OPENING NEXT WEEK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 November 1939, Page 3

OPENING NEXT WEEK

CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION CULMINATION OF MANY YEARS’ WORK. On Wednesday of next week the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition will be opened officially by the Gover-nor-General, Lord Galway. Opening day will be the culmination of years of work that has grown in intensity, to the final drive to get buildings, grounds and exhibits complete for November 8. The Government representation is particularly fine with twenty-six departments of State appearing in a vast court with a floor area of 100.000 square feet; the Provinces of New Zealand have pooled their resources and. as a result, the Dominion Court —the largest diorama ever built —is fitting testimony to provincial support; and the United Kingdom! Australia, Canada. Fiji and Tasmania have all representation as overseas exhibitors. These displays vary from the vast pavilions erected by the United Kingdom and Australia to the indoor displays by Tasmania. Fiji and Canada. The women of New Zealand have excellent representation tdso in the Women’s Section in the tower block of the Exhibition, where every phase ot women’s activities in the Dominion are graphically presented, and the part that the pioneer women played in the founding of New Zealand is shown extensively. These exhibits, which form a unique and wonderful exhibition in themselves, are but part of the Exhibition as a whole; the rest of the Exhibition is filled by private exhibitors. The floor area covered by individual firms and organisations totals more than 200,000 square feet.

“Considering the difficulties which exhibitors have had to face in the present crisis, their presence at the Exhibition is indeed praise-worthy," said Mr T. C. A. Hislop, chairman of directors of the exhibition company. He stated that there were more than 300 private exhibits in the New Zealand Manufactiming Industries Court, the General Exhibits Court and the Electrical and Engineering Court; they were all particularly fine displays of modern design and stocked with an extensive range of products, machinery and goods —all reflecting the wonderful achievements of contemporary production in New Zealand and overseas.

“In spile of the uncertainty engendered by the war. acute financial problems and many other adverse conditions. these private exhibitors have succeeded in making a composite display liner than any ever held in Now Zealand. This is appropriate in view of (tie historical nature of the Exhibition. but it lias only been possible by reason of the determination and loyalty of New Zealand firms who have appreciated their duty to make the Centennial Exhibition the great success it undoubtedly will be." said Ml- Hislop. Within the vast exhibit halls today, there is a steady roar of activity as more than one thousand workmen ';>• about their multitudinous tasks in the final push Io have the Exhibition complete in every detail for opening. Exhibit stands are springing up with remarkable rapidity, many thousands of pounds worth of goods are arrivingdaily for installation in the various exhibit stalls, and. with opening date six days distant, the completion of exhibits. buildings and grounds is well in sight.

The details for the opening ceremony are completed and have been approved air’ v ' ?at organisation, which has 1 r WE '(lst,