CLIMBED BY 20,000 PEOPLE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22908, 3 January 1940, Page 12

CLIMBED BY 20,000 PEOPLE

1 ■■ ■ """ CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION TOWER BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF BUILDINGS Since opening day, about seven weeks ago, more than 20,000 people have climbed the tower at the Centennial Exhibition to get a bird’s-eye view of the buildings and grounds far below them Last Thursday, when more than 30,000 people visited the exhibition, the figures showed that 8 per cent, of them went up the tower. For 2400 people to climb the 155-foot tower in one day is considered sufficient proof by the exhibition authorities that the view is worth the climb. At the top of the tower is a visitors’ book, which may he signed py all who make the ascent, and in it is a column for comment. The thousands of remarks all indicate that the view at the top is certainly worth the effort. An additional feature is a special postbox and a stamp-vending machine, so that exhibition visitors may post their mail high in the air and have it specially post-marked by the Centennial Exhibition Post Office. The postmark indicates that the letter was posted at the top of the tower, and has on its rubber stamp a picture of the tower and the words, “New Zealand Centennial Exhibition.” From this vantage point, an excellent idea of the lay-out of the exhibition is gained. Beyond the exhibition can be seen the Bongotai aerodrome, Lyall Bay, and Cook Strait. On clear days the South Island may be seen. To the north stretches Wellington harbour, Petone, and the Hutf valley. In a period of six hours last Thursday it was shown from the sale of tickets that one person went up the tower every 14 seconds.