THE EXHIBITION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21554, 17 January 1940, Page 8

THE EXHIBITION

Millionth Visitor Dunedin Woman Wins Prize By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. January 16. At 2 o’clock this afternoon the millionth visitor to the Centennial Exhibition at Rongotai passea tnrougn the turnstile and amid the cheers of thousands of spectators was led to the steps to the administrative building to • receive the prize given to mark this v historic occasion. The lucky person was Mrs L. D. Cogan. 392 Main North * Road, Dunedin. Warm sunshine and a cloudless sky in the early part of the * morning as well as a hope which * stirred in the hearts of many that they • might be the fortunate person were * responsible for a much larger attendance than yesterday, when the weather - proved unkind. When the turnstiles opened this morning the attendance figures regis- * tered 5890 short of a million, but so quickly did people arrive that shortly after noon it was decided to close all entrances but those at Kingsford Smith Street. As the million mark approached adults, children and season ticket holders were brought through the three turnstiles and formed into a single file to pass through the barrier w’here the general manager, Mr C. P. Hainsworth. stood checking them off. The noises of playland nearby were drowned by the rear of applause and cheering which went up immediately the millionth visitor was found. Cameras clicked on all sides as Mrs Cogan, excited and smiling, was conducted to the steps of the administrative building where she was presented to the chairman of directors, Mr T. C. A. Hislop. Mayor of Wellington. Accompanying her were two other women. Mrs Gibson Stott, 100 Hobson Street. Wellington, and Mrs M. H. Baird. 1 Cambridge Terrace, Masterton, who came through the barried just before and just after Mrs Cogan. Displayed on a table in front of the administrative building was the prize, a six-valve cabinet radio set presented by the British General Electric Company. Mr H. Seff. the playland organiser, presented to Mrs Cogan four bocks of free passes for all the devices in playland, and also books of passes for Mrs Baird and Mrs Stott. “Just to encourage everyone else till the second million mark is reached.” said Mr Hislop, before th? gathering dispersed, "the Exhibition Company has decided to give a number of further attendance prizes. Everyone who ends a hundred thousand will get a £5 note.” Mrs Cogan signed the official visitors’ book and later the prize winners were entertained at afternoon tea in the directors’ room.