AROUND THE STALLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1020, 10 July 1930, Page 19

AROUND THE STALLS

WEALTH OF PROVINCE DISPLAYED SIDESHOWS AND SHOWMEN Within the spacious sheds of the Central Wharf reigns all the splendour and achievement of another Auckland Winter Exhibition. Through the gates one enters a wonderland and there meets a scintillating scene; the jostling and curious crowd and a grand array, in meticulous detail, of the wealth of the province—industrial and agricultural. All Auckland will see tlae show, but not iu a day. There is so much to see . Stall upon stall has its numerous enticements and time goes unnoticed as one. of a slow moving throng, goes from display to display, ■wondering at their magnificence and ever learning more of the great productions of an industrious province. And the lure of a show! How people are gripped in its embrace. There is the playground with its morry-go-round, its sideshows, darts, hoop-la, and all the fun of the fair, while above the ring of voices of the showmen comes music, or perhaps the mellow voice of a courageous vocalist who sings the latest hits to a critical crowd. The more serious-minded can Snd pleasure and enhancement in the varied exhibitions and displays of agriculture and industry. Once through those busy gates, one enters a hive of activity. From a "Quad,” huge doors lead to the various sections. Swinging to the left one sees the poster—'‘Blazing the line of cleanliness throughout New Zealand.” Women folk cluster round with admiring eyes. There is a grand range of vacuum cleaners. “They make housework a pleasure.” murmurs the neatly groomed young salesman , as he gives a demonstration. And the Auckland City Mission has its stall. It does indeed represent a silent appeal for charity. ' The re arehealthy happy children at Sister Pat's camp,” reads the placard. The energetic, Rev. Jasper Calder is there, fussing about, while on display is a small model of the mission’s doss house. NEW ZEALAND’S WINES Then, there is a decided contrast. There are exhibits ol’ wines. New Zealand and imported. The neat lines of bottles with their sparkling contents are attractive and give a thirst. A flickering red light from behind make a bright scene while in and out of the curtained-off enclosure, go those to sample the tasty drinks. Here, sombre but majestic, stand petrol bowsers. There are exhibits of oils at this show and one sees through the many testing tubes, the varied grades and colour of oils, as they are filtered through many processes. Refrigerators for the home, a great range, indeed, occupy another store. They appear out of place to many folks in these wlntery months, but the housewife looks ahead to the sweltering hot days of an Auckland summer and can admire those neat machines. "Please sample our goods,” seems to be the popular motto of those industrious firms which have so artistically arranged their goods. The modest onlooker steps forward. It is a tasty experiment. He smiles and walks away, but will, possibly remember on future shopping days the brand which he has tried. Wide ranges of health loods rake a great deal of space and the mother gazes at the appealing pictures of buxom babies which adorn the stalls. There is so much at the show for the housewife which tho wary husband may not approve. Yes, the housewife’s dream promises to come true when she acres the great range of sectric stoves. There, one sees busy rooks, neatly garbed in white uni•onns, baking cakes and cooking meats *nd vegetables, while an admiring crowd stands about. WHERE THE FARMER STOPS Here the farmer stops, while the *hy folk pause for a few beats of time through curiosity. It is the hunting-machine and farm implement •rotion. And even the farmer sees things he has never seen before, fixed to the wall as though ready for epecatiqn. is the latest releaser. Yet. kin a greater improvement. And “Ct®' hanging over the rail in the niodel cowshed, hangs the latest in teat-cups. The dairy farmer sees “slons of milking his herd more thickly with less labour. He taxes a talesman with questions and. welljaden with pamphlets, continues his wanderings about the show. On*. wanders on. and the hours tick • „ y vfith remarkable rapidity. On "I sides there is the hum of activity *>® finds exhibits of more than •snal interest and there pauses to be .irtiahed by the moving throng. Here ih a small stall, not conspicuous because of the massive exhibits around t. Is a display of Indian art ware. “It sally does all come from India and 8 genuine,” says a native youth of hdia. who takes charge while his “aster is away. And there, one finds he narrow shelves chockful of wierd “filaments. Buddhas, elephants, Ci »els and a great array of novelties. N®xt, is a display of books. Not heap novels, but the world’s best “terature, and here students spend aluable moments and long for many ‘ those great volumes, many so expensive. One has a passing glance at the in* ne machines an* then passes out ™ dll the rabble of one of the quadogles where hoarse-voiced showmen ,or one to try his luck. There /® sideshows of every description, Wt boards, shooting galleries, hoop-loi-it? 1 * 80 mau y others, while all are y decorated by paintings and poured awnings and blinds. There j*w some interesting personalities Showmen, as a rule, are aduturers and would they but tell some of their experiences? AMONG THF CARS shls 6 croiv< l moves on. In another ? ae Beeß tUe la,e *t in motor-cars, uaela are always changing and here ot-*i ai °l° r l s t realis his car is outtni?. ' Roadst IS, sedans, coaches, 'g. ere They are all there, while ..... ®®atly-decorated stands are which With pot Plant ß and shrubs attv. « enhance a scene, always so •ctive when the luxury and com-