NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3713, 12 May 1925, Page 52

NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

THE OTAGO COURT* "At the monthly meeting of the Bruce County Council at Milton on" Tuesday Mr W. B. Steel, organiser for the at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibi-. lion, appeared to solicit the county’s support in connection with representation in the provincial court. Mr Steel said that a recent meeting of delegates from various local bodies in Otago had arranged a scheme in connection with the Otago Court for exhibiting primary and secondary products. The system adopted by the other provinces—and it had been followed by Otago—was to take the capital value or the unimproved value and assess the grant on those figures. On taking the capital value of the Bruce County at l-32d per £1 the total wpuld be £232, and at l-16d per £1 on the unimproved value it would amount to £3OB, so the county’s grant had been fixed at £2OO. which was a very fair rating. Continuing, Mr Steel said that so keen was the in terest that had been evoked-that it might be possible that more than 50CCft of space would be required for the Otago Court. He urged the council to give its wholehearted support to the project, which would undoubtedly be carried to a successful issue. The idea was that Otago would have to compete against the other provinces and it would be found that Otago was not so much asleep as residents in northern centres believed. The matter of the Bruce County’s grant was provided for in the “Washing-up Bill,” and the money could be taken from ordinary revenue instead of from the unauthorised expenditure account. There was going to be a good deal of rivalry between the various provinces. Southland, though only a small province, was well ahead with its scheme, and intended to make a feature of the display of coal. Otago could also feature this product, but the Bruce County had a fine asset in its woollen mills and its potteries. In conclusion Mr Steel said that all the local bodies in Otago were endeavouring to arrange a Court of which they would be justly proud. He felt quite confident that tlie Bruce County would support the project, and that it would co-operate with the other local bodies in making the Exhibition a success. After answering a number of questions Mr Steel withdrew. Cr V. Wilson said that the council should support the Exhibition; it was “boosting” the w’hole of the South Island. People would come from all over the world to see it. Such an Exhibition would perhaps oocur only once in a lifetime. Cr A. Renton moved., and Cr T. Johnson seconded, “That the council make a grant of £l5O to the funds of the Otago Court.” Cr W. J. Sheat moved as an amendment, and Cr Wilson seconded: “That the full amount of £2OO be the Bruce County’s contribution.” Cr T. Scott moved as a further amendment. and Or. W. Bell seconded: “That £lO a riding be levied for this purpose.” The Chairman (Mr Jasper Clark) said that ho was convinced that the council should do something. One thing was important. and that was that the exhibitors would benefit by the facilities for the display of their produce at the Otago Court. They must look at the project from a dominion-wide aspect. After considerable discussion it was finally decided to contribute £l5O to the funds of the Otago Court at the Exhibition. THE AMUSEMENT ZONE. AN ELABORATE SCHEME. Some information on the Amusement Zone, the details of which have not hitherto been available, was given at the last meeting of the directors of the Now Zealand anc! South Seas Exhibition Company. Recognising ihe important part which this section wilt play in attracting visitors, the directors have decided to construct an amusement park which will appeal to ill tastes and which will leave little to be desired. The scenic railway, to which reference has already boon made, will not merely be a small engine and carriage moving along rails. On the contrary, it will bo it tocdcrn contrivance and the track—an elevated structure-will rise in places to 45 feet, making the groater portion of the journey a breathlessly fast gravity ride In comDinatioii with this will be an up-to-date chute, consisting of boats sliding between rails into a lake. Tho Catvpillar is another novel device which will give a thrilling ride. It consists of a light circular truck on v-hich a continuous series of 24 carriages is kept revolving about a central shaft. After one or two revolutions the operator suddenly shifts a lever and a movable cover is pulled over the seats so as to cause the whole moving contrivance to resemble a careering oaterpillar—heaving and bulging in parts ta caterpillars do. No sooner have the pussengers accustomed themselves to the tunnel when two big blowers beneath the truck are thrown into action, and it will not bo surprising if some of the passengers make a mental review of their past sins and resolve to lead better lives in future, if they Bet out ulive—which they do at the end ol perm orth, or whatever tho price may B hip is one of tho more popular n<ta. It consists of a large oblong floor round the edge of which 12 tub-like cars ftre operated. At each end of the floor is • large grooved disc on which run stout

endless cables. One of the discs H fitted with rack gear and is rotated. The 12 cars are utta' lied to the cable by steel brackets so designed so as to allow the cars to swing outwards at the corners, thereby greaiiy increasing the speed. While on the straight only a moderate speed is maintained, but as soon as the ends are reached a remarkable velocity is reached on account of the greater laduis aiu( the centrifugal force of the cars is they snap the curve in one great sweep. Next in order of importance is “ The Merry Mix-Up.” This comprises a central structural steel tower supporting 12 arms with a chair hanging from each. The machine is made to revolve and the passenger# swing in and out right merrily. i hose who venture only to look t n derive even more fun from the “Dodgem’’ cars than do tho passengers themselves. These little vehicles are like tubs and are built to seat two. The run or. a steel floor, and the ceiling, a suspended one. is of electrically charged woven wire with which the cars are connected by their trolley poles. The fun lies in the fact that they are extremely hard to steer and when a dozen or so riders are occupying the floor together the result can be imagined. Gt course they are built so that no damage can result through collisions (which oceui frequently.’’ The foregoing (including a “Fun or Joy Factory”) are looked upon as the outstanding amusement devices, and these, togethei with innumerable games, sideshows, etc., will go to make what is claimed will be “the finest amusement zone south of the line.”

MEETING IN OAMARU. OAMARU. May 8. A meeting of representatives of local homes was held in the Municipal Chambers in Oamaru on Friday afternoon to consider the question of ways and means in connection with the proposed Otago Provincial Court at the Dunedin Exhibition. Representatives of the Borough Council, the Waitaki County Council, and the Oamaru Harbour Board were present. Mr \V. B. Taverner (chairman of the Otago Provincial Court Committee) and Mr W. B. Steel (organiser of the court) were also present. The chair was occupied by the Mayor (Mr J. M‘Diarmid). Mr Taverner explained that when steps had been taken in regard to the Otago Court it was stated that the space allotted for the court would be 5000 ft, but this would probably be increased. It was proposed to make a feature of wool, grain, and other primary produce, and together with these would be exhibits jrom the wooilen mills, etc. The whole of ihe space would be free to exhibitors. The exhibits would be the property of the exhibitors, though those who were in generous mood might give them to the Exhibition Company. It was desired that local committees should be established in each part of the province. These would procure exhibits representative of the different parts of the province, and would co-operate with the Central Committee. In the centre of the court it was proposed that there should be u reception room in which Otago citizens could meet. Provision would also be made for historical exhibits. The proposals were at present tentative, but they were rapidly developing to a concrete form. The people of Dunedin were at present thinking of nothing but the Exhibition, and it was hoped that Oamaru would become enthusiastic over what was going to be one of the biggest business propositions ever undertaken in the dominion. It was desired that Oamaru should be represeated on the Central Committee, a meeting of which was to be held next, week It was expected that Oamaru would miue a bid display of stone and other minerals Canterbury was going to make *“that frozen meat, and it. was suggested that Oamaru should do likewise, meore> particularlv as the frozen meat industry of th dominion lias its origin m Otago. \\ hat wouldTheTforthcoming & on the Pl J^ n W 00 8! l °sQ (A ffinlia t Otago intended giving the other r™nnces the biggest “go” they had ever had m their lives Provision had been made on the eastern side of the Exhibition buildings for ihe provincial courts. Southland had secured 2600 ft of space at and Otago was to have about 6000 ft, with a probable increase. What they wanted to do was to show the rest of Now Zealand that Otago possessed resources second to none The question of finance was an important one. The experience of Wembley was that the cost was approximately £1 per foot. They had made their assessment on this basis. The northern districts had adopted the method of making a levy upon the capital value of tho different parts of the district, and that method had been adopted by Otago. The Oamaru borough was being asked to conti lbute £l5O, and the Waitaki county for £SOO. Up to date pledges had been received for £IOOO ot the £SOOO they were asking for. Ihe general feeling was that this was a unique occasion and that it warranted special efforts. It was not necessary that the contributions from local bodies should come out of unauthorised expenditure. Special legislation had been passed enabling local authorities to make grants for the Exhibition out of ordinary revenue. Mr Steel stated that they had the men and the material, and he hoped they would find the money too. He trusted that they would agree to form an activo committee in Oamaru which would Work enthusiastically for the one great object. The southern part of Otago had offered its active support. Central Otago was doing likewise, and he felt sure that North Otago would not be found wanting. In conclusion, Mr Steel stated that opportunities did not come every day. He hoped they would seize this opportunity of advertising their resources far and wide.—(Applause.) In answer to fi question. Mr Steel slated that Canterbury had applied for sCooft. up to date. Southland, which was a much smaller province, had applied for 2600 ft to date.

Mr W. Gardiner asked if the assessment of Dunedin city was a reasonable one when it was compared with that of the Waitaki county. Mr Steel explained that the assessment had been made on the relative capital value.

Mr J. MXaron pointed out that a considerable portion of the Waitaki county ennital value wM not rateable. Mr Steel stated that this was the case in every district. He had taken the pross capital value of nil districts as a basis of his assessment.

Mr Tavomer mentioned that it was costing the Dunedin city about £200,0000 to provide

for the Exhibition. They were also expending £30,000 on a tramway to the Ex hibitiou.

Mr W. Gardiner stated that Dunedin would have a permanent asset at the conclusion of the Exhibition. Mr Taverner admitted that this was so, but he stated that Dunedin was undertaking heavy responsibilities. The Mayor asked what it was proposed to do in the case of a deficit. % Mr Taverner stated that there would be no deficit on the provincial court. It was proposed to sell fruit from Central Otago in the provincial court. This would yield a certain amount of revenue.

In answer -to a further question by the Mayor, Mr Taverner stated that any loss on the Exhibition as a whole would be borne by tho Exhibition Company. They did not expect to make a big profit. Mr Gardiner stated that while, he considered the assessment of the Waitaki County was rather high he felt sure that North Otago would respond liberally. This was a dominion affair, and not a Dunedin one. Personally, he was going to assist tho project all he could. Tho matter would have to be decided by the local bodies themselves. lie ventured to say that they would show the rest of the province that they were really small potatoes compared with Oamaru. Messrs G. Livingstone and W. Nicholson stated that Waitaki County Council would give the project its warmest support. They could not promise a definite sum in the meantime.

Mr H. Deal, a member of the Oamaru Borough Council, mentioned that he had inspected the Exhibition buildings, and was surprised at their magnitude. The Mayor stated that the Borough Council. like the county, would have to discuss the matter before giving a definite reply. At the same time, he promised that the project would receive favourable consideration. lie thought himself that the assessment was reasonable. He asked if revenue for the court could not be secured from secondary industries.

Mr Steel stated that the secondary industries would be exhibited in another part of the building. The provincial court was intended for primary produce only. The Mayor stated that the matter would be brought before the local authorities, and a definite reply would be made by these to the Central Committee. A hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Taverner and Steel terminated the meeting.