Pleased With Northland Court at Exhibition

Northern Advocate, 11 November 1939, Page 8

Pleased With Northland Court at Exhibition

First news of the Northland Court since the opening of the Centennial Exhibition comes from Messrs E. L. Whimp and J. A. Finlayson, who returned to Whangarei yesterday. Engaged in Harbour Board business, when in Wellington they took the opportunity of being present at the opening of the Exhibition. Time available was too short to make a thorough inspection, but they saw sufficient of the Exhibition to realise that it is well worthwhile. “It compares very favourably, even in size, with Wembley,” said Mr Finlayson, who attended the Empire Exhibition in 1924. Pride of Place. Northland Court is given pride of place at the main entrance to the Exhibition. It. is here that the tour of New Zealand in miniature begins. Already the visitors’ book is filling up rapidly. Both Messrs Whimp and Finlayson, who have identified themselves closely with Centennial activities in the province, express themselves well pleased with the general layout of the Northland Court.

The relief map, which is one of the features, they regard as the best thing- of its kind on display.

Districts and roads were set out very clearly and the attractions of the province portrayed in an arresting and interesting manner. Lack of Detail. However, both the Whangarei visitors expressed disappointment with the lack of detail shown on the map. There was little to indicate the important contribution made by Northland to the national wealth and the extraordinary development made here in recent years. They suggested to Mr K. Hayr that the position and output of the various dairy companies should bo shown on the map, and that other statistical information should be given. As an illustration of what could be achieved in this direction, Mr Finlayson mentioned the exhibit of the Wellington Harbour Board, which contained figures of all principal trading. Waterfall Feature. A waterfall was another feature which was attracting considerable interest in the Northland Court. No name was given, and the suggestion had been made that it should be marked as typical of the beautiful falls which abound in the province. The pylon near the main door to the Exhibition displayed many beautiful Northland scenes and, in the comfortable reception room in the basement, further photographs were depicted. A number of the stalls and courts were not completed as yet and there is plenty of space for further exhibits, Mr Whimp commented. i Impressive Architecture, I

The architecture of the building was most impressive and the New Zealand court as a whole did credit to the development of the Dominion in the last 100 years, both visitors agreed. Arts and crafts typical of the country were best portrayed in the women’s court.

Of the oversea courts the most impressive. according to Mr Finlayson, is that of Australia, upon which £37,000 has been expended. Growth of shipping and aviation from earliest times made a fascinating study in the English court, which, otherwise, was not very typical.

Resigns. —The Central Provinces Ministry has resigned, says a Bombay cable.