MUCH WORK IN PREPARING FOR WHAKATANE SHOW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 2, 22 June 1949, Page 5

MUCH WORK IN PREPARING FOR WHAKATANE SHOW

The banging of hammers, shouts, the crackle of a loudspeaker and the hum of machinery deafened the intruder to the winter show building yesterday as final preparations were being made for the first show to be held at Whakatane for eight years. Busy stall holders laying out their attractions in neat “catch the eye” displays worked unperturbed by the din and bustle- around them.

To the stranger, who might have wandered in the show area, it was a scene of mad hurrying and active people. In the grounds side shows and giant wheels and a merry go round were being erected. The giant ferris wheel towering high up, ready to give many a thrill; the merry go round with its now idle gaudy horses and the empty candy stall waiting to be overflowed with the sweets. “Know & See Yourself”

Over in one corner stands the monkey speedway with the almost human riders playing unworriedly outside. Next to it stands “the latest electric scientific gadget” where “you can know and see yourself as others see you—your charm, personality, sex appeal.” Gun ranges, hoop la stalls and mysterious side shows packed in to every available inch of spare ground. Today until Saturday there will be no lack of entertainment at the show. In the hall it was a different atmosphere although the din was worse. Farm machinery of all descriptions. washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, everything to make the lot of the farmer and the housewife a little bit easier. Radios, clothing with the latest fashions, all displayed by local dealers. There is even a film stall featuring the latest film releases to be screened at Whakatane during next month. The work of children from the various primary and high schools in the district are displayed the length of the hall and here the post office can find satisfaction in the samples of hand writing offered. Produce, preserves, fruit, vegetables, poultry, flowers and everything that shows cater for in the way of home produced goods are here in abundant supplies. By a wall hundreds of familiar looking cartons, boxes and containers of different kinds made from the board produced at the Whakatane mill, make a bright corner. Latest Cars & Trucks

At the rear of the hall cars and trucks, the latest models, both English and American show themselves off to advantage. They make an interesting comparison with the vehicles that were displayed here eight years ago. Up till late last night work was being done at the show area. The record entries received for everything are amply displayed in the goods that have been crammed into every available square inch, inside and out.

Today the show will be officially opened at 2 p.m. and will then carry on each day from 10 a'.rm to 10 p.m. until it ends Saturday night.