WINTER EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 137, 11 June 1926, Page 5

WINTER EXHIBITION.

INTEREST BEING MAINTAINED. GOOD ATTENDANCE REGISTERED. TO-DAY'S MANY ATTRACTIONS. Interest is being: maintained in the Auckland Winter Exhibition, which i= being held in the Prince's wharf sheds. Despite the fact that the gate receipts show a decrease on the first two days last year, good attendances have been registered. It will be remembered that during the 19*25 function the American Fleet was in port and this was responsible for a large influx of holiday makers from all parts of the Auckland Province. The gate receipts yesterday totalled £295 12/6, making a total for the two days of £498 2/6." The*e figures show a decrease of £217 17,') on the first two days last year. To-day saw large crowds of country visitors in the city, most of whom found their way to the Exhibition. Many schools were given an opportunity of seeing the various exhibits during the day. At night the spacious sheds are transformed into a veritable fairyland. The various stalls and long avenues are a blaze of light, the whole making a most attractive display. The "Amusements Park." There are many exhibits from the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition held in Dunedin recently. Then there is "Chocolate Alley" and various other sideshows which have been brought up from the popular amusements park at the "bis: show down South." As at the exhibition held in Dunedin, these sideshows and amusement parlours are a_ decided draw to the Auckland Exhibition this year. Last night, and again to-day, ladies were to be observed carrying huge ornamented boxes nf chocolates round the building, the prizes having been won on the "roll down"' tables, of which there are fully a dozen or more. Special mention must be made of tha butter and cheese exhibits, as well as that of the agricultural department. Not only are the "men on the land" attracted by these exhibits, but the people of the city are taking particular interest in them. A feature of the 1020 Exhibition is the number of free entertainments which are being given during the day and evening. There is never a dull moment and amusement is always to be had by both younsr and old. Music is supplied by Mr. P.H. Meredith's orchestra in the afternoon and during the evenings Mr. S. Green's orchestra" occupies the stand. Concert parties sive various items each evening as well, and the Ponsonby Boys' Brass Band is also in attendance. Hard Working Officials. i As far as exhibits space and entertainment are concerned, the 1926 Auckland Exhibition promises to eclipse all others. The success is in no small measure due to the amount of work and organisation put in by the executive committee, headed by the joint presidents, Mr. W. W. Massey and Mr. J. A. C. Allum. The general manager, Mr. J. Findlaj-, has also ii<?.d a busy time but the man who has had the bulk of the work to do is Mr. A. D. Stanley, the secretary. He has been busy from early morning till late at nislit. "and to date all the arrangements have worked perfectly. A word of praise is due to the various stewards who attended the judges. Those stewards were courtesy personified, and the manner in which they handled the results made it possible for the Press to secure the awards at: the earliest possible moment. Special mention should be made of the Press steward. Mr. Pascoe, and it was mainly through his help and assistance that the general public knew the results of the various competitions so quickly through the Press. Official Smoke Concert. Last night the Winter Exhibition authorities tendered a smoke concert to visiting delegates, as well as others interested in dairying- in the Auckland province and had with him Mr. \V. M. Singleton, director of the dairy division of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr. W. Grounds, chairman of the Dairy Control Board. There were no speeches. A splendid musical programme was provided, however, the following contributing:—Lyric Quartet. Mr. I. Harris. Roberts Bros., Mr. A. Ripley. Mr. A. McElwain, Mr. L. Stuart, Mr. Austin, Messrs Richards and Thomas. Mr. J. Mashiters and Captain Gibbons. To-day's Programme. The programme to-day included an inspection of the dairying exhibits by factory managers and members of the Government dairy division. This afternoon the annual grading competitions were held. The competitions included the Dominion championships for grading in butter and cheese. Corrected Judge's Award. In the fancy sewing section, the second prize for fancy table centre was announced as having been awarded to Miss E. Robieson: this should have been Miss M. Allan. A PROBLEM SOLVED. ARTISTIC FRONTAGE FENCES. GUNN'S CONCRETE BLOCKS. Anybody viewing the display made by Messrs. A. and A. Gunn, of Takapuna. cannot but be impressed with the artistry and general effect of the various exhibits. The frontage fence has always been a problem. Maintenance and deterioration are big factors, but ■with concrete blocks not only can an artistic design be obtained, but the work is permanent. The advantages over all other fences are evident. Rockeries harbonr weeds, rats and rubbish. The fen i , built of concrete blocks has no such factors to denounce it. No person interested in building should miss viewing this interesting exhibit, whidi serves to indicates a few of the various forms in which concrete may be used for structural and decorative purposes. The products of this enterprising srm include faced concrete blocks, copings kerbings. balustrades, garden seats and steps, paving slabs, boiler casings and ventilating blocks. All the designs are Mr. Gunn ! 3, but they will make to architects' and builders' own designs if required. The frieze blocks are most useful in gar*ge work, fireplace decorations, cornices, dados, etc. The materials used in the manufacture of the firm's products are of the best quality procurable, and are mixed in the most suitable proportions to secure duability and finish. In some of the exhibits there are pebble and rubble effects, rock faces, plain and fancy faces, and the public can gain a definite idea of how their homes can be improved by the use of concrete blocks as manufactured by Messrs. A. and A. Gunn.