EASTER SHOW

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 78, 1 April 1936, Page 13

EASTER SHOW

THINGS WORTH SEEING

MANY FINE DISPLAYS

OPENING TONIGHT

Yearly there is a gradual improvement in the way in which the Easter Show is set out, and this year's arrangement is certainly an improvement upon its many predecessors. For one thing, space has been taken in time to allow of forethought in the type of display best suited to the situation, and as all the space is filled with, exhibits the impression received on entering the building is that it is a very good show indeed; and the impression is strengthened by inspection. The New Zealand industries exhibited are well worth study, covering an enormous range. There are, of course, many examples of imported manufactures, called out, no doubt, by the increasing New Zealand competition, or put in to show that there are some things which are not made in New Zealand. Here, in artistically-designed stalls, with a great deal of ingenuity, and, indeed, art, in the selection of the most telling and arresting presentation of slogans, and manufactures, may be seen soap, woollen fabrics, golf balls, various sports requisites, cooking appliances of the latest, both electric and by gas, hot water systems, travel facilities by road 'and rail, private and State, foods, breads, household machines of all kinds, and, most interesting to an increasingly large section of the population, the ever-pre-sent mo.tor-car. LARGE MOTOR DISPLAY. The motor display, which occupies nearly a fourth of the main floor of exhibits, is one which will deeply intrigue motorists. There is plenty of space between the rival exhibits, which cover most makes of motor-cars seen in New Zealand, and covetousness will assail the lover of speed no less than the average man who desires a comfortable runabout car. All the latest improvements may be seen at close quarters and demonstrated. The general impression is that the motor-car of today is something very far ahead of anything produced two years ago. Even in this big field there is represented New Zealand industry. The rock garden is laid out on a new principle. Placed where it strikes the eye, it consists of a waterfall, the streams from which and from two fountains in the corners meander under rustic bridges through an example of what could be done on a j smaller scale in any sunny corner of a Wellington garden. The rotten rock so abundant in the Wellington ground is ideal for rock plants, and there is a pride in some rock gardeners in making the tiniest gardens beautiful. Even a large-sized pot may contain a dozen varieties of the charming little plants that.thrive with little attention. Some of the examples of this miniature form of gardening, which can be carried out' even on a window sill, will amaze visitors. A ramble through the paths discloses the possibilities of native, alpine, and other plants, such as fuchsia procumbens, with its insignificant flower, but with berries that shame many a tall tree. In the ponds are seen the graceful nympheas, and interspersed amongst dwarf shrubs and flowering bulbs are those interesting spiny succulents and cacti now coming so strongly into favour, from South Africa and Mexico, such as gasteria, cereus, euphorbia, stapelia, aloe, agave, echinops, the rarer forms of echevarria, and others. Some of these are in bloom. Both in layout and contents, to which the Kock Garden Society has largely contributed, the garden is an improvement on previous ones. . ■ WORK OF THE SCHOOLS. The dining-room upstairs is brightly •decorated, and beyond it is a truly arresting display by the Education Board of the work done in the primary schools. Entering between pillars of maize 12 feet high, grown in Greytown, the visitor is confronted by an array of pumpkins, squashes, marrows, and other only slightly smaller vegetables, which shows that the work done in the school gardens is laying the foundations of many saved shillings to the future husbands of the. province, besides being a remarkable tribute to the care of both teachers and children. The forestry work is another credit to the board, and the handwork, decorative work, and the rest of the customary exhibits in this section are well up to standard. The cooking and sewing exhibits are excellent and the photographic work shows originality in many pictures. The engineering and other models will well repay inspection. There is a finish and exactness about the majority which it is doubtful could be excelled by their larger commercial counterparts. The time taken means little to the amateur. ' Novelties in speedboats are side' by side with graceful yachts. In another part of the building there is a remarkable display of model aeroplanes, and here some very fine work indeed has been done. As a pure diversion, the show offers more than for many years. Sideshows crowd each other inside and outside the building, and the evenings, with entertainments by dancing and marching girls, with a band in attendance nightly, with other attractions, promise to be lively. Entries for the horse events total 260, 80 more than last year. .'The show was opened to,the public at 2 p.m. today, and there was a steady tide of pleasure-seekers entering the gates in the early part,; of the afternoon. The official opening will be held this evening at 8 o'clock, when his Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, the acting-president of the Show Association (Mr. D. J. McGowan),. the Prime, Minister (the Hon. M. J. Savage), and. the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) will speak' ' '