AT THE EXHIBITION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 28 August 1939, Page 5

AT THE EXHIBITION

OVER TEN ACRES OF FUN AND FROLIC

THE MAIN FEATURES Still two months before the opening date of the exhibition and the main devices—the Cyclone Roller Coaster and Jack and Jill are complete except for painting and connection to the mains. ‘‘At nj time during my experience of exhibitions throughout the world have 1 been able to say we have had even two hours’, let alone two months’ margin of time with the main features,” states Mr H. Seff, representative of the concessionary company. The following devices are the main features : 1. Highland Fling: An aerial device comprising 20 cars carrying two people ia each car suspended from a height of 50 feet, mechanically controlled to swing round and outward in a radius of 180 feet. This is the first time this ride has been used in the Antipodes. 2. Octopus : Another aerial ride, also with cars, holding three people in each car„ attached to steel arms controlled to rotate octopus-fashion. The sensation of England and the United States. 3. The New Whip: The ride which never fails to thrill, with recent improve4. The “Centennial” Speedway: This attraction of popular appeal was introduc. ed for the first time anywhere, in England last year. Visitors enjoy the thrill ot racing on a banked track in midget racing cars. 5. “Dodg’ems” : Thirty of the latest streamlined models will career on a 100 feet track at the will of the patrons. This device has never lost its appeal since its introduction to the public. 6. Speed Boats : A pool 120 feet long will be constructed to provide the thrill of speed on water in full size non-capsiz-able boats operated and controlled by the patron in the same manner as in sea-go-ing speed boats. 7. “A laff in the Dark” or Ghost Train: Young and old of both sexes will engage a car holding not more than t w o people travelling on a single line on a journey of apparently never-ending ‘ untold” experiences. 8. Loop the Loop : Passengers enjoy the pleasure and tnrill of an upside down sensation without danger. 9. “Jack and Jill” sent up 'the hill to fetch a pail of water —only they escalate the 80 feet incline comfortably seated i.i couples, and enjoy the thrill of the long. 01-j slide ever without any damage to their 10. “The Crazy House” : A combination of divers devices in one House of Fun. The visitor here encounters without warning innumerable diversions and neverending sources of mirth-making to his hearts’ content. 11. The “Cyclone“ Roller Coaster: This type of gravity railway is the modern version of the old-fashioned scenic railway. The ride journeys round two sides of I’lay laud for over a mile. Passengers are carried in trains consisting of three cars each holding six persons, there being 18 persons in a train. Eacli train starts on its breath-taking thrills after being taken to the required height by special transmission gear. A speed of 70 miles an hour is reached on the fastest section of the run. Wheels above and below the track prevent any possibility of the train leaving the rails and on starting a locking bar is operated which prevents pas sengers from falling out. Undoubtedly the thrill of thrills par excellence. Spectacular features include grey nurse sharks brought from Australia which will swim in a specially constructed tank 100 feet long. Mothers-in-law will not be admitted. The untold mysteries of the Orient will be seen by a visit to The Chinese Theatre, expounded by Chinese of both sexes. “Strange as it Seems” will have remarkable living oddities brought from various parts of the world. Other speciality side shows include “The Waxworks,’.’ “The Great Chandu,” do Lyle’s Ice Skaters, Bowler’s Mermaids and the Petrified Man. The Colossal “Barney” and the ancient “Ass.” A monkey circus is expected to be included to add to the variety. By special arrangement, the “Hell” drivers, males and females, on the Wall of Death will thrill audiences as they spiral round a straight wall in death-defying rises and descents at over 100 miles an hour.

For those who find amusement in games, £25,000 will be spent to provide Centcnial visitors with skilful sporting attractions of every description, ninety per cent, of which are mechanical and have been imported from England and America. They include Laughing Clowns, Loop Ball, Fascination Skill, The Climbing Monkeys, Fish Ponds, Bubbles, The Hunted Hare, Climbing Koalas, The New Zealand Derby and Grand National Race Games, Skee Rolls, Bowling Alleys, Box Balls, Roll Downs, Bagatelles, “Speedway” Games, “Walking Charlie,” and “Kicking Mule’’ and “Breaking up the Happy Home” where the visitor can smash up all the crockery he desires to his heart’s content. Other games are “Tip the Lady out of Bed,” Can Can, Auto Cricket, “Milko.” Motor race games Regulation Darts, the “Saunders” Cup and Epsom Races. Winchester Repeater Rifle Ranges, etc., etc. £IO,OOO of skill automatic machines will add further variety for the sporting minded. The organisers of Playland are insistent that only proprietary brands of choclates will be distributed as prizes for skill shown, and other prizes will be of the best English manufacture. As a relaxation the visitor may spend iuteresting hours examining the £30.000 collection of the World’s Crown Jewels, housed in an exact reproduction of the Bloody and Wakefield Towers of the Tower of London.

The Little Theatre, the work of a New Zealander, is an exhibit said to be superior to the famous Queen’s Doll’s House, exhibited throughout the world, and will undoubtedly be the admiration of thousands of visitors.

The Children’s Play Area will occupy over an acre, the main attraction of which will be the mile track of the Miniature Railway with its 15 feet replica of the famous “Coronation Scot” locomotive and its train carrying 100 passengers including adults. A cycle track of about a quarter of a mile, specially constructed to enable children to engage in the thrills and pleasures of riding the latest dual cycles (at present the sensation of the English seaside resorts) side by side with their elders. A mechanical toy merry go-round will also be included and this section will also contain a model play area supervised by the Education Authorities of the Dominion Government.