A VARIED PROGRAMME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19760, 10 April 1926, Page 12

A VARIED PROGRAMME.

IN PAVILIONS AND COURTS. SCHOOL CHILDREN SAY FAREWELL. WELLINGTON COURT CONCERT. The army of school children that has been Visiting Logan Park during the week said farewell to the Exhibition and its myriad attractions yesterday, when final tours through the various courts and pavilions Vere carried out. Parites of happy youngsters were to be met everywhere in the morning, and at the close of the afternoon the usual presentations were made the obliging restaurant staff, an I the last meal was taken. Owing to the concert given on Monday afternoon there was no programme played by the band of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders yesterday, but the Exhibition Orchestra played in the New Zealand Secondary Industries Pavilion, and the Amusements Park catered for the wants of all who were not exploring the wonders of the courts and bays. In the evening came happy thousands to enjoy the Exhibition attractions under the glowing canopy of electricity that 'transforms park and pavilions into a fairyland of colour and movement. The band played in the Festival Hall, where a big and enthusiastic audience gathered, while the Amusements Park was a busy area of life and merriment. The Southland Court was visited by the hundreds of departing school children from that province. There they were welcomed by the Acting Commissioner. Mr G. F. T. Geering. In a short address Mr Geering impressed on his juvenile audience the great opportunities that had been placed before them In their visit to the Exhibition. “Exhibitions are milestones in the progress of a nation or a country,’’ he said, “and the development of New Zealand can be followed by the extent of the vast display that you have examined. It is very desirable that all of you should take careful note of everything you have seen, as in later years at other exhibitions you may compare the further growth and development of this wonderful country.” Cheering and school songs brought the pleasant little function to a fitting close. Nearby in the same pavilion an enjoyable Concert was given in the "Wellington Court before a large and appreciative audience. Of late the Commissioner, Captain M. B. Macdonald, has endeavoured to organise weekly concerts, and his efforts have been attended with complete success. The practice is a praiseworthy one, and the attendance last evening proved that visitors appreciate the added Exhibition novelty. Special preparations were made for the entertainment last evening, and the Exhibition Radio Station was connected to the court by a microphone which was installed on Thursday. The whole of the concert programme was broadcasted.

LESSON IN FARMING.

.THE AGRICULTURAL PLOTS. GREAT AND INCREASED POPULARITY. If on© wishes to find a farmer friend in Lotran Park, the first and most likely place to try is the outdoor experimental area of the Government Agricultural Department. Since the opening of the Exhibition the plots have steadily increased in popularity, their great value to the farming community being Quickly realised. The plots are unique as far as Exhibitions are concerned —in tact nothing quite on the same lines has ever been placed before the public before. Although there are but a few more Exhibition weeks left, the plots will remain at Logan Park until after the Winter Show and will be kept in first-class order and condition until that time. This decision of the department will bo welcomed by the thousands of farmers who nave deplored the fact that such wonderful educational advantages were to be lost . l he r m^. o . n the land with ‘he close oi the Exhibition. Yesterday Mr R, B. Tennant, of the Agriculture Department, gave his opinion as to the great success of the enterprise. HUNDREDS EVERY DAY. “Now the season is advancing the farmers have more time on their hands, and hunoreds are visiting the plots every day ” he said. We are proud of the fact that the area is the only place in the Exhibition where people, young and old, are to be found taking notes, week in and week out, and from the youngest visiting schoolboy or girl to the oldest and most experienced farmer, all are taking a very keen and intelligent interest in the plots and the Jessons they tach.” “We have received many letters from visitors, who express their regret at having such limited time in which to examine all that the area contains, and from a publicity ooint of view the benefit to the department has been great. The offices of the department have been inundated with requests for information and applications for visits from our officers—farmers hove been brought to realise that we are out to help them in every possible way.” A VALUABLE SERVICE. “There are always two men on duty at wia plots, and their services are at the disposal of every interested visitor. Free guides and literature is also distributed. Although the visiting farmer mav be guided round the plots if he so desires, the whole object of the plots and the wav they have been constructed is to be self explanatory. The information boards are very comprehensive, and any person with ordinary common sense can move round tho area and appreciate every point and lesson that is given.” Mr Tennant added that the plots wore at present in excellent condition and there was to be no letting up of the work in the area just because the Exhibition is drawing to a close. “There is a great deal of work entailed in keeping the area in good condition.” he said. “Crops have been harvested and sowing is going ahead in correct rotation. The plots will continue in their present condition right until the time of the Winter Show, and until then all farmers will be abign. full opportunity to examine

THE HIGHLANDERS’ BAND.

YESTERDAY’S PROGRAMME. Last evening the band concert in the Festival Hall was the principal Exhibition attraction, and a full house was recorded. A long and enjoyable programme was played by the Highlander musicians, and encores Were demanded by their delighted hearers. Under the baton of Lance-corporal U. J. Spaughton, the band was in excellent form, and great credit is duo to the young cornet player for his efficient leadership of the famous combination during the absence of the bandmaster, Mr n* J Ricketts.

..p ll( L progralnme °P ened with the march L B, ’ alter which the “Hungarian Dances, Nos. 5 and 6,” were placed instetau of the programme item. Tile ever popular “Humoresque” toliowed and alter selections by the Pipers, and Highland dancing by members o£ tile bund,'"Love’s Dream, an attractive waltz, was given by the band. A Scottish suite by the combined pipes and band was also a popular number on the programme.

THE GOVERNMENT KINEMA

Latejy many executive officers throughout the Exhibition have been loud in tlieir praise of the orderly crowds that thronged the pavilions and grounds ol Logan La-k during the busy Easter sessions. The latest tribute comes trum .Mr G Horton who is m charge of the kinema id the -New Zealand Go\eminent pavilion, , ma “y thousands have entered the theatre this week, there has been no trouble of any kina,” ho stated yesterday. “Iha visitors weie careful and considerate while the staff had no difficulty in handling the large audiences at every session.” Undoubtedly the kinema is one of the busiest spots in the Exhibition, and every day the attendance is large from morning till night. Yesterday, every session was ciowdeu, and a long and varied programme delighted all who were present. To-day another excellent programme has been selected, and it is certain that the attendances will be in keeping with the usual busy Saturday at Logan Dark. The lirst picture is “Victoria,” an Australian film dealing with the beauty spots in the State. Another Australian film describing the fruit-growing industry will be of parte cular interest to all visitors, especially those who have studied the exhibits in the Commonwealth Court. “Mount Egmont,” a Now Zealand scenic film, and “Rotorua” will complete the programme. Advice has been received from th e head office of the Publicity Department at Wellington that a new film of the North Island, 16,000 feet in length, has been completed and developed. It has proved a success in every way, and although, unfortunately, it. wifi . bot bo ready before the close of the Exhibition, it will be sent overseas, where valuable film publicity work is being carried out on behalf of New Ztaland. THE EXHIBITION CABARET The entertainments .of Logan Park have rapidly come to be part of Dunedin’s social life, and to say they will be missed after May 1, when the Exhibition closes, is quite superfluous. Every evening for nearly six mouths, thousands have streamed towards the Joylandofthe Exhibition to enjoy their leisure hours, while the Exhibition Cabaret has come to be regarded as one of Dunedin’s foremost places of recreation. The success of the cabaret has been no less remarkable than the success of the Exhibition as a whole. From November 17 the excellent service, perfect hall, dance floor, and clever band have attracted the dance loving public in record numbers, making every evening one to be remembered by all who were present. With the coming of the Easter holidays, the cabaret took a new lease of life, and last evening proved that the boom continues. Under the direction of Manuel Hyman, the Dand now offers amongst the new syncopated dance numbers “ He Told Her This, She Told Him That,” and “ The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise.” To-night will be another successful session, and the crowds will be large, if the reservations are any indication of popularity.

GENERAL NOTES.

HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE “ New Zealand Invites You ” is the title of a new and attractive booklet that is being issued by the officers of the Railway and Tourist Bureau in the New Zealand Government Pavilion. For those visitors who have interested friends overseas it is worthy of attention, for it tells in picture and story of the wonderful attractions of the country from the point of view of the tourist and sportsman. Beautiful photographs of the cities and principal beauty spot from Auckland to the Bluff are included, while there is interesting and important tabloid information for visitors. Considerable interest has been taken in the Otago Court fruit display, despite the fact that the limited space prevents the big stand from being shown to any advantage. On Thursday the stand was remodelled and made even more attractive by the addition of an exhibit of bottled fruits and pickles contributed by Miss A. MTntyre, of Mornington. The exhibit adds variety to the display, and has already been admired by all who have examined it. Some very fine figured panels of Auckland woods were added to the provincial display yesterday. When the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. R. F. Bollard, paid his recent visit to the Exhibition lie noticed the absence of figured examples in the timber .sections of the Auckland Court. He very kindly offered to lend a few good samples from his private collection, and when these arrived yesterday the display was greatly enhanced. The panels are of puriri, kauri, and totara, and are beautiful specimens of properly treated graining. Novelty hunters are always to be found in the Fiji Court examining the many exhibits that are for sale. Yesterday new specimens of native articles were placed on view, when they attracted a great deal of interest. They are specimens of the saqua, or native water-bottle, made in the shape of a large gourd from clay and gum.' These Lave been in an obscure section of the court from the tiiarte the Exhibition opened, but will be sold as curios before the close. Three monster Auckland apples made their appearance in the Auckland Court yesterday. Their size is really remarkable, and each is over lib in weight. They .are of the Wolfe’s River variety, ripened

to perfection, and carrying beautiful colour. The proud grower is Mrs J. M. Hall, of Milford, Takapuna, who has presented them for exhibition in the court as an example of what the Queen City can do in the way of apple production. What attracts people most? It is indeed difficult to say, and the old axiom, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison,” holds good in the majority of cases. Yesterday two newcomers entered the British pavilion. They examined the exhibits with interest, but with sonic haste, pausing only a few moments to admire the wonderful map of the world. —■ Then they passed on, and entered the industrial section. Stall after stall was given casual inspection until a small bay was reached. On the wall a card advertised a certain make of hand soap, and underneath a mediocre pen-and-ink cartoon described the adventures of a motorist whose hands were cleansed by the magical properties of the soap after a long battle with a refractory engine. • This, in the opinion of the newcomers, was really great. They laughed and laughed, and spent quite 10 minutes on the spot enjoying t!ie “exhibit” thoroughly. Such are the vagaries of sightseers at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition.