WINTER EXHIBITION OPENS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 705, 3 July 1929, Page 1

WINTER EXHIBITION OPENS

Display of Auckland’s Wealth INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE

need for town and country getting together has long been stressed by New Zealand’s political and industrial leaders, but no better means to this end has been provided than by Auckland’s 1929 Winter Exhibition which was opened at Central Wharf today by the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B. Donald. In this crowded showroom is assembled 1 lie wealth of the vast Auckland Province, both agricultural and industrial, products that give striking testimony not only of the enormous potentialities of the district, but the dependence of town and country on each other. The weather was gloriously fine, bright sunshine prevailing to take the edge off a keen but exhilarating winter’s day. Although the attendance is never very large on the opening day it was well up to the average of former years, and a crowd of satisfactory proportions spent an enjoyable afternoon in examining at its leisure the wealth of variety offering.

The gates o£ the exhibition were opened at 1.30, and at two o’clock the lion. J- B. Donald, Postmaster-General, aj representative of the Government, declared the exhibition open. Mr. Donald was met by the exhibition president, Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell, and the vice-president, Mr. G. Finn. “The whole exhibition reflects the -reatest credit on both the exhibitors llnd the officials,” said Mr. Donald, in declaring the exhibition open. After apologising for the absence of the Prime Minister, Mr. Donald went on to say that the exhibition was the practical result of the brilliant idea which caused the A. and P. Association and the Manufacturers’ Association to join forces for their mutual benefit. He congratulated the presidents. Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell and Mr. G. Finn, on the happy solution of what once appeared to be a grave difficulty. , . . , 'The exhibition is an object lesson showing the extent to which the primary and secondary industries are dependent upon one another,” he said. ■The old idea that one industry could thrive only at the expense of the other is being broken down. "The epiendid display of New Zealand-made poods of all descriptions demonstrates very clearly the hiah standard reached both in goods for export and goods for home use. This display should do much to encourage the use of domestic products, increase the output of domestic industries, and ao promote the general prosperity.”

INDUSTRY’S PROGRESS Referring to the primary industries, Mr. Donald said that the season just dosing had been one of the best yet experienced in the Dominion. In the dairy industry a new peak in butterfat output was assured. For the ten months ended May 31, 1929, 79.63 S tons of butter were graded, as compared with 72,419 tons for the corresponding period of the previous year, and 84,064 tons of cheese, as compared with 73,485 tons. In terms of butterfat the increase amounted to no less than 11.36 per cent. The grading 3at Auckland showed an increase of 13. *7 per cent, in butter, and 21.14 per cent, in cheese. Prices of dairy produce tad on the whole been on a iiigher level than last year.

“The average yield a cow in New Zealand showed a steady improvement. Ten years ago it was estimated at 1511 b of butter-fat. Last year it had increased to 201 !b, and a higher figure for the present season was expected. “This increase in average yield was largely due to herd testing, which was commenced in New Zealand in 1909. Last year the number tested was 224,130, or 16J per cent, of the total number of dairy cows.’* The Minister then made reference to wool production, and the fruit industry, which, he said, had made satisfactory progress during recent Tears. The fruit export trade had benefited through the Government guarantee of one penny a pound nett return to the grower. After referring in complimentary terms to the valuable educational *ork being done by officers of the Agricultural Department, Mr. Donald said that all the State Departments were alive to the Deed of encouraging people to live on the iand, and of assisting them in efforts to increase its productiveness. After wishing the exhibition officials a successful season, the Minister then declared the exhibition officially open. RICH VARIETY

Entering through the richly designed brick gates that for the following ten days will provide an imDosing entrance to the Winter Show, yisitors immediately find themselves iD the heart of a rather bewildering display. The first problem is where 59 start first, but it is quickly solved. 1 show is well laid out and a very j informative plan of the exhibition * contained in the catalogue proves an • excellent guide. Immediately inside the gates is a spacious forecourt lined on either side by tastefully arranged shrubs. At the far end is the central hall and to the right and left respectively sheds 8 a nd 11. All courts have been laid °Jt with a view to the convenience °* visitors and the show can be Viewed with comfort and at leisure. On either hand the resources of the country and city are strongly emphasised. A fragrant aroma immediately attracts attention to a fine showing Of cheese and butter, the Judging of which was concluded in the ■horning prior to the opening of the Whibition. The value to the proves and also to the Dominion of the stoat dairying industry of the North !® strikingly emphasised. Not only 111 quality but also in the general gethD of the commodities a high standard

is set, showing that the value in overseas markets of the well-displayed article is properly appreciated by the dairymen of Auckland Province. The citrus fruit growers have also realised the advertising value of the Winter Show and this year they are ! well to the fore with a splendid exhibit of lemons, oranges and grape fruit. Grape fruit is being served for a small price at the stall, the growers utilising every means possible in the way of attention and display to encourage the use of New Zealand citrus fruits, products which are steadily increasing in competition with imported fruits on the New Zealand market. The Department of Agriculture is also a big exhibitor. Its stand covers a wide range of agricultural and pastoral activity. Tobacco growing is also included, a very fine exhibit of various kinds of leaves attracting attention to another industry that holds out good prospects for the agriculturist. Domestic, dressmaking and millinery classes constitute a large and very interesting section. At the evening sessions this will prove a well patronised section. It is crowded with article* both ornamental and useful, while a most appetising and interesting display is presented in the cooking classes. No better indication of the desire of New Zealand manufacturers to provide their customers in town and country with high quality articles is to be seen than in the manufacturing and retail sections of the exhibition. The displays cover a very wide range from motor-cars, machinery for all purposes either for farm or factory, building requirements, cooking appliances, domestic supplies, musical instruments and wearing apparel. Gramophones and pianos play almost continuously on many stands, adding their own quota to the fuu of the fair. SCHOOLS DISPLAY A well varied and very interesting section is that devoted to the schools of the province. Headed by the Seddon Memorial College and Auckland Grammar School, and including exhibits from many of the primary schools, the section reflects the high standard of instruction given. Technical, artistic and general school work take up considerable space, and £ very enjoyable hour or so can profit- ! ably be spent around the numerous exhibits. .... . The convenience of visitors to the exhibition is well catered for in every respect. Apart from the various exhibits that supply light refreshments as an advertising medium, a wellequipped tearoom is also provided. From 7.30 p.m. a picture programme is provided free every evening, and programmes will also be provided in the forecourt each evening by the Pousonby Boys’ Brass Band. Under the direction of the president, Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell, president of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and vice-president, Mr. G. Finn, president of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association, a strong and energetic committee has planned and worked w'ell for the success of the exhibition. Judging by the results already achieved a highly successful season should result. Mr. W. F. O’Donnell and Mr. J. Finlay, secretaries of the Auckland A. and P. Association and the Aucki land Manufacturers’ Association, rej spectively, are the joint managers, I and their organising ability is : reflected in the smoothly running proj gramme which ensured the very suc- ! cessful opening this afternoon. DISTRICT COURTS INTERESTING DISPLAYS The district courts were the greatest attractions of the exhibition. Around them thronged crowds, surprised at the fertility and productivity of the southern portions of the province. The Te Kuiti court, arrayed in yellow and green, came in for favourable commendation, every phase of the district’s' wealth being displayed to the greatest advantage. Souvenirs and reminders of Te Kuiti s position in the King Country were rare Maori mats, which adorned the walls of the court. , ... Root crops of every description created a blaze of colour against a tasteful background. Vegetables of incredible size made the Auckland amateur gardener halt and sigh enviously. Flitches of bacon and rolls of meat showed the district to be well in the foreground so far as the raising of livestock was concerned. hish from far-off Kawhia were arrayed temptingly on stands in the for ® ground. On the walls fierce “tuskers glowered down, certifying to the excellence of the sport which attracts

CHOCOLATE ALLEY

so many New Zealand sportsmen. Great yellow cheeses and deliciouslooking butter tempted the palate, while in the very foreground local carvings and curios were displayed. Te Kuiti bricks and limestone were also prominent in the court’s exhibits. The King Country was the subject of complimentary references by the crowds of people who were attracted to the excellent display. Just across the way Franklin district displayed its resources in a roomy and excellently-dressed court. Stacked on rising shelves from the foreground to the back of the court bottles and jars of luscious preserves were heaped up to flaunt their tempting beauty against a background of black and white. Franklin pickles and Bauces kept the housewives of the city keenly interested. Root crops were piled up all over the floor and samples of the fruits that grow south of Auckland were arrayed temptingly on shelves. Meats of all descriptions were placed in vantage positions and wild fowl of delicious plumpness were on view. Green, red, yellow, brown and all the colours in between, struggled for supremacy in a riot of colours of j nature and an enthusiastic crowd flocked round the court all the afternoon. Neat booklets telling of the possibilities of Franklin were distributed free to those who required them and the exhibition should produce several new settlers for a district that can prove itself second to none in the Dominion for fertility.

FUN OF THE FAIR Down in “Chocolate Alley’’ all was bustle and noise. Raucous-voiced showmen, displaying all their wonders hoarsely requested the public to "roll up” or forever miss the chance of seeing the most wonderful and unique show in the world. Roundabouts, with realistic-looking "bronchos,” and enveloped in an atmosphere of stirring music, carried troops of excited and chattering children on endless journey*?. For the mechanically-minded or more luxur-iously-inclined children a motor-car roundabout was in action to conduct hosts of young Major Segraves on thrilling speed trials. Popular “Aunt Sally” shows, which have stood the test of Father Time, were as enthusiastically received as ever, and the youth of the community tried their luck at knocking down the elusive blocks in the gaping jaws of the “Sallies.” Crowds gathered round the “hoop-las,” where all conditions of tempting and valuable prizes were offered to the skilful —or lucky. Fortunate winners walked round carrying big boxes of chocolates or munching the results of their efforts. Always a winner, the dart game was in the forefront and the booths were hidden by crowds of aspirants for prizes. Sandow, the trick pony, who was advertised to do everything but talk, was a draw. The pony was claimed by his owner to be the most wonderful pony ever, with human intelligence, “though that’s a bit rough on the pony,” he said. Men and women, girls and boys, in and out of “Chocolate Alley” they flocked all afternoon, in pursuit of pleasure, and everything went with a swing. Noise and clatter, dust and jostling, were the order of the day. But everyone was in high good humour. The holiday virus was in the blood, for after all, was it not the Auckland Winter Exhibition when a good time is the greatest thing?