NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 350, 12 September 1889, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

[LYTTELTON TIMES, AVGUST 21.] A mbbtixg of the Canterbury Committee of the New Zealand Exhibition was held yesterday 'afternoon. The Secretary (Mr Kinsey) read the following report i— A fiBBAT AND NATIONAL UNDERTAKING. For one like myself, with so limited an experience of exhibitions and buildings, to attempt to give you an idea of the work that is now going on so actively and yet so quietly, might appear presumptuous ; but you will undoubtedly look for some account from me as your Secretary. TheExhibitionis.tr) be held, one may say, in the heart of the city, on a portion of the reclaimed land bounded by Crawford street, the railway, Anderson's Bay road, and Jervoia street, a piece of land which, bnt a short time since, was a dreary waste, but is now nearly covered with the grandest buildings of their kind ever erected in thia Colony, The principal approach to the building is by Crawford street, but the view here is unfortunately marred by a steam sawmill only recently built, and which outs off a view of the main entrance. However, having passed this, one is brought in front of the exterior of the main building, The indescribable feeling that came over me was almost similar to that which I experienced—-though then only a small boy—when I got my first peep of the 1862 Exhibition, The thought that struck me was, this is no child's play, but an undertaking that alt New Zealand must do their utmost to make a success, if they have the least spark of colonial pride and patriotism within them.

A SPLENDID BUILDING. The gigantic and beautiful main entrance is a credit to the architect and Executive Committee, of course in structures intended for the purpose this has to serve, there must necessarily be some similarity, but here the Dunedin people have an edifloe whose exterior will compare more than favourably with the rest of their handsome buildings, and which they need not fear will command the admiration of visitors. The turrets, the octagons, the dome, each surmounted with a huge flagpole intended to carry the flags of nations, all tend to give the feeling that a great holiday event is about to take place, and each and all ate to take part in some way or other. On entering the portico, the view that will present itself to the visitor is through the main entrance hall, grand hall, and thence into what will appear a bit of faiiyland, but which is to be a fernery, 125 ft long and 50ft broad, filled with the choicest and largest collection of ferns and plants ever got together in New Zealand. Proceeding into the main entrance hall, you have on each side of you suites of offices and rooms for the use of the President, Manager, Secretary, Directors, Committees, Press, Polios, Customs; also Post and Telegraph Offices; and continuing your way under a beautiful arch, you stand in the grand hall, octagonal-shaped, and supporting the gigantic dome, In the centre stands a stone pedestal, on. which will be placed the statue of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Turning either way you enter the main avenues. That to the left will hold the New Zealand Government exhibits, and that to the right will form the Early History, Maori and South Seas Court. These large main avenues lead into the corridors, which are to contain the exhibits of New Zealand, Australia, and Nations, One avenue, now all but completed, in which will be shown New Zealand exhibits, measures nearly 1200 ft long, so that, with the tjreadth of the Exhibition of 400 ft you can form some idea of what a walk round the building means. I ought to mention that the machinery annexes and space for 'side shows are outside and beyond this long oorridor.

GABDBtJSj CION'CEKT. HALL, MUSIC, The area enclosed by these avenues is divided, into two parts by buildings some 420 ft wide, which will contain the Fisheries Court, Aquaria, and Great Britain and Foreign Courts. That portion nf the open space nearest the main building is now arranged as gardens. The paths are formed of a sand of the same warm color as the Croydon gravel; the grass is already in good order, and the beds shaped and ready to receive the rare and ornamental plants and shrubs intended for them/ The other en« closed apace will be occupied with refreshment rooms, concert hall and art galleries. The concert hall, of immense aige, has a stage capable of holding a larger orchestra and body of singers than any in thia Colony. The floor is arranged part horizontally and part inclined, so that that portion of the audience farthest off will raised, while the level portion can also be used for. the many balls intended tq he given. I might here mention that the musical conductor. Mr Arthur Towaey. is devoting him. elf night and day to his work, and has secured from Melbourne and elsewhere and orchestra and ohorus capable of doing justice to the music they have undertaken. I trust some of the musicians and musical bodies of Ohriatohuroh may have an opportunity of showing their talents there.

CATBRIM. The dining-rooms are only yet partially erected, but I saw enough of the arrangements to convince me the Executive are wisely giving special attention to these and other refreshment spots about the building. The kitchen is being fitted with wood, coal, and gas stoves, storerooms, pantry, and wash-up rooms, lavatories, 4c. ; water and water services here and in the bars, &o. There will be public and private dining-rooms, open-air cafes and smoking accommodation, bars for the sale of fermented and spirituous! liquors and wines, also bars for temperance drinks, A glance at the catering specifics, tion, tenders for which are being advertised, will prove how thoroughly this department has received the attention it deserves.

THE ABT C ALLEBY, The building which is to accommodate the fine art collection is constructed in an isolated position, of bricks and materials of a noncombustible nature, and may, therefore, be considered practically fireproof. The brick walls dividing it into, six galleries leading one into another, nos only answer the pUTpoBJ of sspaegtiug the Fine Art svutiqus, but

: also provide extra space for hanging. Here, again, the public will have an opportunity of seeing a collection of paintings, engravings, sculptures, and other decorative and artistic work, which alone ought to be sufficient to attract visitors from all parte. To this, as to the other public courts, no extra charge for admission is to bs made. As I said before, the whole Exhibition structure is an honorable success to its architect and builders. It is a work of constructive ingenuity and architectural art and beauty, and it seems a pity such an edifice cannot be retained as a monument of the industry and resources of the Colony. HABD WORK : IMPARTIALITY AND INTEREST. The arrangement and settlement of the space for the exhibitors is proving a task of the most arduous nature ; so many questions arising, so much explanation between the local Committees, the officials, and contributors. None but those engaged in such a service oan have an adequate idea of the onerous and harassing duties which are imposed on the Executive ia attending to and accommodating ail classes of contributors ; and I can personally testify, from what I saw and heard, they are showing a remarkable impartiality and good sense in the discharge of their important functions. In Messrs Roberts, Joubert and Twopenny, exhibitors have men who will give full justice to their claims, irrespective of who they are or where they come from. The contributions coming from Her Majesty the Queen of England and others, the liberal manner in which British, Foreign, and Colonial exhibits are to be represented, are a guarantee that the building will be crammed with objects of interest. With such a social and moral movement, and an educational attraction before us, the Government and Provinces ought to take full advantage of the occasion by assisting, where necessary, those who cannot possibly afford to visit the “Great Show." The poorer class of laborers, with their wives and children, the children of Government schools, orphanages. &0., all ought to be enabled to visit Dunedin to see the marvels of art, skill and industry. Wholesale and retail traders, Companies, bankers and solicitors should remember the services of their clerks and employees, and afford them time and means to partake in the general jubilee, as also should masters and mistresses grant the same indulgence to their domestic servants.

THE DIBFBBUNT COURTS. I have already distributed programmes and circulars referring to the various courts, sections and shows, but for your information I will again tabulate them;—(l ) Fine Arts Department—Loan collections consisting of (a) British loan collection, (a) New Zealand loan ooUeotion. General exhibits, consisting of (a) British, Focelgu, and Colonial works of Art, (b) New Zealand works of Art, (2.) Industrial and Workmen’s Court—Home Industry section, to include exhibits of every disoription executed by (a) Mechanics and others, (») Apprentices, (c) Women, (n) Children. (6 ) Working section—To include all classes of works shown in active operation, Early History, Maori and South Seas Court —To contains illustrations of ths following departments:—!. Language. 11. Arts of life. 111. Arts of pleasure. IV. Science and religion. V. Paintings, engravings and photographs. VL Illustrations of the changes produced on native races by contact with civilisation, VII. Illustration of the arts of life, dances, &c., to ba given by a troupe of Natives from various Islands. VIII, Nonperishable natural economic products of the Islands', timber, sugar ( Cane, $O. IX. Manufactures from the raw to the finished products, e g., sugar, copra and tapiooa. (4.) Fisheries Court—Section A : 1. Stuffed and other specimen? of native and introduced edible and useful fishes. 2. Similar exfiioits of species which it would be desirable to introduce into the Colonies. 3. Specimens of fish, 40., showing various stages of dev? lopment. Section B: 1. Exhibits of fish prepared for household purposes by drying, 40. 2. Products of fisheries fqr general purposes. 8. Ornamental shell work, 4. Methods of preparation of 1 and 2, Section C: Appliances used in citebing fish. Section D: Apparatus usedin hatching and rearing of fish : Section E : Books, papers, drawings, and statistics of fishes and fishing industry. Section F : Salt and fresh wster aquaria, with living specimens. (5.) Schedule of dairy produce and analogous exhibits for special shows to be held during the Exhibition, to include cheese, butter, preserved milk, honey, hams and bacon, and lard. (0.) Schedule of grain and other agricultural products, for special shows to he held in the Exhibition. (7.) Prize Schedule for Wool Show, to bs held in January next, for the International General Champion Prize of the 1889 clip. (8.) Official Programme of the Education and Science Court.—Section I.; Primary Instruction. Section II.: Secondary Instruction. Section III.: Higher Instruction, (9.) Wines.—Division f. : Natural Wines, blended and not blended. Division 11, : Fortified and Liqueqr Wines, (10.) Beer, Cordials, Aerated or Mineral Waters.

The Chairman had been very agreeably surprised by what he had seen of the building. The matter had been taken up in a thoroughly business like manner, and the arrange, meats were such as would induce people from all parts of Australian to visit Dunedin. What was being done in the Exhibition was being well advertised not only in Australis,, bflt also in England. There seemed to be no local feeling at Dunedin, and he and those who had gone with him to inspect the building could not help feeling regret that there was not more enthusiasm shown in Canterbury. The Exhibition was going to be a success, and the people of Canterbury would regret not making as good an appearance there as possible. He hoped that the Canterbury peeple would mak« the best of the time left for action,