HUGE CROWD SEES EXHIBITION CLOSING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17836, 3 May 1926, Page 13

HUGE CROWD SEES EXHIBITION CLOSING.

84,000 PEOPLE JOSTLE ALONG CHOCOLATE ALLEY, CHEERING AND LAUGHING, WITH STREAMERS FLYING.

IT was a memorable and historic scene at the Dunedin Exhibition in the hour before midnight of Saturday. Only those who were there can have a complete idea of the joyous, jostling, hilarious crowd, thousands papfer-hatted and waving streamers and carrying coloured balloons. Girls shrieked, young men yelled, but the laughter was the predominating note. The girls did not care for the slush underfoot; that silk stockings and expensive shoes were ruined—they were out for fun and made the most of the last hour.

Between 11 o’clock and midnight there were also remarkable scenes at the Dunedin Railway Station. At one end thousands of people were surging to special trains for the north, and at the other there was an equally dense crowd of southerners making for the special trains. Every town and hamlet in Otago had made Saturday a whole holiday, and huge numbers took advantage of it to rush for the city.

(Special to the“ Star/’) DUNEDIN’, May 2. The curtain was rung: down on the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition on Saturday afternoon by the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, but as far as the public was concerned the end did not come until Sunday was born. Over 80,000 people passed through the turnstiles. By all it has been voted a huge success, the following expressions of opinion, gathered by a “ Lyttelton Times ” reporter, being typical. “ I congratulate the directors on the wonderful success with which their efforts have been crowned.”— The Prime Minister. ’* It has been a magnificent success. more than realising our anticipations.”—Mr H. L. Taplev, Mayor of Dunedin. « “ I have seen five exhibitions (but not Wembley) and this is the finest of all. It has been worth while.”- —Sir Joseph Ward. “It has been a great success, a credit to the loyalty of the people of Dunedin and New Zealand generally. It should be a great advertisement for the Dominion."—Captain Anderson. Argyll and Sutherland Band. ,f Tt has been great. There have been huge crowds of people and they have responded well to the orders of. the traffic control men.-'i am highly delighted.” —“Superintendent W. Mathieson. “ I think success can be claimed. It has surpassed anything anticipated.”— Mr J. W. Collins, New Zealand Government Commissioner. A HUGE CROWD. The closing night scenes will live long in the memory of those fortunate enough to be present. Over 80,000 people jostled, pushed and pressed, but the immense concourse was good-humoured and in carnival spirit. Paper caps and paper streamers were everywhere, and balloons floated in the air.

It is impossible to describe the Amusement Park. In front of each side-show or stall patrons were lined up a dozen deep, and long queues were lined up at the Scenic Railway, The Whip, Dodgems, etc., all eager to have a final thrill. Through the lanes there was a surging mass of humanity; where parties existed, the chain system (single file, hands on shoulders) was adopted, and it was the best means of making progress. Everyone was out for fun, and no one minded discomfort. They had their fun in plenty and kept it up until a new day was born. THE ATTENDANCES. The following are the figures for each week since the opening, with the biggest day of each week in parentheses:—

Inside the buildings it was the same; the avenues and lanes were all crowded. Tired men. women and children sat wherever they could find a place, even the railings of the stands being utilised.

‘Luckily the rain of the morning and afternoon stopped as evening approached. There was a continuous stream of trams, ’buses and cars, and as the passengers passed through the entrance turnstiles the latter clicked like a telegraph instrument. The control of the huge crowd was admirable anu reflected great credit on the Dunedin police. The difficulties were even greater in the last hour as the people r>egan to make for home, and the marvel was that there were no accidents m the rush for vehicles. r anterbury s Court was always crowded, and host and hostess, Mr C. E. Cross and Mrs J. W. E. Cross, were untiring in looking after the welfare of hundreds of callers. Mr Cross made a new name for the court as far as hospitality was concerned. The commissioner, Mr Havelock Williams, was equally indefatigable. He has merited great praise for the business-like way in which he has managed the court. Thanks are also due to Miss Watson, A oung Street, for her consideration for thfe various hosts and hostesses, all of whom occupied her flat.

CANTERBURY COURTS FAREWELL. “This is the greatest community fair ever held in New Zealand’s history,” said Mr Havelock Williams (Commissioner of Canterbury Court). “ This young country has shown the world what it can do, Dunedin and its courageous citizens leading the way and guiding the destinies of this magnificent undertaking. It is now time to bid adieu to our hosts of Dunedin friends and to the many kindly officials of Logan Park. I look back over the past six.months and marvel. It hardly seems possible that we have had such a huge crowd—well over three millions of people—through the turnstiles of the Exhibition and through its courts. If there was ever a doubt as to whether it was worth while to have Canterbury—or any other province, for that matter-—represented here, that doubt was long ago dispelled. It has been splendidly worth while. The mutual knowledge the Various provinces have gained of one another; the wonderful eye-opener as to what our New Zealand manufacturers c&n do, afforded by the magnificent displays in the. Secondary Court, and the splendid exhibits made by the several Government departments have been veritable eye openers, and would, alone have ( made it well worth while. But;'in addition to all this, loyalty and patriotism, love of the Motherland and of the Empire have been immensely stimulated by the easily first British Government Court.

“ 'S£e your own country first—particularly Canterbury province, the ideal place to holiday, to work' 'to'five in,’ also * Buy New Zealand goods first, and Empire goods if your New Zealand goods are not obtainable,’ have been our slogans throughout; and great, undoubtedly, has been the.impression, they have'made. This last six mouths mark a great forward move in the development of our Dominion, and must have far-reaching and lasting results. “ To the county councils and to the other bodies who made the Canterbury Court possible I tender my thanks and appreciation as also, I am quite sure, do the many hundreds of thousands of people who have visited and enjoyed our court.”

THE CLOSING CEREMONY.

MESSAGE FROM TIIE KING. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 2. Saturday, the final day of Dunedin's great venture, was ushered in by the patter of falling rain, which continued all day. Nothing daunted, thousands came from near and far to watch the curtain fall. Altogether fifteen trainsarrived from long distances. The town was full, and over all hung a spirit of carnival. Thousands streamed down the highway till the courts and grounds were full. The festival hall, for the closing ceremony, was packed to the doors, and thousands listened, in the falling rain in the grand court to the reproduction of the loud speakers*'' which had been installed for the occasion. The Prime Minister read a communication from his Majesty the King. The message stated:— “It is a great pleasure to me to learn that the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition which closes to-day has been .so successful, and that the attendances have reached the I truly remarkable figure of three millions. I am confident that the hope which I expressed at the opening of the Exhibition, that it would achieve bgood results in promoting co-operation and prosperity among mv people and in furthering international good-will, has been realised.” OTHER MESSAGES. 1 Mr Sutherland Ross (president of the Exhibition Company) read a letter from his Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral regretting that he and her Excellency were unable to be present. He congratulated the directors on the success of the project, and stated that the whole Empire realised the value of the Exhibition to the Dominion as a means of propaganda and advertisement.

The following message was received from the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs: “The Prime Minister has asked me to convey to you and to your Ministers his congratulations on the remarkable success of the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition. I wish to associate myself most warmly with his message.” The Prime Minister of Canada cabled: “Permit me, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to extend hearty congratulations on the success of the South Seas International Exhibition at Dunedin, which concludes shortly. The efficiency with which the entire Exhibition was conducted is most creditable to all concerned and the results cannot fail to improve the trade relations and understanding within the Empire" The Prime Minister of Australia i-.

cabled: “On the occasion of the closing of the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, I desire to offer, on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth, my congratulations on its successful completion. It required a broad vision, high courage and fearless enterprise on the part of the promoters to launch such a huge undertaking, as well as organising capacity of a high order to carry it through to a successful issue. I learnt with the greatest pleasure that the attendance has exceeded three millions, which is undeniable evidence of public support, and must be very gratifying to your Government and all 'concerned in the Exhibition. I feel certain that the. Exhibition will have the effect of expanding New Zealand trade with all countries, of stimulating to an appreciable extent commercial intercourse between the Dominion and Australia, and of strengthening the bond of kinship and friendship between the people of the Dominion and those of the Commonwealth. I also wish to take .this opportunity of extending my thanks for the courtesy and kindness extended and assistance given Mr Clive •Macpherson and Sir Henry Barwell, who specially visited the Exhibition on behalf of the Commonwealth, and to Mr Smallhorne, the Australian representative.”

A WONDERFUL SUCCESS. Mr Coates, in declaring the Exhibition closed, said from an architectural, instructional and advertising point of view it had been a wonderful success. Music and all phases of knowledge and art had been supplied. He referred to the British Court as one of the most worthy exhibits, and most valuable from an educative point of view. A reference to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Band brought prolonged applause. Mr Coates said he wished to return to Mr Ross, the chairman of directors, the deeds signed and receipted for £50,000. From the great venture seed must come which would indeed bear fruit. He felt he could not conclude without referring to those who did the spade-work, and made the history of the Dominion. The slogan “ Buy British Goods ” should be adopted. Eighty-six per cent of our exports were to British countries, and 70 per cent of our imports were from British countries last year. He hoped that the effect of the Exhibition would be felt for years to come, and strengthen the bonds of unity in the Empire. It was a great pleasure that in his first year of office he was connected with such a venture. He would therefore declare the Exhibition closed. Thus the curtain was formally rung down, and Dunedin lost that which, for months, has been its life. Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P. (Mayor) congratulated the directors on the success of the Exhibition, a success that was not even dreamed of by the most optimistic. After referring to the City Council's action in providing adequate transport for the crowds by means of a new tram service and a complementary ’bus service, he said the Exhibition had shown that Dunedin possessed enterprising citizens who were alive to the importance of their town, of agriculture and the secondary industries. The results must stimulate the sale of home manufactures. The British court, he said, had made them feel what life under the British flag was. and they felt proud of their noble heritage. The Prime Minister presented Mr Anscombe, the Exhibition architect, with a commemorative casket. THE LAST SCENES.

Though the closing ceremony was over, the Exhibition remained open till midnight. Fifteen trains arrived m the city, bringing over 6000 visitors, and all day the railway station, highway and city were full to overflowing. In the day 83,935 people attended, and Lake Logan mud for once proved no legend. Till a late hour they filled every corner of the park. The' Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Band played till almost nfidnight, and a Dunedin crowd, for once, forgot its reserve and reticence and cheered and applauded every item. Never before has Dunedin seen such scenes at such an hour. The exodus from the city by special trains went on till well into the small hours of Sunday. About 2.30 a.m. the last singing trainload left, and the night walkers began to move off. The band had a rousing farewell, and before the close the whole ground sang with it “ Auld Lang Syne ” and “Will .Ye No Come Back Again?”

First week 114.411 (45.786) Second week 81.678 (22.963) Third week 98.462 < 30.053) Fourth week SS.644 (24,028) Fifth week 300.107 (27.096) Sixth week 98.599 (42.250) Seventh we :k 189.263 (50.971) Eighth we el131.828 (33.483) Ninth week 154,822 (37,730) Tenth week 141.047 (37,365) Eleventh v eek .... 145.024 (32.922) Twelfth week 116.332 (30,755) Thirteenth week .... 106.617 (29.023) Fourteenth week .... 113.846 (34.182) Fifteenth week .... 116.939 (30.208) Sixteenth w eek .... 151.594 (36.894) Seventeenth week . . 122.719 (33.397) Eighteenth week .... 1 OS,442 (30.276) Nineteenth week .... 114.476 (33.182) Twentieth week .... 135.102 (50.914) Twentv-first week 173.857 (51.323) Twenty-second week 139.178 (40.185) Twcntv-third week .. 172.1.34 (60,551) T wentv-fourth week 265.357 (83.935) Grand total. 3.200.49S. INSIDE THE BUILDINGS.