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Supplement to the Cork Weekly News.
SATURDAY, MAY 10.
THE EXHIBITION GROUNDS.
A GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
THEIR SCOPE AND PURPOSE.
There is a perfect unanimity of opinion, that no more beautiful site could have been chosen for the purpose of an Exhibition than the grounds that are in the vicinity of the Mardyke. It will prove a matter of real interest to every visitor, from the most emotional to the most prosaic, to note the buildings that rise on every side and form a most attractive group, and to observe how charmingly the sur-
throughout the Exhibition fill the fine hall with splendid volume of rolling harmonium sound. The frontage of the organ is 27 feet, from stands 30 feet high, and is 14 feet deep from stands back. It is a splendid instrument, and well worthy of the great occasion that called it into being. The visitor will turn from the Concert Hall and enter the Exhibition grounds, and there will there come under his notice a large pavilion—it is chiefly interesting to Corkmen, and in a more general way to visitors, because it contains a considerable number of souvenirs of the man who exerted himself for such a number of years to stamp out the evil of drunkenness, and make the Irish people sober and industrious. In fact the visitor is a second pavilion—it is called the President's ravilion—and compares favourably in size and appearance with the one just described.
There was no point missed by the committee when securing the Mardyke grounds, and the acquirement of the enclosure that forms the Sundav's Well Boating and Tennis Club is an addition that was valuable, because of its prettiness, and the use to which it can be turned during the progress of the Exhibition. These grounds are decidedly an acquisition, and so, too, is the cricket field, in which it is
Proceeding along the transverse avenue, the visitor will find himself in the Machinery Hall. This is 200 feet long and 100 feet wide. To which attention person, the contents of the hall are not appeal, but to the person of the practical man, who believes in facts and thinks a steam engine interesting because it is useful—the hall will appeal strongly. The extent and the variety of machinery will give a keen sense of pleasure, and here he will find an epiteme of the work—a day morning that makes a progress largely through the medium of the whirl of machinery, and makes little account of anything it cannot turn to practical use.
Connung out of the Machinery Hall the visitor will next find his attention directed to the Women's Section, which covers a superficial area of 3,000 feet, and which should be filled from day to day with all those who take an interest in building up an Industrial Ireland. Next to this comes the section under the immediate control of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Education, and the section encloses space to the extent of 15,000 superficials in connection with the Women's Section. Amongst the contents will be found a loan collection of artistic objects, in themselves well worth a visit. Then there are convent and school exhibits, and these include Carrickmacross and applique lace, and, alto-
need here only make mention of the Picture Gallery, valued at £250,000, because in another column there appears a notice of it—that is to say, of a selection of the best of the pictures. And still the far from the visitors will not still be gone from the Art Gallery when he will find himself in the shooting gallery, and from there may go to that interesting building the Topay-Turry House and the Switchback Railway.
If any interest is felt in the exhibits from Japan, Italy, and Austria—and who can doubt that thousands will from day to day through these sections?—they will be found in the Industrial Hall, of which mention has already been made. There is, of course, a Canadian section, and to see this the visitor must go to a pretty constructed building to the west of the Ferry Walk, and when he will be able to traverse a little further on he will be able to traverse a street in Curo—a very peculiar street—which he will view with mingled feelings, and pro-
Earl Cadogan, K.G., Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
roundings heighten the effect which is produced by so many splendid structures.
As the visitor enters the ground, he engages on the left-hand side postal, telegraph, and telephone offices—all well arranged, and affording every facility for the transaction of business. He will not have proceeded very far when the grand Concert Hall will exterior its attention, and if a glance at its attractor is satisfying a glance over the interior will prove more satisfying still. This will be best understood, by stating that the hall has a clear length of 150 feet, a clear width of a few feet, while the ceiling rises 50 feet clear from the floor, and has a magnificent roof span of 60 feet. It is, in fact, and the point deserves to be emphasised, a structure that indicates the business-like committee have worked from the incorporation of the project to the present moment. That the auditorium should be able to contain 2,000 persons without any over-crowding is an organization enough, but, in addition, there is an remarkable and a gallery, and on these three is accommodation for an orchestra and choir to the number of 500. This is aptly called an
R. A. Atkins, Esq., J.P., Hon. Secretary.
Industrial Exhibition, and it will industries, have a reviving effect, on Irish newspapers, and so it is fitting to mention that the splendid organ in the Concert Hall has been specially built by Mr T. W. Magaly at a cost of £1,200, and the reputation of the instrument possesses the best proof that the instrument is a tone and volume that will on many occasions
Right Hon. Edward Fitzgerald, Lord Mayor of Cork.
to be hoped the Australian cricketers may figure at least once in the course of the summer months because they would prove what the late Mr Barnum would call "a hard cash attraction" to the promoters of the Exhibition. Here, too, is that interesting side show to every Exhibition of any importance—a shooting gallery—with the addition of a number of varieties of tea house, bars, and kissles; in fact when the visitor gets on this spot he is likely to remain there for a very considerable time, and to decide that Exhibitions are well worthy of support when they can provide so much by may of entertainment for the fleetine hours.
Let us assume that the visitor leaves the Concert Hall on the left, and walks in a westerly direction—in that case he will reach the entrance to the Industrial Hall, and will find he must ascend three steps, which support four columns surmounted with Corinthian caps. These steps are made of Irish stone, at the hands of skilled Irish workmen, and the whole forms a most creditable piece of work. The way to the Grand Avenue is also in this direction and at the opening of the avenue the four corner turrets and a cupola. The section is certain to please by its impals. The four corner turrets and a cupola. The perspective effects. But the Industrial Hall, where the material resources of the country are illustrated must not be forgotten. It stretches away in every direction, and every inch of the flooring is occupied. This has a floor space of 170,000 feet, and contains a number of avenues which run parallel to each other, and one which runs in a transverse direction.
gather, this section will attract a good deal of attention. Finally, there are the philanthropic exhibits.
To the person who has never seen a Water Chute, the one in the Exhibition grounds will give a startling surprise. When the visitor passes from the Industrial Hall he goes along a path which leads by the riverside garden, and at once comes upon the water and, at the