An International Fair.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 18, 3 May 1911, Page 7

An International Fair.

To ho-M an international fair in Auckland two years hence—an exhibition bigger than any yet held in New Zealand—is the hope and ambition of certain leading citizens of the city. Already the Chamber of Commerce, backed by the Provincial Industrial Association, has gone into the matter, and the president of the former institution. Mr. Leo Myers, interviewed by a “Star” representative last week, outlined an interesting scheme, indicating on what lines he thinks the exposition, if decided upon, should run. Mr. Myers said the Council of the Chamber of Commerce felt that the time had now arrived when another exhibition should be held in Auckland. It was 13 years ago since the last exhibition took place in the Metropolitan Grounds. That venture, under the able guidance of Mr. B. Kent as president, and Mr. W. R. Holmes as secretary, had proved a big success. As a matter of fact, the present building in which the Chamber of Commerce was housed, in Swanson-street, owed its existence to the surplus obtained on that occasion. The proposal to hold another exhibition in Auckland in the near future had met with universal approval. It seemed to be generally recognised amongst the business men of- the city that nothing would more admirably serve to advertise the progress of Auckland, and the potentialities of New Zealand in general, and Auckland province •in particular, than an international fair, to be held in two or three years’ time. The first suggestion had been to make the exhibition coincident with the completion of the Panama Canal, and thus manifest New Zealand’s interest in the culmination of one of the most ambitious engineering schemes the world has ever witnessed, and one that it was generally believed would play no unimportant part in the future commercial development of this Dominion. Further consideration, however, had convinced many of those interested that the more opportune time would be 1913, or about two years hence—a period sufficiently long from the inception of the scheme to enable its sponsors to do justice to it. The educational value of such an exhibition, Mr. Myers pointed out, could not be over-estimated. Many people in New Zealand itself were quite unaware of the industrial advance made during the last decade and a-half, while the improvements in mechanical methods was also a feature worthy of observation and investigation. It would further seem an excellent opportunity for instituting a pictorial historical pageant, depicting the history of New Zealand, which, if properly carried out, could be made not only an entertainment of a distinctly interesting character, but an educational feature of no inconsiderable importance.

“Whereabouts in Auckland could a ■uitable site be found for an exhibition on such a largo scale?” was asked of Mr. Myers. ■ “The problem of location for the proposed exhibition has yet to be solved,” readied the president of the Chamber of Commerce. “My first impression is that .the best site would be that portion of the Domain opening on to the acclimatisation gardens and artificial ponds. ■These would make a charming adjunct ,to the exhibition, and in gauging the possibilities of success one cannot afford to overlook the artistic side, as that will appeal to many as a source of attraction when they may be weary pf puzzling over the intricacies of the freezing engine, or the simple mechanism of the milking machine. Were the gardens and ponds brilliantly lighted at night, they would present a sight of unique beauty. The ground adjoining is. sufficiently level to allow of all difficulties in this direction being easily overcome. There is. however, one important problem that will confront the managers, should it be decided to hold the exhibition in this part of the Domain,'and that is the question of easy access. It might be possible to induce the Tramway Company to run an electric line, either from Khyber Pass, via Park-road, or from Parnell, or possibly a junction of the two stages, so that people might travel from either Manukau-road or Khyber Pass direct to the exhibition door. This is, however, a matter for the Tramway Company to consider. Should it lie found impracticable to deal with j,he question of access in the way I have indicated, there is the alternative of folding the exhibition in Victoria Park. Experience has shown that to insure financial success, the exhibition itself , must be within easy bail of the eity, M> that people are tempted to regard

the fair as almost a daily source of entertainment and instruction. Should the Harbour Board and City Council regard favourably this suggestion, there is no doubt that ample room for the purpose could be found at Victoria Park. The only drawback would be the difficulty of making the exhibition in thia locality as artistic a success as would be possible were the Domain site chosen. An additional argument in favour of the latter site is that as far as pedestrian and vehicular traffic is concerned, the Grafton bridge would again justify its existence, in catering for enormous numbers of. people who might not feel disposed to utilise the electric cars, and who would thus lie brought within three minutes’ walk of the ground by the penny section cars.”

“How is it proposed to deal with the financial phase of the undertaking?” “It. appears to me'that New Zealand has arrived at a stage of its development when it would be justified in holding a somewhat ambitious international exhibition.” said Mr. Myers. “Sir Joseph Ward has already intimated that he regards the project with favour, and has stated that Government will lend its financial assistance to make the exhibition the success that the prosperity of New Zealand undoubtedly warrants it should be. It would, of course, be necessary to strengthen the financial position of the exhibition by obtaining a substantial sum in guarantees, which should be spread over a large number of people. Thus, if the guarantee "fund were called on, the guarantors would not feel that a' severe tax was being put on them. When the San Francisco Exhibition of 1915 was recently decided upon, the enormous sum of £1,500,000 was guaranteed by the residents of that eity, which has just emerged so triumphantly from the disastrous visitation of five years ago. We, of course, cannot hope to carry out an exhibition on such big lines as the people of the Golden West, but I am convinced that if the business people of Auckland, aided by the few men of leisure in our midst, will work together in a whole-souled and enthusiastic manner, there is no reason why Auckland should not distinguish itself by having ah exhibition that would far eclipse any yet held in New Zealand. That, at all events, should be our ambition.”

“Recognising the success made of the last exhibition by Mr. B. Kent,” added Mr. Myers, “I have asked that gentleman (on the approval of several members of the Chamber of Commerce) if lie -would allow- himself to be nominated for ths position of president of the forthcoming exhibition. If he accedes to this request, the city will be most fortunate.”