“THE OLD ORDER CHANGETH”

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 50, 23 November 1926, Page 11

“THE OLD ORDER CHANGETH”

WELLINGTON AND AUCK. LAND GROWING TOGETHE'

MORE SENSE AND LESS PREJUDICE

“I was present at the Royal Agricultural Show at Auckland last week," said the Mayor (Mr. C. J. B. Norwood) yesterday, "and I would be failing in my duty if I did not offer a tribute to Auckland both on the wonderful . organisation apparent on every hand at this important show and the whole-hearted response of the public. On the day I was there the attendance, I was assured, was over 35,000, which is rather remarkable for an Agricultural Show. But it was really something more than that. One of the most attractive outdoor mass displays I have ever seen was an interhouse competition for groups of uniformed girls, each representing some or other of the wholesale or retail drapery establishments. Each wore distinctive costumes, and they marched and counter-marched in style. Afterwards they indulged in football passing competitions (the competitors remaining stationary in certain positions that formed a geometrical design), and afterwards passed a hoop in something the same manner. It was an extremely beautiful spectacle, and one I would like the Wellington public to see if occasion offered.

“If you are saying anything of this," continued Mr. Norwood, “I would like you to .mention the extraordinary spontaneity of the hospitality anil many courtesies extended to me during my brief visit to Auckland, not only by the municipal bodies, but by the public generally. It has fully persuaded me that little, if any, of that spirit of petty jealousy remains which was said to exist between the peoples of the two cities, and which mav in the past have had some political foundation. I have never been able to sense anything of the kind in Wellington—indeed, Auckland is a very popular holiday resort with a great many residents of Wellington—and I am able to find onlv the heartiest good-will and friendship towards Wellington whenever I am in Auckland. This breakdown of all the stupid old prejudices of the past is an indication that, both cities are growing up and getting more sense.”