Biggest ever held

Press, 22 September 1983, Page 26

Biggest ever held

The biggest Boat Show ever seen outside Auckland opens at Canterbury Court tomorrow at 1 p.m. This three-day Boat Show ’B3 is the second organised by Mancan Foundation, Ltd, the commercial company of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association.

Occupying all of the huge Canterbury Court exhibition centre, and the adjoining Alston Pavilion, the show features exhibits from 35 companies and boating organisations. So heavy was the demand for space that a special outside area has been allocated near the entrance at Twigger Street for additional displays of power boats.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the general public to see the latest trends in power and sail boats, equipment and accessories from around the world, and to obtain a greater appreciation of the work volunteer organisations are doing in the interests of boating activities,” said the director of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, Mr lan Howell

“There is virtually everything of interest to boating and water sport enthusiasts.”

Comparing Boat Show ’B3 to Boat Show *B2, he said that: “Last year, the show only occupied the Canterbury Court building and one-third of the Alston Pavilion.

“This year the space had had to be increased by 30 per cent to more than 3700 «q. m,” Mr Howell said. The boat show will be open tomorrow and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you are interested in the latest trends in power and sail boats, equipment and accessories from around the world, there is virtually everything of interest to boating and water sport enthusiasts at Canterbury Court. The wide range of exhibits includes cabin cruisers, trailer yachts, jet boats, dinghies, water skis, outboard motors, marine engines, sails, wind-surfing

and safety equipment. For the do-it-yourself enthusiast, there is even a display of kitset boats. One of the newer water sports is also featured — the ski water bikes, which have attracted much publicity overseas. A wide range of boat accessories is also displayed, including safety equipment, chandlery, fibreglass and marine paints.

One exhibit features wildwater rafting and kayaking, including static displays of river running equipment. Wind-surf surfboards are also featured, including a video presentation. The Canterbury Volunteer Coastguard has an exhibit highlighting the contribution it makes on water safety in this area.

The HMNZS Pegasus exhibit includes a 5.18 m clinker-built cutter rigged, with Reservists demonstrating bends and hitches. The Canterbury Sunburst Association has two of its sailing dinghies rigged. Of particular interest to power boat enthusiasts is the catamaran powerboat, Wraggs Quarterback. Admission charges are $2 for adults and $1 for children.

With more than 100 years of experience in industrial relations, the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, through its commercial company Mancan Foundation, Ltd, has significantly broadened its trade exhibition activities in recent years.

In addition to the annual New Zealand Industries Fair, the largest-attended exhibition in the South Island, Mancan now organises the Motor Show, Boat Show and House and Garden Exhibition, on an annual basis.

Within the next few years, Mancan expects to have at Canterbury Court virtually every month a specialist trade show covering exhibitions not only of interest to the general public, such as the Boat Show ’B3, but different manufacturing sectors represented in manufacturing industry in New Zealand.

The Association’s executive committee, including board members of Mancan are: Mr D. A. Bowron, general manager, G. L. Bowron and Co, Ltd; Mr W. B. Beaven, managing director. Andrews and Beaven, Ltd; Mr W. H. Broadhead, executive director, Lane Walker Rudkin Industries, Ltd; Mr J. D. Bull, director, Tait Electronics, Ltd; Mr C. W. Mace, managing director, Mace Engineering, Ltd; Mr A. R. Mac Gibbon, genera] manager, Canterbury Timber Products, Ltd; Mr J. R. Maddren, Maddren Bros, Ltd; Mr M. B. Restall, managing director, Reese Bros, Ltd; Sir Robertson Stewart, chairman of directors, P.D.L. Industries, Ltd; Mr A. D. Shadwell, managing director, Mair and Co, Ltd; Mr I. D. Howell, director, Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association.