EMPIRE'S GREAT SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18690, 22 April 1924, Page 7

EMPIRE'S GREAT SHOW.

WEMBLEY DESCKIBED. MANY WONDERFUL FEATURES. DOMINIONS TO THE FORE NEW ZEALAND FEATURES. FINE MAORI CARVINGS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright A. and N.Z. LONDON. April 20 The British Empire Exhibition at Wemhlev is almost bewildering in its

magnitude, and the variety of its contents. The mere enumeration of the main features in the separate pavilions would occupy many columns, but a few are necessary to indicate the size of the undertaking. In the first place, the exhibition buildings and grounds cover 216 acres. Its main avenues and roacTs stretch for 15 miles, hence the necessity for a non-stop railway around the exhibition, working on the same principle as the continuous escalators. There is also provision for rub-ber-tyred electric trolleys to take visitors around. The playground is a sort of large scale Luna Park (Coney Island), with its scenic railway, switchbacks, and other thrills. i These are confined to a separate 50-acre

paddock. A most striking view presents itself from the ramparts of the Stadium walls, the exterior of which at present contains only a huge ugly advertisement, suggesting that the Empire was built on somebody's ale or somebody else's cocoa, but these? disfigurements of the -wonderful Stadium structure have aroused so much press criticism that they are likely to be removed. Beautiful Burma Pavilion.

Within the grounds one of the loveliest prospects is along a narrow tree-lined, lake, traversed by quaint little bridges, reminiscent of the familiar willow pattern china. A most beautiful vista is provided from the bridges by the white Indian pavilion of magnificent 17th century Mogul architecture. The court encloses fountains embodying features of the Taj Mahal at Agra and the Jama Masjid at Delhi. But externally the jewel of the whole exhibition is the Burma pavilion, covered like a pagoda, with tier upon tier of famous Burmese carved teak, with steeples topped by gilded umbrellas and with temple bells tinkling in the lightest breeze. Opposite this is the huge, ugly, but true-to-life reproduction of a terra cotta mud walled city of West Africa. Of the great Dominions' pavilions, that of Australia is the largest. Canada has as large a section, but has three buildings on it. Within the main entrance of the Australian buildings a huge arched timber trophy strikes the eye. It is built around a large hole in the floor, in which a great relief map of Australia has been fixed. An arrangement of coloured electric lights throws upon the map the most striking facts about Australia. The wings of the

building are devoted to mining, manufac- | tures, agriculture and primary industries. The main method adopted to depict life in Australia is a series of panoramas, each 40ft. wide, with foregrounds made up of real fruit trees, wheat, etc., backed by scenic painted backgrounds. In a large glass windowed refrigerator visitors will see samples of fresh meats, butter, cheese, fresh fruits, and other products. Remarkable New Zealand Building. New Zealand has also done magnificently. Her pavilion externally is particularly "handsome, owing to the large sculptured panels. A picturesque feature is a large Maori wharepuni (meeting house), full of wonderful carving, which is closely associated with Maori history and traditions. New Zealand's primary and secondary industries are splendidly represented within the main hall.

The plaster imitation of Maori wood carving around all the internal doors is remarkably realistic. A Maori scheme of decoration is also effectively used in the restaurant. Unfortunately "New Zealand's exhibits cannot be completed by the opening day. Sir James Allen, High Commissioner, states that this is entirely the fault of the Exhibition Board in not supplying power in the time promised. I An internal feature of the Canadian pavilion which arouses the greatest interest is a scheme of coloured mural decorations and other designs, all worked in coloured seeds. South Africa is making a feature of ostrich farming, diamond mining, and fruit growing.