AFRICA EXHIBITION.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19603, 8 January 1936, Page 3

AFRICA EXHIBITION.

THIS YEAR S BIG EVENT. Grand Scale Preparation. OVER 100 ACRES OF GROUND. AN EXHIBIT ALREADY ARRIVED. Nearly one year ahead of time, (he lirst exhibit for the Empire Exhibition, to be held at Johannesburg, South Afriea, from September, 1930, to January, 1937, has arrived at headquarters. This curious development, which probably stands unique in the his lory of such shows, is due to an accident.

A Dutch University College at tin town of Potchefstroom, came into possession of a covered wagon, very like those "prairie schooners" used by American settlers. It had survived an entire century since it helped to bring thousands of Boer Voortrekkers, or pioneers into the wilds of South Africa, Avhere now the flourishing gold-laden Transvaal and other provinces exist. Unable to house this venerable relic, the council of the Potchefstroom University College sent it to the Empire Exhibition, which promptly accepted this item for its transportation section. Virtually the whole British Empire has now agreed to take part in the display at Johannesburg next year.

Overseas Visitors

Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Southern Rhodesia, Kenya Colony, Zanzibar, and many others have definitely accepted, while staisfaetory news from India and New Zealand is due at any time now.

Mr. Claude Taylor, head of the exhibition branch of the Department of Overseas Trade, has just concluded a crowded but highly successful visit to Johannesburg, where he has settled the preliminaries of the great building to be erected by the Mother Country. Standing 90 feet, it will be remarkable on account of its absence of any name Only a group of gigantic Union Jacks, 36 feet in length, will afford the necessary clue together with the Royal coat-ef-arms, 15 feet square, which will be carved in the facade. Inside, a glass and bronze globe over 60 feet in circumference, wil be the dominating feature of the main hall. On it will appear the British Empire in red, and by ingenious mechanical devices it will not only be made to revolve, but it wil demonstrate vivid!v that: “The Sun never sets on the British Common wealth of Nations.” “Floating in Space.” Galleries surrounding this remark able exhibit will heighten the illusion that it is lloating in space, while from various levels will be displayed a panorama giving the story of the King’s Ships, the Mechanisation of the British Army, the Story of Flight, Triumphs of British Tropical Medicine, and other outstanding spectacles. Each of these displays will range up to 150 feet in length and will require, the use of models and lighting fixtures, the cost of Avhich is very heavy.

The King- lias given his personal permission for the use of certain property of the Crown. Such is the rate of growth in the space demands for the Empire Exhibition that even the 100 acre grounds hitherto available lmvo p roved insu Hic ie nt. With the permission of the Witwatersrand University, which adjoins Milner Park, the authorities have been allowed to “overflow” next door, where no less than three acres are being devoted to nurseries. All the glories of the incredibly beautiful Cape of Good Hope flora, many of which are restricted to a few hundred acres, will for the Exhibition, be transferred a thousand miles away at Johannesburg. Rare Plants. The South African National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch, near Cape Town, are arranging for tho transportation of such rare plants as the Silver Tree, Disa Granditlora and Africander. The arrangements are in tho hands of Mr. J. E. Wickcns, late head gardener of the South African Government, who is making possible this miracle which experts declare will alone justify a visit to the Empire Exhibition.

Hundreds of railway gangers in the wilds of South Africa are searching for queer rock-plants to be used' at the forthcoming show.

Similarly the Dominions and Colonies are being combed for their most interesting flora. The man who was Sir Herbert Baker's chief assistant in laying out the city of New Delhi, Mr. J. A. Hoogterp, and who was likewise responsible for laying out in the virgin bush, the British Empire's newest capital city—Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia—has taken over the position of Chief Consulting Architect at the Empire Exhibition. South Africa's best-known postmaster, Mr. L. B. Maggs, who headed the country's largest office, the one at Johannesburg, until recently, is now assistant general manager. Photographers from every part of (Continued at *™* " f next colnmiri.

the world are expected at Johannesburg- during the great Empire Meet, which will be held during the Empire Exhibition, for which preparations are already well advanced. Over thirty countries are participating, while four dilterent languages are employed in the invitations. Mi-. C. R. Savoury, honorary secretary of the Johannesburg Photographic Society, is hard at work on this important undertaking, and it is expected that section* will be devoted to such notable subjects as •African native life and llora, as well as to the history of photography as an art. ice skating in South African midsummer will be a reality during tho Empire Exhibition, for a rink measuring 200 ft. by 70ft., large enough for tournaments, is being laid out, A huge bubble fountain, 20ft high, down which millions of bubbles of iridescent foam will cascade, and which will bo illuminated at night, will be one of the spectacular attractions at Milner Park. Visitors may see the .15 miles ot stands silting in 2-sealer roller chairs, without experiencing the fatigue of walking. Contracts for (he first half-dozen balls have already been placed, and