HUGE BUILDINGS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19997, 24 July 1939, Page 14

HUGE BUILDINGS

EXHIBITION STRUCTURES WORK WELL UNDER WAY large display units “In about 10 weeks .the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition will open in Wellington, and for many of those connected with the work in its final stages, 'those weeks will seem like days,” said Mr. C. P. Hamsworth, general manager of the Exhibition, in an interview in Wellington. He stressed the need for a general appreciation of the nearness of the opening of the Exhibition, and a visit to the grounds at Rongotai confirmed the impression that the final stage oi construction and completion in the huge buildings was indeed well under way. , , The exhibit buildings themselves, vast halls with a total floor space of approximately 392,000 square fee:, had been completed, but inside the buildings there was a roar of activity as the exhibit stands themselves were erected. Outside the main buildings the lay-out of (the grounds, the erection of special pavilions, the construction of “Playland,” and the completion of other structures was .going on with rapid changes from day to day. • _ Over the whole 55 acres of the Exhibition grounds there was a bustle and stir as hundreds of workmen applied themselves to many and varied tasks. A Complete Township “Apart from sleeping accommodation, the Exhibition, ancl its grounds wiil be a complete township, with all the facilities tor the everyaay activities of a community,” said Air. Hainsworth. “On November 8, when the Governor-General, Lord Galway, will open the Exhibition, there will spring into life a vast organisation that will serve as'a centre for instruction and entertainment for all the people of New Zealand, and for overseas visitors, for more than six months. . A police station, a fire brigade station, an ambulance service, customs and postal and telegraph facilities, and many other organisations to cater for the needs of every section of the community in ail circumstances, will be available. “The largest display unit,” said Mr. Hainsworth, “will be the Government court, where 2G State Departments will be represented in .a building with a floor space of 100,000 square feet. Here visitors will see the working and administration of their country as a whole brought into one compact but vast exhibit.

“Another special feature depicting the life of the country as a whole, will be the Dominion court, where every province is represented. Here fascinating models will portray typical scenes from the town and country life from all parts of the Dominion. Overseas Representation

“Great Britain, Australia, Canada, and Fiji will be represented by special displays at the Exhibition. Great Britain and Australia are erecting their own pavilions. Already the massive simplicity of the British pavilion, and the striking and dramatic lines of the Australian buildings can be seen in the preliminary structures. Canada is arranging a national display that will occupy a floor space of approximately 11.000 square feet in the main exhibit building, and Fiji wifi be represented in a colourful arid interesting exhibit in the motors and transportation buildings. “A separate building is being erected for the Port of London Authority, in which will be incorporated diaramas depicting the Port of London through.the ages, during its history of not less than 2000 years. “An undertaking of this kind would be incomplete without a section devoted to the interests of women, and a large area has been set aside where all branches of women’s work will be displayed.”