SOMETHING TO BEAT

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20524, 14 June 1938, Page 2

SOMETHING TO BEAT

IN EXHIBITION EFFORT AUCKLAND COURT OF 1025-1926 It is confidently predicted that the Auckland court in the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition of 1939-40 will surpass the province's display in tho New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition at Dunedin in 1925-20. The official record of 1925-20 has this passage:— “The Auckland court was open to the view of passers-by. Above a low three-fdot barrier the front wall consisted of a succession of wide arches, supported on pillars of imitation greystone. the masonry effect being obtained in the same manner as that of the British court. Where pillars and wall met, a note of colour was introduced by ttower-boxes. “A central octagon, with a cairn of limestone displaying ferns and nikau palms, divided the court into four bays. in the first the two principal features were a spacious wall-painting of Auckland city and harbour, from Grafton Bridge in the foreground to Rangitoto in the distance, and a bold model of the new War Memorial Museum. In this bay also was a fine wool exhibit, a choice display of handpainted china by an Auckland lady, a display of kauri gum, and a model of one of the Auckland Harbour Board's dredges.

“A feature was made in these bays of wall-painting which surrounded the court with a magnificent gallery of provincial scenes; and this pictorial method of representation brought home to the visitor the wonderful range of scenery, products, and climate, from temperate south to subtropical far north, and the distinctive warm tones and colours which invest the Auckland province with its peculiar charm, although there was no representation of the unique thermal wonders of Rotorua, Taupo, or Wairakei. These paintings depicted Whangaroa, Russell, Whangarei, Ilokianga, the famous AVaitomo Caves, the Hamilton bridges over the great Waikato River, Ohinemutu under on evening sky. Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. “In these bays were displayed such products as maize and lucerne, dairy produce, skins and leather, concrete manufactures from the Portland cement works, a wide range of minerals and native timbers, also Maori curios. In front of a perspective painting showing long lines of lemon trees, growing trees were displayed, along with baskets of lemons, grapes and oilier fruits associated with warm climates. “Two interesting exhibits were shown near the entrance to the court. One was a splendid slab of kauri fully seven feet in width; the other, representing the famous deep-sea fishing of North Auckland, was a giant swordfish —a stuffed monster 13ft 4in in length, weighing 560 lbs. One bay in the court was very comfortably furnished as a lounge.”