RAPID PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 95, 24 April 1939, Page 11

RAPID PROGRESS.

EXHIBITION COURTS. APPROACHING COMPLETION. WORK PROCEEDING APACE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. At an accelerated speed, the Centennial Exhibition buildings at Rongotai are fast approaching completion. All the main courts are now either practically finished or in the last stages of internal construction, and work on the groxinds is proceeding apace. The buildings of the British and Australian Government pavilions and part of the London pavilion will be started shortly. Next week work will begin on the erection of Playland. The structural modelling of the Dominion court and the Waitomo Caves will be finished within the month, and from thence forward its preparation will entail purely detailed modelling, lighting and finishing effects.

Remarkable progress is being made with the preparation of the Dominion court, which is to be one of the main attractions at the Centennial Exhibition. The court is to take the form of a gigantic model of New Zealand on a wholly unprecedented scale.

Already under the high roof of ilie 100 yds long hall has grown up an illusory landscape presenting many strange and interesting views. A large staff of modellers and artists is hurrying on with the task of reproducing in amazing detail not only the whole countryside of the Dominion, but even large sections of the main cities, in which every individual building will be accurately portrayed. Elaborate Models. The modelling staff of the Dominion court was busy yesterday preparing accurate ground plans of the main cities, on which streets, shops, wharves and public buildings would later be arranged. A temporary studio in the motor section, hitherto occupied ■by motlel makers, has been replaced by a permanent series of workshops fitted with the modern lathes and precision machinery necessary for such accurate work. The making of the model houses has for a time been abandoned, most of it being completed.

Girl artists were yesterday engaged in modelling Nelson tobacco plants from the real plants. The tiny replicas, although only an inch or two high, were wonderfully exact. Indeed, the extent of the detail to be provided in the" court and the thoroughness with which it is being executed are a continual source of wonder to visitors.

In spite of the magnitude of the work ahead, of them, those in charge of the court are confident of being finished in time for the opening. The animation of the various moving models has been begun. Creche and Restaurant. The creche near the Tirangi Road entrance is now practically finished. Plans of the other main pavilions are ready, and the work will be begun shortly. A huge model of the Tower Bridge, which is to be a feature of the Port of London pavilion, is under construction in England and will be shipped out shortly.

The restaurant is finished, and work is proceeding with the kitchens and fittings. Flooring ie being laid in the engineering and general exhibits sections. The interior of the women's section and the- assembly hall are receiving attention. The Government court ie far advanced, and the constructional work on the Departmental sections is being carried out.

The next important step will be the fencing of the Rongotai College playing fields and adjacent space, which ia being used as the site of Playland. Already tons of tubular steel are awaiting erection. Since the return of the Playland manager, Mr. Henry Seff, and the arrival of his ground staff, plans have been made for an immediate start.