictures. The L nion Steam Ship Company have done much to induce traffic, and it is a pleasing feature that the Steamship Company and the Government Railway Commissioners have worked so well together. To Cook's Tourist Agency Company is deserving the highest praiseforinducing so many visitors from other colonies and countries. W lien m-eliminarydifficulties were got over goodwill was received from outside places, and, this being due to the public spirit which has actuated all the promoters and exhibitors, the work proceeded with alacrity and smoothness. There were always doubts and fears, but energy proved triumphant, and with several exceptions the Exhibition was got in a forward state by the time appointed for its opening. A circumstance has delayed British representation, which will be fairly large for hardly an international representation, and a week or two will elapse before all is completed. r lhe Exhibition is in as forward a state at its opening as is the rule with moat exhibitions. The cost up to the present time has been estimated at L 40.000. The original estimate of receipts, which now presents every promise of being greatly augmented, was L 39.000, inclusive _ot Government subsidy, but not considering calls on capital. In many instances the estimated receipts have been more than doubled. THE BUILDING. The Exhibition building encloses an area of 12-Jr acres of ground. There cannot be said to be any great architectural display, though the front presents a creditable appearance, and is far more handsome than one is led to believe by the woodcuts that have been .so largely circulated. To the visitor who has not been previously well informed a sight from the high land close by affords a feeling of pleasant surprise at the magnitude of the structure and a satisfaction that he has not come on a worthless journey. The main building itself is of irregular quadrilateral shape, its two longest avtsnues running parallel. A dome, which rises to a height of 80ft and of 50ft diameter, is situate at the main entrance. On the front of the building are four square turrets, 40ft high, and two octagonal towers are also contained in the building, which is besprinkled with flagpoles, from -which a good display of bunting imparts an air of gaiety. In the construction have been used three million feet of timber, HO, 000 ft of glass, 30 tons of nails, 80 tons of wrought iron, 15,000 casks of cement, 300,000 bricks, 18 tons of lead, and 300 tons of galvanised iron. I here are 10,000 colored gas lights. The electric light illuminates the Art Gallery, warden's and fernery. At night the array of lights in this twelve acres space preHeats a cheering sight. The admission turnstiles are placed within the great antehall inside the entrance doors. THE OPENING CEREMONY. You have already received as fully as it is necessary an account of the opening ceremony. Let me again reiterate the success of this. What a crowd of invited guests and those who had paid expensively, but not too dearly, for the privilege of seats in the gallery was assembled. Those who had reserved seats took their places whilst the procession through the town was proceeding. There was a feeling of bewilderment at the sea of facts that greeted the visitor who arrived, as I did, at 11 o'clock, and the perplexing question at once presented itself "where is my seat." Repeating my number "Block 1 K .3," over and over again, 1 was finally ushered through the throng to the seat allotted me, and only then had time to realise and reflect on the great congregation and beautiful hall. On the stage

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