BEHIND THE SCENES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26631, 29 November 1947, Page 6

BEHIND THE SCENES

CENTENNIAL PLANNING WORK WELL ADVANCED ENERGY AND INITIATIVE Behind the scenes, and virtually unknown to the public, some of the important details which will contribute towards the success of the centennial year are being attended to by a portion of the staffs of some of the city’s prominent business firms. In some cases the services are being given voluntarily and at the expense of the employers, and in others the preparation processes are being facilitated to the greatest extent that labour conditions and more important commitments will allow. A visit to several workshops and yards where work is going on was made by a Daily Times reporter yesterday and, in each case, there .was ample evidence of industry and initiative being applied to what might be called the “ centennial effort.” The manufacture of the floats which will take part in the Cavalcade of Progress, for instance, calls for considerable enterprise on the part of the workmen. They are provided with a sketch plan of what is required and little else, yet from the scanty material available some remarkably ingenious and realistic displays are being evolved. Mounting of Floats In order to ensure the correct mounting of the floats on the lorries which will carry them, the actual truck which will be in commission on the day of the cavalcade is taken to the yard and “ personally fitted.” In almost every case the floats have been so designed that the cab of -the conveying vehicle will be adequately camouflaged without impairing the vision of the driver. One of the most realistic-looking floats seen yesterday was a model of a Spitfire, so mounted as to appear to be in flight over a typical landscape. This will be one of the Returned Services Association’s exhibits in the cayalcade. A huge model of a shoe and a' scroll-like framework for a ’ floral float were also in the course of construction, the materials in use being pinus insignis and scrap timber unsuitable for housing construction. At another contractor's yard a pile of poles received from the Reserves Department’s plantations was lying waiting to be squared and trimmed. These poles will be used to carry banners, and will be erected along the main streets of the city. At still another place squared and tapered poles were being prepared for painting and the application of finishing touches m the shape of crossbars, which will he approximately 18 feet from the ground, and the attaching of finials at the top. All told there will be 350 of these banner-draped poles erected. Extra Wiring Workmen of the Electricity Department are also playing their / part in the preparatory work. Extra wiring is being installed along Princes and George streets for the decorative lighting, . which will help to bring a note of gaiety into the appearance of city streets next year, and the festoons of coloured lights are also being prepared. The periodic painting of lamp brackets has been so timed that these, too, will be in good order for next year, and men are working; on the touching-up process now. About 70 per cent, of the large quantities of bunting being made is now ready, and the remainder is expected to be on hand in good time for the erection of the decorations in a few weeks’ time. Private firms, too, report that arrangements are well in hand for the brightening up of their buildings, and there is tangible . evidence of this in the number of painters and decorators at work on city premises. • Dunedin will, it is certain, present a bright and smiling face to its numerous visitors next year.