DISTRICT COURTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1020, 10 July 1930, Page 26

DISTRICT COURTS

WHANGAREI AND TE KUITI ONLY COMPETITORS The amazing fertility and natural wealth of two of Auckland’s districts is displayed in the Te Kuiti and Whangarei courts; both are features of the exhibition and in all their splendour stand as symbols of great achievement. These are the only two in the district court competition for Kempthorne, Prosser and Company's 20-guinea shield. Franklin, the holder, is not meeting its challengers. TN the central hall, touched with spectacular surroundings, are found the two courts. One can glean from the Whangarei court a true impression of that Northern district, where everything grows in abundance, while in the Te Kuiti court, no less attractive, with its liberal showing, indicates the effect of a colder climate. On tho walls of the court are displayed scenes of the district. There are pictures of Maori life and trophies of the chase and examples of the great deep-sea fish which has made the North the raecca of all fish-ing-grounds. Placed here and there are silvery fleeces and a grand assortment of skins. Still more interesting is the collection of polished woods from the Northern forests. In one corner is a stock of wines and natural mineral waters, which has as a background, a grand array of fruits. There are some wonderful carved specimens to be found in the kauri gum exhibit, while the display of minerals shows samples of cinnabar, mercury, coal, iron ore and glass sand. In another corner there is an abundance of vegetables of far too many types to enumerate, but this subtropical northern area appears to grow everything. There is one huge pumpkin weighing 1061 b, with a girth of about five feet. There is indeed a different touch about the Te Kuiti Court, although there is all that order and neatness of the other stand. The design is worked out iri blue and gold, while dotted here and there, lending a blaze of natural 1 beauty are palms, ferns and hanging baskets of New Zealand’s native flora. The ground effect is of pure white, brilliantly lighted from above, while in the centre, framed by the entrance arch, is a rockery of limestone. There is perhaps more of that wonderland achievement about this stall. There are tho massive views of the Waitomo Caves and other tourist attractions of the district, while arranged around the walls are stags’ and boars’ heads and a varied collection of Maori mats and skins. Dining the shelves one may see there all that indicates a great quality and variety in smallei root crops, while the larger specimens in front put a neat finish to a great collection. The beauty of New Zealand woods is indicated by the polished specimens of timber from the King Country, while dairy produce is well represented on a stand where, arranged in terraces built round the walls, are boxes of butter and large cheeses. This is a special cause of interest, because Te Kuiti has scored well for general appearance in recent years.