THE MILLIONTH

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1940, Page 5

THE MILLIONTH

EXHIBITION VISITOR Dunedin Woman ) < ■ WINS THE RADIO SET. [Per Press Association]. 1 WELLINGTON January 17. At 2 o’clock this ’afternoon, the ’ millionth visitor to the Centennial Exhibition at Rongotai passed through the turnstile, and, amid the cheers of thousands of 'spectators, was led to the steps of the administrative building to receive the prize ' given to mark this historic occasion. The lucky person was Mrs. L. D. Cogan, 392, Main North Road, Dunedin. Warm sunshine and a cloudless sky in the early part of the morning, as well as the hope which, however, faint, stirred in the hearts of many that they might be the fortunate person, were responsible for a muci Jarger attendance than yesterday 'when the weather proved unkind. When the turnstiles opened this morning, the attendance figures registered 5,890 short of one million; but, so quickly did the people arrive, that shortly after noon it was decided to close all of the entrances but those at Kingsford Smith Street. As the million mark approached, adults, children and season-ticket-holders were brought through the three turnstiles and were formed into single file to pass through a barrier, where the General Manager, Mr. C. P. Hainsworth, stood checking them off. The noises of playland nearby were drowned by the roar of applause and cheering which went up immediately the millionth visitor wes found. Cameras clicked on all sides as Mrs. Cogan, excited and smiling, was conducted to the steps of the administrative building, wnere she was presented to the Chairman of Directors, Mr. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington. Accompanying her were two other women, Mrs. Gibson Stott, of 100 Hobson Street, Wellington, and Mrs. M. H. Baird, of 1 Cambridge Terrace, Masterton, who came through the barrier just before, and just after Mrs. Cogan. Displayed on a table in front of the administrative building was the prize, a handsome six-valve cabinet radio set, presented by the British General Electric Company. Mr. Henry Seff Playland Organiser, presented to Mrs. Cogan four books of free passes for all of the devices in Playland, and also books of passes for Mrs. Baird and Mrs. Stott.

Just to encourage everyone else till the second million mark is reached, said Mr. Hislop, before the gathering dispersed, the Exhibition Company has decided to give a number of further attendance prizes Everyone who ends a hundred thousand will get a £5 note. Mrs. Cogan signed the official visitors’ book, and later the prize winners were entertained at afternoon tea in the Directors’ room.