New Sights and Sensations.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 5, 29 July 1908, Page 11

New Sights and Sensations.

Though still requiring a plentiful application of “finishing touches” which are likely to go on for a month or two, the great Exhibition at Shepherd’s Bush has already become a boon and a blessing to London, and promises to become the most popular temporary resort ever opened in the hub of the Empire. A pity it is that it cannot be retained as part and parcel oi Loudon’s attractions beyond next October. For one thing, it forms a splendid new “lung” for this overgrown, brick and mortar dominated city, and it also affords a magnificent playground for the toiling millions of the metropolis during the sultry days of summer. The Exhibition is worth a visit if only for the sake of the fresh air and amusements you can find in its spacious grounds. When evening shadows fall, and the “White City’s” buildings are outlined in electric lights, it is a really beautiful sight, and ’tis then that you discover how popular the place has already become in spite of the extremely bad advertisement the Exhibition received by reason of its premature opening. Every evening the public attendance increases by leaps and bounds, and given the opportunity, those who go once are certain to go again. The place has undoubtedly a peculiar fascination, and as it can be reached fairly quickly and cheaply from all parts of the metropolis, it is undoubtedly destined to be “the” resort of Londoners whilst it remains open. Outside the attractions common to most exhibitions, the Franco-British possesses many “side-shows” quite unique. One of them, which promises to be peculiarly successful, is the “Flip-Flap.” All roads—-Exhibition roads, that is—lead to the “Flip-Flap,” and flip-flapping seems likely to be the most popular side-show at Shepherd’s Bush. The flip-flap presents a faint similarity to the rising arms of the Tower Bridge roadway, and works on a somewhat similar principle; but, instead of stopping at the top, the two arms go right over and down the other side. The cars, which are attached to the end of the arms, sweep iu opposite directions in a semi-circle upwards through the air, and come to the ground 300 ft from the startir.g-pount, passing each other quite closely at the highest point attained. The cars swing on an axle, and are weighted so as always to keep a vertical position. The 100-h.p. electric motor is situated in the centre between the two great five-ton shafts up>on which the arms turn, and the system of balance is so exact that the motor has only a few tons weight to lift. The length from axle to car ot each arm is 150 ft. As the axle is 25ft above the ground, the top altitude is 175 ft. The journey takes between four and five minutes, a brief halt being made at the top to enable passengers to take in the full beauty of the scene below. There is no vibration and no sensation of motion at all. The earth simply moves away, and a wide view of the Exhibition and the surrounding country spreads out under c-ne’s eyes. It is the best and, indeed, the only place from which one could completely appreciate the plan and realise the full beauty of the White City all at once.

Another very attractive feature of the Exhibition, is the daily performance of the al fresco spectacle, “Our Indian Empire,” in an arena covering 40,000 square feet, near the Indian Palace. In the main Indian conditions are reproduced as far as they wa fie. There are real Indian acrobats, tumblers, jugglers, sword swallowers, and animal trainers; and they severally go through performances such as may lie seen at a great native State tamasha, which the spectacle is supposed to represent. The grand finale represents a tiger hunt. The hunting party is on horses and on elephants, and these ascend a steep hill in pursuit of the prey, which is shot in the jungle out of sight. The elephants, having mounted the hill, come Sown singly by way of an incline, 45ft in height, at the bottom of which they are plunged into a lake of water with a great splash, reaching from one side of the arena to the other. They arc reluctant to slide down the incline, but onee in the waler they display a great disinclination to leave it. The performance is very realistic, and is one of the “draws” of the Exhibition.