HOKITIKA EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17220, 11 December 1923, Page 4

HOKITIKA EXHIBITION.

PREPARATIONS WELL ADVANCED. . (Special to the “Star.”) HOKITIKA, December 10. Preparations for the Exhibition which is to be opened in Hokitika on Saturday next are being pushed forward at a very rapid rate. The structural portion of the work has been completed and the erection of the stands has also been finished ready for the mounting of the exhibits. Practically the whole of the space available has been booked, the exhibitors numbering between 135 and 140. A commencement was made to-day with the mounting of the exhibits and the decorating of the stands and very rapid progress has been made. The indications are that practically the whole of the exhibitors will have 'finished their preparations before the time fixed for the opening. The total space occupied by the exhibition is about forty-seven thousand square feet and this is sufficient to permit of a most comprehensive display being made.

Special features of the Exhibition will be the displays having special reference to the province of Westland, and in this connection it is expected that much will be done to remove the popular impression that the Coast has no industries other than gold seeking and milling. The dairying and agricultural section of the display will be particularly strong, and • the Department of Agriculture will stage a special exhibit for the purpose of educating the farmers of Westland in the treatment of the West Coast land. The question of accommodation for visitors to the Exhibition is being tackled by the committee in a practical manner, and it is confidently expected that accommodation will be found for all visitors who go to Hokitika during the currency of the Exhibition.