SITE CHOSEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26637, 6 December 1947, Page 6

SITE CHOSEN

FIREWORKS. DISPLAY HANCOCK PARK TO BE USED NATURAL GRANDSTAND The opinion expressed some months ago that Hancock Park, St. Kilda, would" be an admirable site for the centennial pyrotechnic display, was borne out yesterday when Mr C. D. Brock, the organiser of the display, inspected the area and pronounced it eminently suitable for the purpose. The need for levelling an area 600 feet by 300 feet for the firing site is unnecessary because of the level nature of the ground, there is accommodation for thousands of people on the fairways of the Ocean Beach golf

links and thousands more will be able to view the display from the natural grandstand provided by the adjacent sandhills. Some idea of the magnitude of the undertaking can be' formed from the fact that it will be necessary to erect poles 40 feet in height for the set pieces which will be the features of "the display. In addition a hut measuring 40 feet by 30 feet will he for the preparation of the pyrotechnics. It has not yet been decided whether this will have to be specially built or whether accommodation will be available elsewhere. The Domain Board has granted permission for the use of the area subject to the making of arrangements with the golf club for the temporary closing of two of the holes on the course. It is expected that this will involve no difficulty as it will not be necessary for the holes to be closed for more than a few days.' The site has been decided upon, the explosives, detonating devices and mortars are stored in the Defence Department’s magazine at St. Clair, the technicians who will start the preparatory work are due in New Zealand shortly and the interest of the public is at a high level, and the plans for one of the most spectacular presentations of the centennial year may now be regarded as well on the way. Hancock Park will, without a doubt, be invaded by the largest crowd in its history on-February 28.