THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 22 December 1927, Page 6

THE EXHIBITION.

A BUILDING PLAN. Interesting suggestions which may open the way to practical consideration of the erection of an exhibition hall in .Mastcrton -are made in a letter addressed by the Borough Engineer (Mr C. B. .Malison) to the chairman of the Industrial Exhibition Committee (Mr 1). N. Edward;-). Observing that the Exhibition has been such an unqualified success that lie concludes the committee will be considering making it an annual fixture, Air Mabson offers a lew sugges tions, as he says, for what they are worth, and in the hope that they will be accepted in the spirit in which they arc made. That the space available is far too small, he observes, everyone will agree, and it is with that fact in mind that lie offers his solution of the problem. “'The Defence Department. ’’ he continues, “requires a new hall, and is due to have its requirements met in approximately live years, I understand from the Department, and bv co-operation with them on the lines set out below, Mastcrton may possess oil up-to-date building suitable and of sufficient size for these shows. ‘Site. Defence Department to arrange transfer of their lease to block of kind. ;it corners of Queen, Bussell and Dixon streets, owned by Trust Lands J rust. Building to have full frontage to Russell street and two chains frontage to both Queen and Dixon streets, with entrances on all three sides. Defence offices to be on the south side of the buildings as shown oil sketch attached. Wall to be constructed of concrete blocks and roof to be steel bow string an-h, covered with iron, which would he everlasting, of solid appearance, and fireproof. The floor to be clay only in main building, and proper timber floors in offices. The coifcrcte blocks to be procured from the Prisons Department, by the Defence Department at. cost price, which is very little, being made by prison labour. Assume cost of building at £2000—7 per cent on capital outlav, £l4O, which would be rental charged to Defence Department for use of hall till their allotment falls due for purchase of building. The Defence Department pays £7O approximately per annum for present lease, so that new charge would be double. To offset this I suggest that a charge of £•> per night be made for use of the lui.ll, and that the sum collected from hirers be credited to the Department’s rent to reduce same and bring it more within range of present rent, thus: Rent-£l4O, less 14-day hire at £.4, £42, would make the Department’s rent approximately £9S per annum, as against £7O at present. The capital cost to be found by local business men, which sum would be guaranteed by the Department at 7 per cent interest until purchase,'say five years hence. Once you have, a lnigoi hall, then I would suggest classification of exhibits as follows: —1. Mastcrton manufactured goods only. 2. ANnirarapa goods. 4. Dominion goods. 4. British Empire goods. 5. Foreign exhibits, any kind. Each of these sections to occupy different portions of hall. Uses of Hall: Industrial Exhibition 1 week, Winter Show 4 days, Motor Show 4 days.”