OFFICIAL OPENING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21234, 14 July 1932, Page 14

OFFICIAL OPENING.

LARGE CROWD ATTENDS.

LORD BLEDISLOE'S SPEECH. ENTERPRISE COMMENDED. Under most encouraging auspices the Auckland "Winter Exhibition was officially opened by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, last evening. Even the heavy rain which was falling at the time failed to mar the gathering, and no opening ceremony in recent years has been so largely attended. His Excellency and the Lady Bledisloe were met on arrival by Mr. S. Takle, president of the Auckland Manufacturers' Association, and one of the co-presidents of the Winter Exhibition Committee. Boy Scouts formed a guard of honour, and a further largo contingent of scouts lined the route from the entrance to the stage. The National Anthem was played when the Vice-Regal party had reached the stage. The visitors were welcomed by Mr. Takle, who apologised for the absence of his co-president, Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell, president of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, who is in Wellington. Mr. Taklo paid a tribute to the exhibitors who, undeterred by trade conditions, had taken space for their displays at the show. Returning Optimism. "That attitude is quite in keeping with the spirit of optimism that is now returning," said Mr. Takle. "The success of the large conversion loan in Britain, the results of the Lausanne Conference, and the prospects for success "at the Ottawa Conference all indicate an early improvement in our fortunes." Stressing the comprehensive nature of the show, Mr. Takle said visitors would find represented the primitive industries of weaving and pottery, and they would see the most modern machinery, including a special aeroplane section. The combination of primary and secondary industries made possible for the exhibition augured well for continued co-operation between the two sections of production. "I am pleased to be present, in company with the Lady Bledisloe, to open formally this winter show, to pay a welldeserved tribute to its enterprising promoters, and to commeud the high averago standard and varioty of the exhibits and the skill and ingenuity of the exhibitors," said His Excellency. "Many of these show evidence of a degree of resourcefulness and self-help which is especially stimulating during this period of economic trial.

"Nothing gratifies mo more than to note the happy association within these walls of town and country, and the significant, timely and salutary implication which it conveys that their interests are closely interwoven and aro mutually interdependent," continued His Excellency. "The large number of homo industry and school exhibits is a striking evidence of the resourcefulness and competence of tho Now Zealand housewife, and the value and dexterity of the manual work so prudently and efficiently carried on in every type and grade of educational institution in this country. Studying Methods of Rivals. "One unusual and usefully informative exhibit'is that of samples of butter from those foreign countries which compete with New Zealand in this commodity on the British market. The Danish samples, if they are typical and in good condition, should prove particularly instructive to New Zealand dairy farmers and factory managers, in view of tho substantially higher price which Danish butter normally commands at Home in competition with that of this Dominion. Nothing is more conducive to a fuller exchange of commodities between Great Britain and the oversea Dominions than a close study of each other's exact_ requirements, and also of each Empire country's natural resources with a view to their more profitable utilisation. "The discovery, for instance, that there is no timber moro suitable for tho bodies of motor vehicles than New Zealand silver beech, that certain varieties of New Zealand flax are preferable to any other material for wool packs, and that chemical purification of the lowest grade kauri gum will render it available for superior lacquers, 68ems likely to give a valuable impetus to the remunerative employment of certain natural products of this Dominion which are to-day almost a drug upon the market. The same may bo said of tho homo manufacture, under tho influence of the women's institutes, of light summer hats out of lace-bark fibre.'' Applause greeted His Excellency as he declared the exhibition open,- and wished it the full success which, he felt, tho enterprise of its organisers so richly deserved. Tho Vice-Regal party was subsequently conducted by Mr. Takle on a tour of inspection of tho show.

SCHOOL COMPETITIONS. GLASSES FOR DRAWING. In some classes of the school section, entries proved disappointing, and a number of entrants did not forward exhibits. Tho standard displayed, however, was good, and disclosed signs of much labour and effort in tho finished article. Awards were:—

Primary Schools.— Drawing—Standard IV.. a wicker basket: N. Thorn, 1; A. Husband, 2; T. Dainty, 3. Standard V., a simple scene: R. Saunderson, 1; E. Mason. 2; J. Somorville, 3.' Standard VI.. a gateway or doorway: B. Simpson, 1; S. Hatty, 2; J. Kenncrley, 3. Crayon drawing—Standard I • P Bennett, 1; M, Kershaw, 2. Standard II.: N. Featherstono, 1; R. Hearley, 2; A. Thomas, 3. Standard III.: R. Mignot, 1: M. Rowe, 2; J. Speck, 3. Standard IV.: M. Radford, 1; D. Lumley. 2; N. Miller. 8. Standard V.: J. Sommprville 1; G. Jones, 2: Z. Corkin, 3. Standard VI.: M. Danby, 1- R Draper, 2; S. Batty, 3. Brush drawing—Standard IV.: P. Fogarty, 1; E. McLaren. 2; J. Nixon, 3. Standard V.: Ij. Laidlaw, 3: W. Bancroft. 2; O. Taylor, 3. Standard VI.: R. A. Wyatt-, 1; J. Hill, B. Munro, 3. Map drawing—Standard IV.: D. Marr. 1; E. Johnston, 2; T. Hammond, 3* Standard V.: no firsts 13. Clarke, 2; M. Birch, 3. Standard VI.: N. Barker, 1: M. Danby. 2; D. Ball, 3. School Classes.— Averago attendance, under Rl: Onewhcro, 1; Mauku School, 2: Whitford No. 2, 3. Average attendance, 81 to 280: St. Mark's Church School, Wellington, 1. Average exceeding 280: Bayfield School, J; Newmarket Public School, 2. Post primary school displays: Best exhibit of work, Auckland Grammar School, 1.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME.

SEVERAL NEW ATTRACTIONS. The exhibition will open again at 10 o'clock this morning. At 11 a.m. and 230 p.m. a free talking-picturo programme will bo screened in tho show hall, while at 3 p.m. a concert will bo given by tho pupils of tho Otahuhu Free Kindergarten. In tho evening a series of selections will be played by tho Mount Eden Boys' Band, and an entertainment will be provided by tho pupils of Miss A. Beresford. A free picture programme -will also be screened, while a further attraction will be the commencement of the Model Aeroplane Association's flying competition; in the aviation section.