THE EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 186, 3 May 1940, Page 11

THE EXHIBITION

Still Evening Brings Big Attendance

PRIME MINISTER AT FARMERS’ DINNER

Exhibition attendances continue to mount steadily toward the climax tomorrow. Yesterday’s visitors numbered 25,991. The day was for the most part perfectly calm; the early evening was the stillest of the whole Exhibition period. As the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, remarked iii a speech at the Exhibition last night, the grounds resembled a fairyland.

The fotitltaiii gave its most impressive showing last night. In. the still air, the central column of water was thrown lip to a lielglit of 90 feet, ami the tinkling drops tumbled back into the basin again without spraying the lawns or paths nearby, as usually .happens. The fine Spray of the delicate jets, so light that the slightest breath of air drifts it like a mist to leeward, sank i,u rainbows of changing light found the ornamental mermaids ou their prancing Seahorses. So inviting was the scene that some 2500 people climbed the Exhibition tower yesterday—most of them last night—to look down on the floodlit grounds, with the ant-like figures of the people coming and going about them. Farmers’ Party Dinner. An official dinner was held last night in the Exhibition Restaurant by members of the Southland farmers’ party at present visiting Wellington. The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, and Mrs. Fraser, were guests of honour. The leader of the party, Mr. E. A. Cameron, president of the Southland executive of the Farmers’ Union, recalled that a few weeks ago another party of Southland farmers had visited the Exhibition. That was only the advance guard, these the main body. Leaving their difficulties and troubles as far behind as the north was from the south, the farmers had come to see the capital, where laws were made and income tax spent. Southland, claimed Mr. Cameron, produced the world’s best fat lamb and dairy produce. He paid tribute to the pioneer men and women who had made the province what it was. Mrs. H. Erskine, Tuatapere, who wag present, represented those pioneer women of Southland. Introducing Mr. Fraser, Mr. Cameron Said they looked to him, not as the leader of the Labour Party, but as the leader of the whole Dominion. On. behalf of the party, the Prime Minister presented Mrs. Erskine with a pungtf-wood 'bowl, in tribute to all tho pioneer Women who went into the Southland bush and made it the smiling countryside it was today. Praise For Province. Southland was a great province, said Mr. Fraser. He yielded to none in his admiration for what nature had bestowed on that province. At the Dunedin and South _Seas Exhibition he was indelibly impressed by the Southland Court representation of its mountains, rivers and lakes. Never had he seen a finer panorama. The present Exhibition was on different lines, and be congratulated the manager of the court, Mr. Mdtikay, and all concerned with the Southland display. Ho would not care to discriminate between Canterbury and Southland lamb, but he bad no hesitation iu affirming the superiority of Southland cheese. The province held the Bledisloe Cup for cheese. Such a reputation took years to build up, and he could only congratulate the cheese manufacturers who were responsible.

Mrs. Fraser, the deputy-chairman of the Exhibition directorate, Mr. Charles Todd, Colonel D. Pottinger, Mr. Henry Smith and Mr. D. H. Cockburn also spoke. Members of his staff yesterday presented the Exhibition custodian, Captain J. G. W. Salt, with a memento of the happy relationships between them during the Exhibition. Appreciation was expressed of his courtesy and tact iti handling the staff. Gifts were also presented-, to (Mrs. Salt, and to Messrs. W. Sherwood, and A. A. Young. Tonight the president chairman and directors of the. Exhibition will give a formal dinner in the restaurant to the commissioners of the overseas pavilions and courts.

Exhibition Highlights

This, is your last opportunity to record your signature in the Centennial Roll of Commemoration and to obtain your Centennial Certificate of Attendance. Roll closes May 4. Situation, General Exhibits Court—next to Moa.

After tomorrow it will be too late to see the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. This marvellous collection has taken Mr. Berman 42 years to acquire. Nothing like it in the world.

Vivid! Stirring! Dramatic! The world's most famous skating act. You must, sec it to believe it. Only (wo days left to Visit the St. Moritz Ice Skaters in I’layland

See Hitler's Horrors of Mechanized Murder. First showing in New Zealand of the German Giant Torpedo aud Nazi Mine, captured in the North Sea. I’layland’s Premier Attraction.

Only two days to go. Your last chance to sample the most marvellous Coffee in New Zealand.. ' “French Maid” with Real Cream and Biscuits. Cd. Opp. Maori Court.

You lust chance to see the nnitiziug Model Theatre in the Blue Pavilion before it is packed away pending negotiations for exhibiting in America.