FUTURE SHOWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 23

FUTURE SHOWS

ONE COMPOSITE EVENT MODERN TENDENCY ABROAD FOLLOWING SYDNEY'S LEAD ADVANTAGES OF EPSOM Composite shows of the future, combining both the fixtures held annually in Auckland and resembling closely the Sydney Royal Show, may be envisaged as thb logical outcome of the transfer from the wharf sheds to the Epsom Showgrounds of the Auckland Winter Exhibition. For the first time in 18 years, the winter exhibition opened at Epsom yesterday, and although there are as yet no plans for combining the summer and winter fixtures, the trend of development overseas is in the direction of one big annual event, and this tendency has not escaped notice. The Epsom Showgrounds are -the future home of all Auckland's shows. The wharf sheds have in the past offered good facilities for the annual winter exhibition, conveniently close to the heart of the <»ty, but in most other centres organisers of shows nave found it necessary to make a. per manent home for themselves a little further from the business area, and this has now been done in Auckland. Competitive Enterprise A distinct movement toward a composite show, with indoor and outdoor activities and attractions by day and bv night, and catering for all forms o£ competitive enterprise, has in recent years become apparent in most countries where shows are held. Iho holding of both summer and winter (lisplays at Epsom is tho first indication of this tendency developing in Auckland. - i Gradual development over a period of years, with a carefully-planned building programme to provide the additional necessary facilities, would in due course make possible the holding of one big show in Auckland each vear, instead of two as at present, llie Sydney Roynl Show has proved such an unqualified success that the introduction of a similar fixture to Auckland seems the natural outcome. Interest of Publlo

Already the summer and winter shows in Auckland are prominent among the events of the year, for both city dwellers and those from country districts. A big composite event, however, enthusiastically supported, by the public and by exhibitors as is the case in Svdnev, and on a scale hitherto unknown in Auckland, would be even more attractive. It would draw wore exhibitors and more well-merited public interest than two annual shows can hope to do, iby bringing increasing numbers of countrv residents into the city, would be of benefit to shops and hotels. , „ , , , Meanwhile, only the first step lias been taken. Cordial co-operation such as exists at the moment between the joint organisers may in time give Auckland an annual show ranking with that of Sydney, which is acknowledged bv experts the world over as one oi the finest held anywhere.

PARKING IN GROUNDS PROVISION FOR MOTORISTS IMPROVEMENTS TO FOOTPATHS Ample provision has been made at the Winter Exhibition at Epsom for the parking of visitors' motor-cars. A generous area has been set aside for this purpose, and motorists should welcome the fact -that it is no longer necessary, when the Winter Exhibition, to park at a distance. Inside the grounds, the organisers have also catered carefully for pedestrians. Tho former footpath from the entrance-gate, a grass walk until recently, has been" covered with scoria, and other paths have been resurfaced, making them all-weather roads, with a base of hand-packed rock 12in. deep. There is also a wide strip of asphalt at either end of the main display pavilion. WELCOME INNOVATIONS BUILDINGS .TRANSFORMED DISPLAY IN STOCK PAVILIONS Innovations welcomo to exhibitor and visitor alike have been introduced at the Winter Exhibition. The joint organisers, tho Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Auckland Manufacturers' Association, in planning tho first Winter Exhibition at the Epsom Showgrounds, have been at pains to- effect important improvements to both buildings and grounds, with a view to making the show an eyqn moro attractive event than it was in the former venue. Ingenuity is apparent in the transformation of the stock pavilions into an exhibition hall chiefly for manufacturers. It was foreseen as long ago as 1933 that the time was approaching when such a dual-purpose building might be required, and due preparations were made in advance. Stalls have been shortened, and the floor has been build up, with due regard to proper drainage, and then asphalted. The result is a surface not too smooth for stock when the building is being used for such exhibitions, and at the same time ideally suited for visitors examining winter displays. Exhibitors at the present show have found that tho stalls, when covered in a variety of ways, form a suitable background for their displays. In some instances, the stalls have been covered with sheets of suitable material, curved and attractively painted, and transformed into alcoves that would not be out of place in a modern showroom. Treated in a variety of pleasing styles, the stalls have in other exhibitors' hands become shelves, foundations for drapes of cloth or paper, or stands for exhibits. The contrast between individual stands is of particular interest when it is remembered that exhibitors had originally the same foundations on which to build. Verandahs have been erected above the runways between the sections of the former stock pavilions, enabling visitors to keep dry even on as wet a day as yesterday. Adequate drainage takes care of the surface water, which is carried away from the buildings.

MODEL AEROPLANES The awards in the model aeroplane section were: — Junior Division.—Scale modol landplano and "Silver King" Cup: It. O. Hart, 1; R. Galloway, 0; H. O. G. Pincl. 3. Scale model seaplane: R. R. Fisher, 1; N. G. Mabce, 2s .T. Jvecnan, 3. Solid scale modol: M. It. McLean, 1; A. T. Hanson, 2: M. Adams, 3. Open Division.—Sralo model landplano nnd "Modelair" Cup: D. Aitken, 1; J. Poynton, 2. Scale model seaplane: W. Perry. Solid scalo model: M. R. McLean. Best flying model (outdoor): J. H. Booth, 1; H. B. Rushton, 2; W. Gentles, 3. Best petrol-driven models A. J. Sykes;