Big “Westland” Exhibition In Christchurch Shop

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 October 1950, Page 4

Big “Westland” Exhibition In Christchurch Shop

A “Westland”, exhibition on a scale possibly unprecedented in the history of the province is being prepared for presentation in Christchurch during the peak period of the current Canterbury Centennial celebrations. A floor space considerably larger than Greymouth’s largest hall will be required to accommodate the display. The proposal was advanced beyond the preliminary stages late last week when the Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge, and the town clerk, Mr N. E. Clemens, held discussions with representatives of the Christchurch firm, D.1.C., and confirmed negotiations commenced by the West Coasters’ Association in Christchurch. The exhibition, which is expected to be opened about mid-November, will occupy most of the first floor of the big D.I.C. building, while a window display featuring the West Coast will also be arranged for the same time. Material Wanted A large amount of material will be required from the West Coast to enable the display to reach the standard set by its organisers, pointed out Mr Boustridge today. It was up to the West Coast to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity of advertising the province, its history, development, industries, beauty and future.

An approach will be made by the Greymouth Borough Council to other local bodies on the West Coast asking their co-operation in providing material for the display and requesting them to make sure that their own districts furnished enough matter satisfactorily to publicise them. While each town was being asked to provide material, it was essentially a West Coast effort and a display of the progress of the province as a whole emphasised Mr Boustridge. To inaugurate the campaign for subjects for the exhibition, Mr Boustridge is calling on citizens to lend to the council all old or new photographs of the town or district and of its old inhabitants. Historic exhibits such as gold-pans and other articles associated with gold mining days, are also being sought. Already the Greymouth Borough Council has obtained an interesting collection of old photographs of the town from Nelson, and it hopes to considerably augment this collection.

Green Background

Representatives of the Christchurch firm will set out the display. All citizens willing to help with material are asked to leave their articles at the Borough Chambers. An assurance was given by the Mayor that every care would be exercised and the articles would be returned in good order.

Truck loads of West Coast bush, ranging from ferns to trees, will travel east shortly before the display and it is planned to provide a green background for the exhibition. Preparations for the main official West Coast participation in the Canterbury celebrations—the entry of coaches in the Century of Progress procession in December—are also well advanced with both coaches now in Christchurch being put into efficient working order.

Costumes Wanted

Difficulty, however, is being experienced in obtaining sufficient period costumes for the 25 to 30 people who will be riding in the coaches during the procession. An appeal is being made to West Coast residents who may still have old-fashioned clothing in their possession, to lend it for the occasion. The condition of this clothing, stated the Mayor, was of no importance, for the articles could be renovated for the day. Unless sufficient costumes come forward the council may have to arrange with the West Coasters’ Association to make costumes out of new material —a somewhat costly item for a single day’s outing. It has been emphasised, however, that the organisers are not anxious to have the occupants of the coaches resemble “a cross between a circus clown and a hard-up dance,” and it is desired to make a genuine effort to represent the dress of the period.