RECORD BROKEN

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 79, 28 December 1925, Page 6

RECORD BROKEN

HUGE CROWDS AT EXHIBITION

A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE

(By Telegraph—From a Correspondent.)

Dunedin, December 27.

Extraordinary as crowds at the Exhibition have been, all records since the opening day were surpassed on Saturday, when the turnstiles registered an attendance of 42,250. Since Thursday trains had been pouring thousands of visitors into the city, and when the gates opened in the morning the invasion began. There was a steady stream of visitors all the day, and in the early evening a tremendous crowd descended on the Exhibition; tram followed tram and bus followed bus, each packed to the limit, disgorging loads in front of the magnificently illuminated grand court. An audience of several thousands heard the evening programme by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Band, clamouring encores after every item. The amusement park was black with a crowd that poured itself round every device and sideshow, urged on by the delighted cries of those ahead of them. It was a magnificent spectacle which over 40,000 lucky people in New Zealand will never forget. In a broadcast talk, Captain Smallhorn, Australian Commissioner, said: “When I first arrived I was astounded at the magnitude of the Exhibition. I strongly urge all parents to leave no stone unturned to see that their children visit the Exhibition before its close. It will leave a lasting impression on their memories and provide an education which no child of the rising generation should miss.”