H.-31

Sess. 11.—1897. N BW ZEALAND.

QUEENSLAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, BRISBANE, 1897.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency,

The Hon Mr. Laknach to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Wellington, '28th October, 1897. _ T have the honour to report that Mr. Meadows, the Secretary appointed, acting under instructions proceeded on the 22nd April, in charge of New Zealand Government exhibits per s ™Hauroto P " to Brisbane, and arrived at Sydney on the 26th April, thence leaving Sydney per st " Tyrian " arrived at Brisbane on the 4th May. He was met by the members of the Queensland Exhibition Executive and proffered every assistance in the arrangement of his exhibits To insure Sec care in transit, Mr. Meadows had wisely arranged for as many manufacturers exhibits as nos S ibeto accompany him ; but, owing to the short notice given to exhibitors, some were not ready wi hthe exhibits, and these consequently did not leave New Zealand in time for being placed in SeßSffipSr to the opening day. Several exhibits for which space had been bespoken did "*' SielsTdtrtagLTf Spment of such goods at Sydney are very great, not only on account of the delay which occurs there, but also from serious deterioration and damage that must take Place on Sydney wharves caused by the great want of sufficient shelter, together with careless handling and indifferent protection whilst goods are waiting transhipment The site "ranted by the National Association of Queensland for the Exhibition buildings covered about 11 acres, and it "is one of exceptional beauty and convenience. On a portion of the ground stand the substantial permanent brick buildings erected by he Association m 1891, at a cost o £20 500 These buildings comprise two large halls in which were in staled the mining court of n «fn-Lfl «SPthe art galleries Adjoining these courts was the concert hall m which, in 1892, a mS£ oganhafbtn built cottTg nearly £4,500. The loan of £30,000 from the Government SXaSSSSSS 1888 provided the funds for the buildings and the organ General exhibits from ail parts of the world were displayed in annexes strongly built of timber and iron a handsome and bush-house connecting the annexes with the permanent, buildings The the vXe of snace applied for by local manufacturers, traders, and exhibitors exceeded £4,000 should promoters of the Exhibition beyond the possibility of any The attendance on the opening day was very large-some thirty-five thousand people were estimated as being present; it was also large when any special show was held, notably so during Jubilee days a°nd on the occasions of the Annual Stock and the Agricultural Machinery Shows, held for three days, under the auspices of the National Association of Queensland. The total attendance reached over 320,000. NEW ZEALAND COURT. The snace of 8 000 square feet allotted to New Zealand was favourably situated, bordering on one of theTaL avenues Ind was exceedingly well lighted The frontage of our court was devoted machinery and general exhibits. The wall-space at the back was utilised for the display of many excellent photographs of New Zealand scenery, which, showed to great advantage, rfwlrerS admired by visitors* Attractive descriptions in conspicuous lettering drew attention to the Sent groups and the various localities of scenery represented It is satisfactory to noin out that the New Zealand Court quickly became one of the popular rendezvous of the ExhibiSn and very great interest was taken from the representations shown of New Zealand as a health and'tourilt resort, as well as for its many advantages offered, to settlers under the agricultural conditions and prospects of the colony. Notices placed in prominent positions throughout the buildings Sw attention to the fact that any information regarding exhibits, tourist routes, land, land-settle-