THE EXHIBITION

Evening Star, Issue 23421, 11 November 1939, Page 9

THE EXHIBITION

JW OUTSTANDING FEATURE THE WOMEN S SECTION HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE EXHIBITS ABBISTAHCE BY ROYALTY [From Ooe Reporter.] WELLINGTON, November 10. The women of New Zealand have every reason to be proud of that section of the exhibition devoted to their interests. It occupies a fairly large slice of the floor space of the main Tower block, and the highly attractive typo of exhibits therein earns the admiration of the visitor, male and female. Usually a “ women’s court ” in an exhibition or in a show is a collection of articles of interest to women only. There may be excellent examples of needlework, of knitting, of painting, of weaving, of cookery, and so on, but of what interest to the male of the species are these things—unless it bo in the cooking, and that will appeal to him. only at certain times and in accessible places? But in the women’s court here in Wellington one is attracted by a collection of historic and artistic articles, by representations of life in the very early days of the Dominion, by demonstrations of the pottery and other arts, and in many other fascinating ways. PIONEERS’ HOMES. Perhaps the feature most attractive to the average visitor is that which depicts two rooms, one in a North Island pioneer hut of 1840-50, and the other in a South Island habitation of a period 10 years or so later. The former is furnished as nearly as possible, in the fashion of those very. early days. Naturally, these furnishings consist of bare essentials, but everything is distinguished by the neatness and tidiness which were, we are told, characteristic of the pioneer folk who faced life in this strange land. Here we see the camp oven, the crude chairs, the oldfashioned crockeryware, the patchwork quilt, the candlestick—and the family Bible. But all these and other articles in the hut are pieces with their historical associations fully authenticated. The figure of the woman in the room, too, is dressed in the manner of the period, which, it need hardly be said, i differed considerably from the fashions of to-day. A drop scene in the background, outside the door of the hut, shows a sailing vessel lying in the bay, and this lends a very effective touch to the whole picture. In the South Island room there is evidence of a decided advance in the standard of living. Here we have a built-in brick fireplace, a solid chest of . drawers, ornaments and utility articles of fine workmanship and quality. . There is even a piano, upon the music rest of which is a book of “ tbe auld sangs.” There is an air of prosperity about this room in the home of SO years ago, an air of comfort and refinement, and it is good to know—for in this case also every article in the display is authenticated and is without doubt linked with the pioneering days—that such conditions were enjoyed by at any rate some of those very early settlers. One wondered where these articles with which the rooms are furnished came from, but one is informed that, many homes, especially in Otago and Canterbury, yielded tbeir treasures on loan for tho furnishing. The piano is one which survived a six-week’s immersion in the Rangitata river on its way to a pioneer’s home; an old despatch box was brought to New Zealand by Dean Jacobs in 1851, and an early type of sewing machine, a set of chess-men.-a harp, old-time ornaments, and many other articles of historic value were brought to light and cheerfully loaned for the occasion, (

OLD SHIPPING POSTERS. And near by are old printed announcements of the sailing of emigrant and passenger ships for Canterbury, Wellington, Otago and other New Zealand ports. Tho date is given as 1851 and thereabouts and the ships named include the Lady Nugent, the Dominion, and the Bangalore. One is announced as “ an emigrant ship for the working class.” LOANS BY ROYALTY. This exhibit in itself carries interest and conviction, but what a wealth of other material there is in this Women’s Court I There is, for instance, the Royal exhibit, comprising some very precious articles loaned by their Majesties Queen 1 Elizabeth and Queen Mary and by H.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucester. These comprise pictures and drawings,* inlaid work, a jade casket, much embroidered work, all of exquisite workmanship. These exhibits naturally draw general attention and are greatly prized. Loaned by other friends in all parts of the Dominion and also in countries overseas are innumerable articles of historic interest; things which. date back centuries and the description of which fills pages in the special catalogue issued in connection with the court. In this respect the Women’s section is a museum in itself. ART SECTION. Then the drawings and paintings and etchings! Rows and rows of these are on the walls, all the work of women, many of whom are well known, even famous, in the art world of New Zealand Add to these miniatures, modellings, statuary and photography and it will be realised that the art section is a large and representative one. Next the arts and crafts—decorative needlework, tapestries, metal work, jewelry and enamels, illuminating, bookbinding, leatherwork, woodwork, carving, pottery and china painting, weaving and spinning, designs for fabrics etc., and toys—what variety! And what proof of women’s skill and artistry. AND LITERATURE, A corner for literature has not been forgotten, and the collection. of works by New Zealand women writers is a thoroughly representative one. In connection with the court there is a lecture hall, and a long and attractive. series of lectures on subjects of particular interest to women has already been arranged. The completely successful organisation of the women’s section of the Exhibition is largely due to the efforts of the honorary organising secretary, Mrs C. P. Hainsworth, who obviously shares with her husband, the general manager of this and many other exhibitions in various parts of the world, a genius for organising on a large scale. Many other women, of course, had a hand in the work; women in Wellington and women in various other centres, and they, too, with the Mayoress of Wellington (Mrs T. C. A. Hislop) as president, must share in tho credit by arranging one of the outsanding features of the Exhibition. CANADA'S EXHIBIT MAINLY PICTORIAL The Canadian Court at this Exhibition is largely composed of dioramas representing that dominion’s agriculture. mineral wealth, forest and transport facilities, with smaller displays dealing with scenic, sporting, and educational aspects. A feature of these is a colour effect directed upon the four main dioramas, which, by slowly changing illumination, provides a “ sunrise to sunset ” cycle. There is also a large number—over 100 in all—of illuminated transparencies depicting the | national life, industries, and resources i of the country, while samples of Can- i adian timbers, both from British Col- I umbia and the eastern portion of the | dominion aro there for all to see and I admire. As in tho case of other fardistant countries, Canada has not been able to provide as complete an exhibit as she would have done had world con- i .ditions been more settled.

AUSTRALIAN COURT OPENED t , (Per United Press Association.] [ WELLINGTON, November 10. The Australian Government pavilion, ' expressing in the words of the Aus- ’ traiian Trade Commissioner in New r Zealand (Mr C. E. Critchley), “the wish cf all Australians that New Zealand, great country that she is already, will go on to greater things,” t was officially opened this afternoon. I The ceremony was performed by Mr j Critchley, who presided over a gatbers ing which included the Minister of In- , dustries and Commerce and president . of the exhibition (Mr (Sullivan), the Mayor of Wellington and chairman of , the Exhibition Company (Mr T. C. A. | Hislop), the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand I >ir Harry Batterbee), members of the Cabinet and of the Legislature, directors of the Exhibition Company, heads 1 of State departments, representative Australians in the Dominion, members * of the Consular Corps, and represeni tative citizens. r Situated as Australia and New Zca- ; land were, Mr Critchley said., young British countries growing up together ■ in this corner of the w'orld with > peoples of the same race, traditions, i and ideals, the same hopes and aspirations, it was natural for Australia to have a more than ordinary interest in New Zealand and a very particular interest in the Centennial. Mr Critchi lev said he would like to express adi miration of the achievement of those , who had created the exhibition. Mr Sullivan said all that Mr Critchley had said of the relationship be- . tween the two peoples was fundamen- ; tally true beyond all possibility of argument or controversy, and that sentiment was enshrined forever in the imperishable name of Anzac. “ Apparently the history of 25 years ago, to the sorrow of every right-thinking person in the world, looks like being repeated in some form or degree,” Mr Sullivan said, “ but if it is to be so, wo will derive some. satisfaction from the further association of representatives of your country and ours on whatever fields it may be necessary for t ■ °*n to associate.” Referring to the fact that at least half the members of the Cabinet were Australians the Minister added that Australians throughout the years had played a large part in the history of New Zealand. New Zealanders and Australians lived together in peace I amity, and understanding, and just as it had been in the past so he was certain it would be in the centuries to come. Mr Hislop said that when the authorities first conceived the idea of the exhibition they were confident that the great Australian Commonwealth would be associated with the Dominion in its great event. New Zealand for a time had been governed from New 'South Wales, but though the political tie had been broken, the ties of blood and friendship remained and had grown stronger. Mr 'Hislop declared ”t the Australian pavilion was unsurpassed in the exhibition as a representation of national life and the national ideal. This evidence of Australian association with the exhibition, together with that of the United Kingdom. Canada, and Fiii. was evidence of the goodwill with which other parts nf the British Commonwealth regarded this important occasion in the history of New Zealand. AUCKLAND'S CONGRATULATIONS WELLINGTON, November 10. The Mayor of Auckland (Sir Ernest Davis), on behalf of citizens of that centre, has extended to the city, of Wellington heartiest. congratulations on the exhibition, which, he said, appealed to him as a remarkably fine centennial attraction for the people of New Zealand. He had been greatly impressed, ho said, with the lay-out and the design of tho grounds and pavilions, and the variety and. the conspicuously high standard of the ex- ■ hihits. I Sir Ernest said he did not think i that the interruption caused hy the i war of oversea tourist traffic would I noticeably affect the attendances. At ' most, a possible influx of un to 15.000 could have been anticipated, and this would to a large extent ronipon- . sated by the presence in Wellington lof New Zealanders who normally spent their vacations out of the conn-

try. He felt sure that thousands of Aucklanders would take the opportunity of seeing the exhibition. They would find a visit worth while. AUSTRALIAN PAVILION At the official opening of the Australian pavilion at the Centennial Exhibition this afternoon, the Trade Commissioner (Mr C. E. Critchley) read a message from the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr R. G. Mcnzies) saying that the pavilion was a symbol of goodwill and friendliness, and a gesture of Australia’s desire for close and happy co-operation in all matters of mutual interest. Congratulations were extended on the enterprise of the organisers of the exhibition and their courage in proceeding despite the unsettled condition of the world.