CENTENNIAL NIGHT LIFE

Evening Star, Issue 23094, 21 October 1938, Page 10

CENTENNIAL NIGHT LIFE

AN EXHIBITION CABARET LARGE DANCE FLOOR FOR HOHGOTAI Because no cabaret was included in the designs of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition a certain amount of criticism was raised on grounds that Wellington lacked sufficient nighty life' to provide entertainment for visitors from all parts of New Zealand and from all over the world visiting Wellington during the centennial on pleasure bent (says the ‘ Dominion ’), Steps, however, have now been taken to remedy the deficiency. Plans for a large modern cabaret to be conducted in connection with the exhibition have been approved by_ the directors, subject to certain conditions. The cabaret will be run by a syndicate of Wellington business men, and will be erected by the exhibition contractors, Messrs Fletcher and Love. Tno dance floor will measure approximately 100 ft by 120 ft, and will be one of the largest, if not the largest, of danoe floors in New Zealand. It will be specially constructed and sprung. So far no arrangements have been made for the provision of music, but it is certain that the orchestra engaged will be selected for its excellence. It is intended that the amusement park and cabaret between . them will provide Wellington with a night life to satisfy! even the most critical visitors to the centennial. The site of the cabaret will be in that comer of the grounds nearest to Endeavour street, between the amusement park and the main building. Access will be obtainable through the exhibition, but arrangements will be made so that late-night crowds can leave the dance hall by Endeavour street after the exhibition and amusement parks have closed.

It is considered likely that the exhibition proper will bo closed nightly at about half-past 9 or 10, but. the amusement park will remain open for at least another hour. The hours to b© observed by the cabaret have not yet been fixed, but will be left to the management to determine. It will probably close at about the same time as the amusement park on ordinary occasions, but will remain open until late on special nights. Entire agreement has not yet been reached by the exhibition directors with the English company which is negotiating for the rights of the amusement park, but it is expected that an arrangement will be completed: in a few days’ time. The next step will bo the selection of the precise devices to be installed and their sizes and cost, and Mr Henry Seff, director of tho concessionary company, will then fly back to England to arrange for shipment of the materials and for experts to come out to supervise the erection of the devices.

Although this work will not begin until the autumn, there will be a tremendous amount of preliminary _ work to bo carried out on the park site at Rongotai to provide for the supply of electric power, water, and other essentials.