CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 2

CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

WOMEN’S SECTION LARGE HANDICRAFT DISPLAY PLANNED DEMONSTRATIONS AND LECTURES A room such as might have been found in the early pioneer homesteads in this country will be reconstructed in the women's section of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. It will be furnished with genuine antiques and personal possessions in the taste and style of the period, will probably contain one or two lay figures in the old-fashioned costumes of that by-gone era, and will be m every respect historically uccurate. Only in one way will it differ from the home of any early settler: almost every article in it will be rich in old asociations, being the actual property owned and used by the great men and women who laid the foundation stones of New Zealand history. In an interview with the Press, Mrs. C. P. Hainsworth, organiser of the women’s section, said that this original and interesting idea emanated from the Christchurch women’s committee —Mrs. M. G. Moore (chairman), Mrs. Cecil Wood (hon. secretary), Mrs. Mowbray Tripp, Mrs. a. K. Warren and Mr. 11. G. Helmore. The committee stated that it was known where a number of articles of historic worth were to be found, and

lit was expected that man> others : would come to lignt in due course. South Island s Share j The scheme was approved by the loans committee of the women’s section at Wellington and by members r of the Otago committee—Mrs. J. Sutherland Ross and Mrs. R. Dawson. It was decided that Canterbury and Otago should unite in this endeavour and that the period room should be the main feature of the South Island display in the loans section. The North Island also, said Mrs. Hainsworth, would exhibit a collec--1 tic.li of historic and interesting articles associated with the early settlo- ‘ ment of the Dominion, but theirs would be a more general display. Town clerks and local bodies througii- ' out the North Island had been conJ tacted and already the response was ’ most gratifying.

Mrs. Hainsworth expressed high praise of the zest and enthusiasm oi Canterbury and Otago women in supporting the women’s section of the exhibition. Handicraft of To-day In contrast to the historic portion ' lof the display, she said, the women's ' section would also contain much valu-1 'able handicraft of the descendants ol I the pioneers. It would be truly representative of every phase of women's I life in the Dominion to-day. A large handicrafts section was planned, and it was remarkable that already considerable interest in this section had been shown by overseas women. Inquiries had been received from women in England and Scotland as a result of interest roused during I Mr. and Mrs. Hainsworth’s visit Lo I the Old Country last year. ; The section would not only contain samples of products of all such arts and crafts as were open to women, but would include actual demonstrations of how these various articles 'were made—“working exhibits,” Mrs. I Hainsworth called them. Skilled exponents would show the processes of, say, weaving, pottery, china painting, | metal working and similar handi- i crafts in which women excelled. The ' 'standard of craftsmanship aimed at j would be as high as possible. Countrywomen’s Interests

I In addition there would be an im- ■ 'portant countrywomen’s section,! .where the interests and activities of farmers’ wives and other country dwellers would be fully represented, 'and every subject which might occupj 'the rural housewife’s working hours 'or leisure would find a place in this section. Arrangements were being made for authoritative lectures and demonstrations in the capacious lecture-hall attached to the women’s section. Women who were recognised as Dominion and even world authorities on their subjects would discuss them at 'length, with practical demonstrations, land no doubt prominent visitors from

overseas would also speak on subjects of interest to women. Among the subjects for which arrangements had so far been made were horticulture, nursing, child welfare, medicine, home science, electricity, music, art and literature drama and cookery. Considerable emphasis was to be laid on the cultural aspect of these lectures. The section will also contain a library of the works of New Zealand women authors.