CARNIVAL REIGNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22466, 9 July 1936, Page 19

CARNIVAL REIGNS

APPEAL OF THE SHOW COMPETITIVE SECTIONS VARIED TRADE DISPLAYS AMUSEMENTS IN ABUNDANCE The transformation of the sheds at the Central Wharf for the Winter Exhibition this year is as complete as ever, and the normal appearance of the four buildings is a striking contrast to the gay scene now presented. The short time at the disposal of exhibitors to prepare their stalls and the bad weather early in the week resulted in a proportion not being completed yesterday morning, but practically all the preparatory work was finished in time for the official opening last night, and the appearance of the exhibition was as colourful and busy as ever. Three of the sheds are taken up with a diverse display of trade exhibits, more numerous and varied than for some years, and including some impressive sections. Practically the whole of the fourth shed is occupied by competitive sections, varying from dairying and agricultural classes to. needlework and art, while a large portion is devoted to the Auckland Kennel Club's mid-year show. The method of display has been greatly improved this year and the high standard of the entries is thus revealed to best advantage. The needlework classes, for instance, are this year displayed in nearly 200 ft. of large glass showcases. A collection of the fine posters issued by the British Empire Marketing Board adds greatly to the attractive appearance of this shed. •' Side Show Alley " [ (Jarnival reigns supreme in the wide 1 space between the two back sheds. ' Roundabouts, ferris wheels, flying ' boats, whirl ceaselessly. Showmen pro- j claim that "bigger, brighter and bet- , ter" prizes are to be won at the J "hoopla" stalls, shooting galleries, and ( )ther old and new tests of skill. At | adjoining stalls rival claims are put ( forward as to the world's most amazing spectacles, while above all the Familiar mu&ic of the roundabout competes with the barking of dogs in the adjoining shed to complete the air of cheerful confusion which marks a successful show. Beginning slowly during the morning and afternoon, a steady stream of visitors set in toward evening, and after :lark there was a continuous flow of patrons through the entrances, and the sheds were thronged. Many country visitors were present, and there were numerous family parties. Visits from school children had not commenced yesterday, but school parties under the diarge of teachers will swell the crowds luring the daytime, to-day and on the subsequent days. Primary Produce The exhibits in the shed devoted to competitive classes are of the greatest | ;ducativo value and of interest to town j ind country dweller alike. Samples of ] the Dominion's finest butter and cheese, j ncluding the prize-winning entries in , ( ;he New Zealand and provincial chainpionships, make up an important section, representative as they are of an ! industry vital to the Dominion's prosperity. ' Other samples of the province's 1 primary produce are displayed in the 1 bacon class, described -by the judge as 1 ine of the finest ho had seen, and the 1 ield roots and vegetables, honey, and 8 Fruit sections. Entries in some of the vegetable sections were disappointing, f jut they contain some line exhibits f ivhich will be a revelation to the city 1 lwcller who aspires to excellence with i lis kitchen garden. A feature is thu 1 jxhibit of produce from the Tauranga c district. c

Some remarkable examples of ingenuity and skill are shown in the four women's institute courts, which include samples of waste material thriftily used to create useful articles, and displays of arts and crafts, needlewbrk, toys, cakes and preserves. Nearly all ! the competitions relating to home industries, indeed, are of high standard, and some beautiful pieces of needlework are on display. These sections are by no means confined to women entrants, as there are several exhibits in the needlework and woolwork classes entered by the sterner sex, and they met, in some instances, with success. Work o! the Schools The handicraft skill of the youth of Auckland is demonstrated in the school sections, while a special display is made of the products of primary manual schools. An excellent collection of woodwork, metalwork, machine-shop products, drawing and painting, commercial work, needlework and cookery is contained in the Otahuhu Technical High School's entry, while the Auckland Grammar School shows examples of freehand and machine drawing and other art work of a high order. The open woodwork, metalwork and fretwork classes also give evidence of considerable technical skill. Nearly the whole of one wall of the shed is given up to exhibitions of commercial art, drawing and painting, modelling, interior decoration and design, and photography, and it forms a decidedly attractive feature. The Auckland Kennel Club's show was anothei centre of interest yesterday, and this portion of the shed was thronged throughout the day. This show will conclude to-day, and will bo replaced to-morrow by the Auckland Poultry Club's show. Judging of tho various entries proceeded apace 3 r csterday, and by evening decisions had been announced in the majority of the sections now on exhibition. Other competitions have yet to be judged, however, during the remaining days of the show. Many Trades Represented Demonstrations of work by members of tho Blind Institute attracted considerable attention yesterday, as did displays ol Maori weaving and handicrafts. In another stall, the work of disabled soldiers is shown, while various charitable and public institutions also have stalls. The manifold produce of Australia is attractively displayed in a large and comprehensive exhibit arranged through the Australian Trade Commissioner by the Commonwealth Government, and the stall is a most interesting one. Some familiar trade displays are missing this year—the milling industry, for instance, which had been brought under Government control, is not represented —but the place of those who are not exhibiting has been taken by others, and there is as much variety as ever. Motor companies are well represented, and models of the latest cars and trucks were thoroughly examined by visitors throughout the day. Numerous radios and refrigerators also are being shown, and they came in for their full share of attention. One of tho largest displays shows in comprehensive fashion the uses to which gas can bo put. To attempt to classify the industries represented is impossible. There aro stalls advertising furniture, tobacco, clothing, leather goods, motor caravans, crafts, patent processes, educational establishments, footwear, bricks and concrete, soap, wines, brooms, garden ornaments, fertilisers, amenities of everyday life, labour-saving devices and household requirements, novelties, foods, drinks, essentials in the home, toilet articles, office needs, remedies for all the ills to which the llesh is heir, and a large variety of local enterprises and manufactures. Photographers, booksellers, manufacturers or sellers of ico cream, sewing machines, milking and other machinery, paints, preserves, cycles, and lubricants are represented. As a rest from walking about the show, free picture programmes aro screened at intervals. The Mount Eden Hoys' Band was in attendance last night, and varied stage programmes have been arranged for the other nights of the exhibition. The show will conclude on July 18.