BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1940, Page 3

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

THOUSANDS CLIMB TOWER AT EXHIBITION. Since opening day, about seven weeks ago, more than 20,000 people have climbed the tower at the Centennial Exhibition to get a bird's eye view of the buildings and grounds far below them. On December 28, when more than 30000 people visited the Exhibition, the figures showed that 8 per cent of them went up the tower. For 2,400 people to climb the 155-foot tower in one day is considered sufficient proof by the Exhibition authorities that the view is worth the climb. At the top of the tower is a visitors’ book, which may be signed free-of charge by all who make the ascent, and in it is a column for comment. Withcut exception, the thousands of remarks all indicate that the view at the top is certainly worth the effort. An additional feature at the top of the tower is a special post-box and a stamp-vending machine so that Exhibition visitors may post their mail high in the air and have it specially postmarked by the Centennial Exhibition Post Office. The post-mark indicates that the letter was posted at the top of the towel", and has on its rubber stamp a picture of the tower and the words, “New Zealand Centennial Exhibition.” At the top of the tower an excellent understanding of the lay-out of the Exhibition is obtained, and, apart from that, the view of the surrounding coast and shore is well worth seeing. Beyond the Exhibition, one can see New Zealand's air transport machines arriving and departing at Rongotai aerodrome, and to the right is the sweep of Lyall Bay and the blue beauty of Cook Strait. On clear days an excellent view of the South Island may be seen and to the north stretches Wellington harbour, Pctone and the Hutt Valley.

In a period of six hours on December 28. it was shown from the sale of tickets that one person went up the tower every 14 seconds.