DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8644, 3 December 1889, Page 2

DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

THE FINANCIAL VENTURE. The cost up to the opening day has been, roughly speaking, about £40,000 in aIL The building, the Star says, has outgrown expectations, but in proportion has cost less than was estimated; the receipts from nearly all sources have been in excess of the first calculation; and it is confidently expected that though no profit will ensue the shareholders will receive back a large proportion of the money they guaranteed. As instances of the increase in the receipts, it may be observed that only one thousand season tickets were expected to be issued, whereas up to Thursday last this number was exactly doubled, and the catering privileges and side shows realised more than was anticipated. From all that can be known as to the probable financial outcome, there is not the least need for apprehension. Shareholders were reminded over and over again that in subscribing for shares they were not merely putting down their names as a matter of form, but must be prepared to pay every penny for which responsibility was accepted ; but clearheaded and experienced men are conducting the enterprise on business principles, and the measure of success achieved so far warrants the expectation that the final balance-sheet will be such as to cause neither reproach nor discontent. It may be here said that the Government have amply redeemed their promises of support, and have done even more than was at first expected, having given the free use of the Post and Telegraph Office for Exhibition purposes, free passes on the railways whenever asked for, and the use of the electric light for the gardens and fernery, besides largely endowing the Mineral Court, defraying the expense of the Armament Court, and paying the cost of transit of the English pictures. It will probably be interesting to give a few statistics Avith regard to the component parts of the building. Three million feet of timber comes first on the list — all New Zealand timber, principally red pine. Over 60,000 ft of glass, 20 tons and more of nails, over 1500 casks cement, 80 tons o£ wrought iron, between two and three hundred thousand bricks, from fifteen to twenty tons of lead, and 60,000 sheets of galvanised iron, weighing over 300 tons. The main building was contracted for by Messrs M'Math and Walker, who have carried out their contract in an exemplary manner. The rough painting all through the building was done by Messrs H. S. Fish and Son. It may be interesting to mention that the Executive are lighting the building throughout with 10,000 coloured gas lights.