Canadian Court
- The Canadian Court was a large and impressive display of the industries and produce of that country.
- The pavilion in which the court was housed had its own entrance and its interior was praised as "a fine example of decoration".1
Introduction
The Canadian Court was described at the time as "Incomparably the finest commercial and industrial display from outside the boundaries of New Zealand … In beauty of general arrangement and in the skilful exhibition of its immense variety of contents, it was a model court."2
Building
The Canadian Court was located at the south-eastern portion of the Exhibition Building, near the Armagh Street entrance. It had a pavilion-front of its own with a special entrance. The design of the pavilion corresponded with that of the Main Building; the pediment over the entrance bore ornamental decorations of corn-sheaves, symbolising Canada's great agricultural industry. The frontage of the court was 152 feet (46 metres). The total space occupied was 11,900 square feet (1,106 square metres); the floor and wall-space devoted to exhibits was 18,000 square feet (1674 square metres). The entire court was surrounded by a series of graceful and decorative arches which plainly defined the bounds of the display.
The Pavilion included "a beautiful reception-room … fitted with Canadian oak furniture … and handsomely decorated in red, gold and green [with] … grains and grasses native to Canada [and] large specimens of heads of the moose and caribou … together with pictures showing the scenery of Canada".3
Displays
The Canadian Court featured large mineral displays, particularly nickel, cobalt, asbestos and corundum. Agricultural produce included maple syrup, preserved fruits, honey, confectionery, cheese and whiskey. The remaining areas of the Pavilion were devoted to manufactures: motor cars, cycles, carriages and wagons, pulp wood paper, rubber goods, office and household furniture, and musical instruments, among others. A particularly interesting exhibit was the cedar-planked canoes, based on Indian designs.
People
The Canadian Commissioners were Mr. T. H. Race, representing the government of Canada, and Mr. W. A. Burns, the commercial representative. They were accompanied by three experts: Mr. R. L. Broadbent, mineralogist ; Mr. A. W. Despard, in charge of the decorations; and Mr. L C. Knowlton, in charge of the fruit and other food exhibits.
Related photos
Sources
- "The Canadian Court", The Weekly Press, 7 November 1906, page 109
- Cowan, J. Official record of the New Zealand International Exhibition of Arts and Industries held at Christchurch, 1906-7, page 242-249
