THE NEW ZEALAND PAVILION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19196, 12 June 1924, Page 12

THE NEW ZEALAND PAVILION.

DEVELOPMENT OF NATIVE GARDEN., ART IN FIGURED RIMU. iFaov Ona own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 1. Although all the courts at the Empire Exhibition are open to the public, a process of unfolding is going on. It is not altogether a good policy, for some who lack imagination' will not return for a second tour of inspection. Even those who ought to know when a thing ie unfinished are deceived. For instance, on the opening day the terrace and gaiden in front of the Now Zealand pavilion were very pleasant to look at. The lawn required roiling, certainly, but there were a fair number of cabbage trees and small blueguma dotted about. That was all, but one made no complaints. Yesterday, there was a surprise awaiting visitors who had not been near the pavilion for some days. All over the lawn were fine clumps of llax bushes, and rhododendrons in flower, and the paths were edged with small cabbage trees. One is assured that there is more to come, and when the real summer sun appears there is no doubt that the New Zealand garden will be a joy to all, but a special joy to New Zealanders away from home. Since the Exhibition opened about HOOD visitors have passed through the New Zealand pavilion each day, and the restaurant has been crowded —so crowded that it is always necessary to await one’s turn in a queue. Sir James Allen is inclined to think that the Board of the Exhibition has miscalculated the number of the public who will need to be catered for. Although tnero is room for some 30,000 people in the numerous restaurants scattered over the grounds, all available apace is occupied at the rush doors. An extension of facilities will prabably be made. THE RED PINE CHAMBER. During the week-end the assembly room of the New Zealand pavilion has been set in order, and it is certainly worth going a long way to see. The panel work, which rises lift from the ground, is exquisite. There are certain squares of the figured riimi which, in the artificial light, appear to be landscapes, and some people have had to make a closer inspection before they were convinced they were not paintings. The red pine furniture, consisting of three tables, six easy chairs, and about 25 ordinary chaiis, have now been set out in order, and pedestals of the same timber are ranged round the whole room. It is the intention of the Commissioner to open this room to the public at certain limes. A mat will be laid over the carpet from one door to the other, and visitors will be able to file through. From the point of view of a timber exhibit this chamber will certainly bo one of the most attractive 'in the whole Kxhibitin, and those interested in the industry will gain greater enlightenment regarding the quality and beauty of our native woods.. Considerable progress has been made in setting out the rest of the exhibits, but tile plasterers have not yet finished in the timber alcove, nor has the work connected with the wool exhibit been completed. The Maori house (Mata-Atua) is not yet open to the public, but thousands of people have shown extraordinary interest in tho carvings of the porch. When the house is opened it will be complete in every detail, and it is certain to be a great centre of attraction. .. ..