ATTENDANCE PRIZE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 100, 22 January 1940, Page 9

ATTENDANCE PRIZE

Not Quite Reached At Exhibition 1,100,000 UP, TODAY Visit By The Marquess Of Willingdon Though the 1,100,000 th visitor to the Exhibition did not pass through the gates as expected on Saturday night, the hundred thousand prize was so near to being claimed that the Exhibition authorities decided that it would be unwise to publish Saturday’s attendance figures and thus give a valuable clue to seekers after the £5 attendance prize. The prize, it was stated, was certain to be claimed soon after the gates opened this morning. The Marquess of Willingdon, representative of the British Government at the centennial, accompanied by Lauy Willingdon and Senator P. A. M. McBride, the Australian Government representative, accompanied by Mrs. McBride, paid a short visit to the Exhibition at night, arriving at 8.30 p.m. On their tour of inspection they were accompanied by an official party headed by the chairman of directors, Mr. 1. C. A. Hislop, mayor of Wellington, and Mrs. Hislop.

On Saturday morning when the turnstile opened, the attendance figures were 26,819 short of the, first 100,000 past the million, but so popular did the Exhibition prove, particularly at night, that it is safe to say that more than 25,000 people were present. Many remained out of doors, where a cool breeze tempered the heat of the sun’s rays. Stalls selling ice-cream and cool drinks did a thriving trade, but all the stalls appeared busy, specially at night. Playland was crowded and all the amusement devices seemed to be popular. There were many who stood round singly or in groups and watched the fun, but usually they succumbed to the lure of Playland and joined the queues in front of the ticket-boxes.

The St. John Ambulance men had a busy day because of the heat. They had the assistance of two nurses and a male member from Wanganui, and one man and two cadets from Masterton. One woman had a heart attack and two other people had seizures. The ambulance men also looked after a Masterton boy with a bilious attack. Centennial Serenaders. Looking very striking in their black and gold satin costumes, Will Bishop’s Centennial Serenaders gave two concerts on Saturday, the first in the afternoon and the second at night. Vocal, instrumental and humorous items were well received, and a large crowd sat outside and listened to the concerts in preference to walking through the courts in some parts of which the heat was oppressive. The popularity of the visiting Taranaki and Wanganui Maori party was shown by the large crowd which attended their concert in the Maori Court on Saturday night. There will be general regret when they depart for their homes toward the end of the week but they will give one or two more concerts before they leave. At the conclusion of Saturday night’s concert, presentations were made by the Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club to ten of its members who are to leave for service overseas with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. In making the presentation, Mr. Xingi Tahiwi, on behalf of the club, wished the recipients good fortune and a safe return. Presentations were made to the following:—Captain E. T. W. Love (writing set), Captain P. P. Tahiwi (silver cigarette case), Messrs. Henare Ngata (cigarette case), Charles Bennett (writing set), ■ Dudley Sinclair (fountain pen set), Julian Waretine (tourist outfit), George Bennett, T. Bennett and I. Ropata (sets of brushes). Salvation Army Concerts. Two short concerts were given at the Salvation Army pavilion on Saturday night, when Major 11. C. Gofiin introduced a party of little girls from the Owen Street Home, one of the many institutions for girls and boys under the direction of the Salvation Army. The versatility of the performers was most marked. The star artist was only two years of age and she provoked much amusement. Mr. D. Kruger played the accompaniments and directed the girls. These girls perform twice weekly at the pavilion, on Thursdays and Saturdays from 7,30 to 8.30 p.m. Miss Una Carter, who demonstrates twice daily in the Gas Company’s exhibit in the General Exhibits section, had an interested audience on Saturday night when she made a children’s party dish —a rabbit-hutch in cream and egg jelly. The addition of a chocolate log, mushrooms made out of meringue and grass made with jelly completed a delicacy that would gladden the heart of any child and not a few grown-ups. Miss Carter also made individual summer salads, walnut fingers, a sponge sandwich special and a madeira cake. Period Frock Parade. One of the most popular features of the women’s section is the dress parade of period frocks depicting fashions during the past 100 years. The loans committee of the women’s section went to an immense amount of trouble to secure historic period gowns and previous parades have been crowded. Two parades

will be held today, the first at 2.30 p.m. in the assembly hall aud the second at 8 p.m. in the Women’s Court lecture hall. Tonight in the bandshell the Wellington Municipal Tramways Band, under the conductorship of Mr. E. Franklin, will give a concert, commencing at 8 o’clock. Sergeant Milligan will play a cornet solo, Bandsman Roskvist a euphonium solo, and Miss McKay and Mr. J. Morrison will play Scottish airs on the bagpipes, with band accompaniment. The band music will include marches, waltzes and an intermezzo. The banquet hall today will be occupied by the Royal Sanitary Institute conference. Trade with Palestine. Examples of the work done by Jews in Palestine and also by refugees from Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Poland are to be seen in the Palestine stall in the general exhibits section at the exhibition. Mr. E. Hirschfeld, New' Zealand representative for the Foreign Trade Institute of Palestine, who is in charge of the stall, which opened on Saturday, said that the New ZealandPalestine Trade Exchange Company was endeavouring to establish a regular trade between the two countries. New Zealand fruit and dairy products could be exchanged for potash and other Palestine products. Interesting photographs of the new Palestine adorn the walls of the stall and a moving picture is screened in the assembly hall every day, showing the holy places and also the new buildings in Palestine.

TREASURY STAFF AT EXHIBITION

Large Amount In Cash

Handled Daily Most of the people who change a £5 note, a £1 note or a 10/- note, at the change windows at the Exhibition are unaware that a special department of the Exhibition treasury had to be created to ensure an adequate supply of change for all requiring it. The treasury staff numbers six, and one of its duties is to have £7OO in cash, made up the night before, available for change-clerks, parcels officers,, inquiry officers, publications-sellers, toilets and car-parks. This amount is made up in sums of from £5 to £lOO. Mr. A. C. Sceats, pffleer in charge of the Exhibition treasury, explained at the weekend that the amounts of £lOO were required for the change-clerks because after the turnstiles opened, the clerks needed additional silver to redeem the notes presented to them by visitors seeking admission. The reserve in the treasury office was later replenished out of the takings from the turnstiles (all coins) which were cleared at 1.30 p.m. and then at frequent intervals till 10 p.m. The cashiers in the admissions department counted and weighed the takings in separate denominations in bags of £5. The bags were handed over to the treasury staff, who checked them by weighing and paid out the equivalent sum in notes. The admissions department thus banked all in notes which were deposited periodically with the Exhibition branch of the Bank of New Zealand. The early difficulties about change had been speedily overcome, said Mr. Sceats, who recalled that on the opening day of the Exhibition, when £-100 only bird been available for distribution among the change-clerks, that amount had soon been found to be inadequate. In fact, half-an-hour after the turnstiles had opened the clerks found themselves without change. “As much as £3500 has passed through the Exhibition treasury in a single day,” said Mr. -Sceats. “Statistics show that, on the published admission figures, 1/li worth of change is issued to each person visiting the Exhibition. “When the banks are closed, as will happen on Anniversary Day, the Change department may have to provide change facilities for the whole Exhibition.”

INVASION NEXT MONTH

Large Southland Party To Visit Exhibition A large party di athletes from Southland is to visit the Exhibition next mouth, spending nearly a.week in Wellington. . n ~ Mr. C. S. Mac Kay, organizer of the Southland court at the Exhibition, said that he had received advise from Invercargill that a party of at least 100 and possibly 250 would leave Invercargill for Wellington ou Tuesday, February 13. The visitors would attend the centennial siports meeting at the Basin Reserve on February 16 and 17. and would spend as much time as possible at the Exhibition before returning to Invercargill ou Monday, Februai-y 19.

“Tlie importance ot this Southland invasion,” said Mr. Mac Kay, “is that we feel that it may stimulate other centres to follow our lead.” Mr. Mac Kay is planning to entertain the visitors in the Southland reception room.

Exhibition Highlights

Every signature in the Roll of Commemoration helps to compile the Centennial Record which is to be placed in the Dominion Museum to Commemorate New Zealand’s Century of Progress.

Exhibition Cabaret tonight, fun and frolic galore. Anniversary ball, dancing from 9 p.m, subscription 4/- single. Special attractions and novelties, including Margaret Churchward, featuring the Cuban rumba and the hots, and a racing ballet arranged by Hazel Martin. Book your table now for Film Crash Squad night on Friday next, January 26. Come and meet the man who has doubled for all the Hollywood film stars, Reg (“Krash King”) Kavanagh. Watch for further particulars. Do not miss hearing Manuel Raymond and his all-star orchestra, appearing nightly at all our shows. Telephone your reserves, 18-526. * • «

You simply must see them. You can’t stay away. The St. Moritz lee Skaters. It’s the most daring . and colourful show in Playland.

First, foremost and forever. The best place to eat. The Exhibition Restaurant and Cafeteria. Incomparable in food, environment; service, at popular prices. * « «

Pencils, pens, pipes, tobacco pouches, cigarette cases, in fact Souvenirs of every description at Aitkens Arcade Stall, opp. Cafeteria.

“The Horror of Sea Warfare” revealed, the Great German Torpedo and naval mine. Explained in detail at Barney’s Stall, Playland.

The Blue Pavilion can be seen from distant hills, but the Little Theatre inside must be seen to be believed. Visit today and assist the crippled children.