“SPEEDING-UP” AT EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

PROGRESS AT WEMBLEY.

WORKERS’ GREAT EFFORT.

When the King goes to Wembley on Wednesday (St. George’s Day) to open the British Empire Exhibition he is sure to be impressed by the great change which will have taken place since his last visit on March 25. On that day his Majesty expressed his satisfaction at the progress made since his previous visit, five weeks before; but still much remained to be done before the Empire in miniature emerged from the scaffolding, the stacks of material, and the necessary lumber unavoidable in so stupendous an undertaking. Then came the “trouble” with builders’ operatives, and for a day or so it seemed impossible that the exhibition could be anything like ready for the opening ceremony. During the past nine days, however, a tremendous speeding-up has taken place. The thousands of workmen engaged in their multitudinous tasks have displayed a zeal which has deservedly won the admiration of all who have come into contact with them. Since the removal of the embargo on overtime, and the eloquent appeal of the Colonial Secretary, every available hour and man has been used in an effort to carry the enterprise to completion within the limited time that remains.

A STAGGERING FIGURE.

Yesterday was no holiday at Wembley; the place was, indeed, a hive of activity, and it will be the same to-day and to-morrow and every day until Wednesday. In space of time twelve days are not much, but with 15,000 men on the job this Easter week-end’s work alone means 45,000 extra days’ work on the Exhibition, and 45,000 days equal 123 years. The results of this great effort are apparent in every one of the numerous buildings, great and small, which stud the enclosure. Those who were despairing that the time-table was becoming almost useless are optimistic again, for whereas it had seemed hopeless that the sections devoted to New Zealand, India, East Africa, and Palestine, for instance, could be more than outwardly finished, such progress has been made this week that even the most backward will be presentable for the Royal inspection on Wednesday. Many buildings are actually completed and ready for the opening, and others are almost at that stage. The lake – a pleasing feature of the grounds – has been cleaned up and filled with water; many roads have been remade since the traction engines conveying heavy material vanished from the scene; and pieces of sculpture have made their appearance in the “Gardens of Many Lands.”

The great Palaces of Industry and Engineering, filled with the works of human genius, await only the day; Canada and Australia are completed and occupied by exhibits which will help visitors to visualise these far-off Dominions; and India, yesterday gleaming white under a cloudless sky, with its wonderful reproduction of the Taj Mahal at Agra, its sunken courtyard, and beautiful, slender minarets, was the scene of feverish activity. New Zealand, not yet so far advanced as her nearest sister, is, however, rapidly installing the produce and industries which will complete the section; and South Africa, too, hopes to be ready for the opening ceremony.

East Africa can hardly be finished in time, but everything possible is being done toward that end. Yesterday the last touches were being put to the marvellous reproduction of the Assouan Dam, which will undoubtedly be a particularly striking feature of the section.

BURMA’S BELLS.

The west wind caused the thousand bells on the Burma building to announce their readiness, and the walled city of West Africa, wherein are the pavilions representing Nigeria, the Gold Coast, and Sierra Leone, were replete even to the natives of these lands and the sentry at the gate. Throughout the grounds the private home exhibitors were busy on the attractively-designed buildings they have erected to display their particular commodities. Now that so little time remains, work on or in many of these erections is proceeding day and night. The promotors of the exhibition have had a gratifying surprise for this feature, for the original estimate of £400,000 for the rents of these sites has been exceeded by £170,000.

At the Stadium the only thing to be done is to complete the erection of the dais on which the Royal party and the 1,300 guests of the Prince of Wales, as president of the exhibition, will take their places for the opening.