HOLIDAY CROWDS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 109, 1 February 1940, Page 11

HOLIDAY CROWDS

Exhibition Has A Good Day Yesterday ATTENDANCE 22,379 Canterbury W.D.F.U. Party Entertained Holiday crowds flocked to the Exhibition yesterday, the attendance being 22,379. Of late the average attendances have shown a marked increase on the pre-Christ-mas figures and the present daily average of 17,801 is considered extremely satisfactory in the light of the earlier disappointing attendances round the 9000 mark, caused by unseasonable weather, lhe total to date is 1,299,499. Yesterday’s visitors included a large proportion of country people and also many who are visiting Wellington to attend the Eucharistic Congress.

The Exhibition authorities stated yesterday that inquiries were still being received from out-of-the-way places as to when the Exhibition would close. The inquirers had obviously not read the recent announcement that the tentative closing date was May 1, but that the directors of the Exhibition Company were considering an extension. The courts were crowded throughout the day, the models and moving exhibits proving of particular interest. Many family parties enjoyed picnic meals in the grounds, find then inspected the exhibits at their leisure in the cool of the evening. Playland was not neglected, and when the wind fell after nightfall, the devices attracted large numbers who had previously remained indoors. • party of 40 members of the Wellington Girls’ and Boys’ Crippled Children Clubs visited the Exhibition yesterday, and were taken through the Miniature Theatre free of chargeThe display of Central Otago fruit on a table in the Otago Annexe in the Dominion Court has occasioned much favourable comment. Supplies of fruit are being provided for display by the Central Otago fruitgrowers. Till December, last, season's apples were on show, and then cherries, but now fresh supplies of beautiful apricots and peaches arrive twice weekly by air. They are thus on exhibition 24 hours after leaving the orchard. Rapidly becoming the most popular centre for children at the Exhibition is the recently completed "Kiddieland” —an area of more than an acre, designed for children, only. It is en-’ circled by the miniature railway and has a community bouse for parents in the centre of the playground. Swings, slides and a dozen different types of play apparatus are available for the children, and every day sees greater crowds of youngsters enjoying these facilities. Will Bishop’s Centennial Serenaders concert parly, which has proved so popular, was yesterday engaged by the Exhibition authorities for a further series of six concerts. Three of the present series have yet to be given. Taylor's Novelty Band, which has 'been engaged to play at the Exhibition, will give its first performances in the bandshell on Saturday afternoon and night. Air. J. H. Taylor, the conductor, has been prominently associated with brass bands for many years. He formed the present combination with the idea of giving musical knowledge to young people and assisting any deserving cause or charity which came to his notice. The band is self-supporting and relies on voluntary donations for the upkeep of its instruments, which include piano-accordions, chromatic harmonicas, piano and strings. There are several vocalists and soloists who are sure to prove popular with Exhibi" lion audiences. The numbers range from simple melodics to classics. The bam] will Im arrayed in colourful scarlet and black bolero costumes. Every Seventh Wave, Generally acknowledged to be t.he highlight of the display in the Australian Pavilion is the replica of au Australian beach scene. By means of a clever illusion the breakers appear to roll in to the miniature beach, and on every seventh wave a surf boat, manned by a tiny crew, rises in a cloud of spray and then sinks again into the trough of the wave. The model figures on the beach of a bathing party and a life-saving team are among the most realistic examples of human modelling in the Exhibition.

Last night in the bandshell the Wellington Citadel Salvation Army Band, under the halon of Bandmaster H. IL Necve, gave a concert. A feature of the performance were the cornet solos of Mr. Herbert Geard. The programme ■was as follows:—March, "Pakefield” (It. Richardson); selection, "British Melodies" (arr. Gullige) ; cornet duets, •‘Cheerful, ’’ (Jakeway), soloists, deputy-Bandmaster H. Geard and Bandsman IV. Hawkins and “Cujns Animuni" (Rossini); cornet solo, •‘Serenade” (Schubert), soloist, deputyBandmaster H. Geard; selection, "Moments AVI th Tchaibovsky” (arr. Coles) ; march, “The Liberator” (Marshall) ; selection, “Scandinavian Songs” (Coles); cornet solo, “Variations on it theme by Eric Ball”; selection, "Excerpts from Great Masters" (arr. Gullige); selection, “Memories of the Bast” (Jakeway) ; march, “Chicago” (•Stevenson). There will he a further concert tonight in the Maori court by members of the Ngati-I’oueke Young Maori Club. About (1(1 junior members of Canterbury branches of the Women's Divi-

sion of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union were entertained at morning tea in the reception room at the Exhibition yesterday by Mr. and Airs. J. E. Tait, mayor and mayoress of Sumner. Mr. Charles Todd, deputy-chairman of directors of the Exhibition Company and chairman of the executive committee of the Dominion court, welcomed the party ami expressed his pleasure at meeting so many members of the farming community from Canterbury. He explained that the Dominion court was a new departure in exhibition technique, and instead of being a glorified winter show was a complete representation of the country’s life, both farming and industrial. He said that he and the other directors of the Exhibition were anxious to do all they could for visiting parties and visitors from outside Wellington, and in proof of this he stated that more than 1000 cups of tea had been served in the reception room that month. Mr. C. H. Clibborn, a member of the Canterbury executive of the Dominion Court, also welcomed the party and congratulated them on their enterprise in coming to Wellington. He said he hoped-they would go back to Canterbury and tell their friends that the Exhibition was worth seeing.

Mrs. L. Coop, president of the North Canterbury provincial section of the ■Women’s Division, on behalf of the visitors, expressed her gratitude and thanks for their welcome and entertainment. Members of the party, she explained, came from all parts of Canterbury and she felt that, though it seemed that many people in Canterbury had not realized how good the Exhibition was, the members of the party would go home and spread the news of its excellence. The party included Mesdajnes J. Henderson. D. AV. Ensor, 11. A, Ashton and A. F. Roberts ns chaperons. Air. Clibborn said that he had received an apology from the president of the Exhibition, Air. Sullivan, Alinister of Industries and Commerce, for not -being able to welcome the party personally.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SALON

Official Opening The international salon of photography, which includes photographs from ton countries, was officially opened at the Exhibition last night by the general manager. Mr. C. P. Hainsworth. The display, which is near the Alaori court, seems assured of many visitors as the quality of the work has never before been equalled in New Zealand.

Air. J. AV. Salmon, president of the Wellington Camera Club, said that for the second time in two years Wellington had the pleasure of seeing an international photographic exhibition. The first had been the pictorial section of the 1938 exhibition of the Royal Photographic Society in London, which had been lent to New Zealand and exhibited throughout the country. The present salon contained samples of the finest photographic art from all corners of the earth. On behalf of the Wellington Camera Club, Air. Salmon thanked the Exhibition Company for the facilities made available and the ready response when overtures had first been made to hold the salon in the centennial year. In declaring the salon open, Air. Hainsworth said that he had been associated with exhibitions since 1902 and in conjunction with most of them salons similar to the present one had been- arranged.’ “I wish to express my appreciation as manager of the Exhibition,” he said, "at the excellent collection you have .been able to arrange. I am informed that it is the finest ever brought to this country. AVhen the proposal to hold the salon at the Exhibition came forward, I at once endeavoured to accede to that request because 1 realized that it would be a desirable adjunct to the Exhibition, which is out to show thp progress of science, industry and art in every sphere.” Mr. Hainsworth apologized for the absence of the chairman and members of the directorate, but said that they had expressed their intention of visiting the salon later. He mentioned that the salon would be open for a month and would then lie succeeded by a display by the Wellington Sketch Club.

Exhibition Highlights

Notable visitors have signed the Centennial Roll of Commemoration, including the Papal Archbishop Panico, and Archbishop O'Shea. Make sure you sign the roll today and receive your certificate of attendance. •

Tonight—Dancing 9 p.m. till 1 a.m. at the Exhibition Cabaret. Ring 18-526 to reserve tables. Subs. 2/6 single. Late buses, 12.10 a.m. and 1.10 a.m.

German industries captured! By British Mandated Palestine. Our duty is to retain and develop these industries by buying Palestine-made products so that Germany can never win them back. Visit the “New Pal,” Palestine Exhibit today; next Cafeteria.

Exhibition Restaurant and Cafeteria. Where food tastes better; lhe environment nicer; the service quicker; the selection wider; the prices popular. Where you'll meet your friends.

You must, see them today! Playland’s most colourful show, “The St. .Moritz Ice Skaters.” Daring in its presentation; fascinating and thrilling to see.

Hitler’s tools of Nazi hate! 'Mechanized murder of merchant mariners. You must see them today. Barney’s Stall, Playland.

Call at Aitkens Arcade Stall, opposite Cafeteria, for the best variety of Souvenir Goods. Best value at the Exhibition.

Two hands, plus 8 years. Result one masterpiece. The Little Theatre. Visit it. today in the Blue Pavilion and assist the crippled children.

It’s Groat! The more you drink the slimmer you get, Ask for the “Drink of the Century,” New Zealand Fruitgrower's Federation Exhibit, Industries Court.

A visit to Treasure Island, General Exhibits Court, will convince yon that the finest selection of useful Exhibition Souvenirs are on sale here.

Now we have fixed your Exhibition feet, take home a tin of mineral salts and have friendly feet. “Foot Comfort Station,” opp. inner door Cafeteria.

Our one country packet provides a cheap means of starling a stamp collection. S. Cprtisand Co.. General Exhibits Court.