The New Zealand International Exhibition 1906—1907

Progress, Volume II, Issue 3, 2 January 1907, Page i (Supplement)

The New Zealand International Exhibition 1906—1907

In our issue of December last we described the exterior chiefly and had illustrations of the main avenues. In the present number we devote our space mainly to the interior, giving special prominence to the Canadian and New South Wales Courts, with particulars of some of the principal exhibits. Visitors are struck chiefly on entering the building first with the hall, to which access is given by the fine vestibule. The hall, seventy-one feet square, is remarkable for its delicate colouring and the elegance of the ornamentation, and is lighted by a noble dome which rises to a heigM of ninety feet. Leading from the hall are the suites of rooms set apart for the accommodation of the Governor and the Ministers of the Crown. Comfortable they are and well designed, and there is also a room for the general manager North and south of the hall are the main avenues, in which are to be seen the exhibits of the private exhibitors. Of these we published comprehensive illustrations last month The Canadian and the New South Wales Courts never fail to strike the eye of the visitor, so well designed are they, so well furnished, and so well kept. On the west of the building, and running its entire length, is the big corridor, which has the air of a hall, so large is it and of such fine proportion At the end of this corridor is the great fernery , which is seen through large glass windows, and it has a very pleasant effect even at a distance It is evident at the first glance over the machinery hall that judicious use of many styles has been made by the designer. It has been well said, however, that throughout the design complete freedom from conventionality has been maintained. The main entrance of this hall is under the immense semi-circular roof spanning the great bay. The roof beams are semi-circular, and have been constructed on the laminated principle ; the clear span of eighty feet is the widest spanned by any round wooden roof in the world, the famous roof of similar character in Bayonne, France, having only a clear span of sixty-five feet.

The attendance to date has been highly satisfactory. Since the day of opening upwards of 500,000 people have passed through the entrance gates, and it is confidently foretold by the management that fully 2,000,000 visitors will have attended the Exhibition ere the gates are closed on 15th April next.