EXHIBITION THRILLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19474, 8 May 1925, Page 10

EXHIBITION THRILLS.

THE AMUSEMENT ZONE. AN ELABORATE SCHEME. Some information on the Amusement Zone, the details of which have mil hitherto been available, was given at last night's meeting of tho directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company. Recognising the important part which tins section will play in attracting visitors, the directors have decided to construct an amusement park which will appeal lo ; 11 tastes ami which will leave little to bo desired. Mho scouio railway, lo which reference has already been made, will not merely ho a small engine iimi carriage moving along rails. On tho contrary, it will bo a medern contrivance and tho trade—an elevated structure-—will rise in places lo 45 feet, making the greater portion of the journey a breathlessly fast gravity rido in cone binatiou with this will be an up-to-date chute, consisting of boats sliding between rails into a lake. Mho Caterpillar is another novel device which will give a thrilling ride. It consists of a light, circular truck on which a continuous series of 24 carriages is kept revolving about a central shaft. After one or two revolutions tho operator suddenly shifts a lover and a movable cover is pulled over tho scats so as to cause the whole moving contrivance to resemble a careering caterpillar—heaving and bulging in parts is caterpillars do. No soonor have tbo passengers accustomed themselves to tho tunnel when two big blowers beneath tho track are thrown into action, and it will nor. bo surprising if somo of the passengers make a mental review of thoir past sins and resolve to load better lives in future, if they get out alivo—which they do at the end cl thoir ponu orth, or whatever the price niay “Mho Whip” is ono of tho more popular rides. It consists of a largo oblong floor round tho edge of which 12 tub-like cars aro operated. At each end of the floor is a largo grooved disc on which run stoui endless cables. One of tbo discs is fitted with ruck gear and is i mated. Tho 12 cars arc attached to the. cable by stopl brackets so designed so as to allow tho curs to swing outwards at the corners, thereby greatly increasing tho speed. While on tlio straight only a moderate speed is maintained, but as soon the ends are reached u remarkable velocity- is reached on account of the greater radius and the, centrifugal force of the cars as they snap tho curve in one groat sweep. Next in order of importance is “Tho Morry Mix-Up.” This comprises a central structural steel tower supporting 12 anna with a chair hanging from each. Tho machine is made to revolve and tho passongers swing in .and out right merrily Ihoso who venture only to look in derive oven raoro fun from tho “Dodgem” errs than do tho passengers themselves. These little \ chicles aro liko tubs and arc built to seat two. Tho run on a steel floor, and the coding, a suspended one i s of electrically charged woven wire with which tho cars aro connected by their trolley poles The fun lies in Iho fact that they are extremely hard to steer and when a do/ea or so riders are occupying the floor together the result cun bo imagined. Gt course they aro built so (hat no damage can result through collisions (which occur frequently. Mho foregoing (including a “Fun or Joy lactory ) aro looked upon as tho outstanding amusement devices, and these, togethci with innumerable games, sideshows, etc., will go (o make what is claimed will be tho finest amusement zone south of tho line.’