NATIONAL LIFE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20907, 12 September 1939, Page 10

NATIONAL LIFE

EXHIBITION PICTURE MANY DETAILS NOW APPEAR FRAMEWORK OF HUGE GLOBE Until recently the Exhibition was not in the stage that gave an adequate idea of its appeal. It was rather the rough charcoal sketch, awaiting the artist’s details, but it is different today. Additions to stands, new exhibits, and added daily detail to attractions that will be of absorbing interest confirm the conviction of the visitor that this will be an Exhibition in a class of its own as regards the completeness of its presentation of the national life and the country’s assets. In the grounds facings of the pylons and buildings are being picked out in scarlet paint, emphasising the harmonious lines of the great buildings and brightening up the general effect. The creche and kindergarten are in a ■handy position to the Tirangi Road entrance, which will be the most used as it is the Exhibition terminus of the city trams. Government Court The Government Court daily shows fresh features. The Tourist Department’s stand, signified by a palette, will cover 1130 square feet. The various fittings are in flowing lines, and the whole will give an artistic effect. It will be divided into eight sections, dealing with the past, present, and future. The central attraction shows the Department's activities in New Zealand and its overseas organisation. There is a central dome in the ceiling, with diffused lighting, which lighting is carried out throughout the exhibit. Tourist traffic from 1901 to 1940 is shown in an ingenious barometer. There are many beautifully painted panels that will take their place in the scheme before opening day. The fine Railways exhibit is well on the way, and the working railway track is going in, with some of the outstanding viaducts and tunnels in position. The contour of New Zealand Is shown in effective form as a basis for the travelling railway, the engine of which Is a perfect model. Even the padlock on the tiny tool box has its key and opens. In this exhibit will be seen a complete exposition of the automatic signalling system in use on the railways; in fact, all the Department’s activities. Building Big Globe Tovfards the western end of the Government Court some very fine work is in progress in the Education and Health Departments’ stands. The huge globe presented a problem. Many alternatives were tried. One of the chief difficulties was the matter of weight, which precluded the employment of plaster or even thin iron sheathing. The framework itsSlf was a matter of some ingenuity. It was eventually made of semi-circular arcs of inchthick wood, secured in a position much like that which the longitude lines on the globe will occupy. These were covered with many laths, placed close together, paralleling what will be the line of latitude on the map. The whole is now nearly covered with wallboard in segments. The result is a total weight of under five tons. It will rotate on a steel spindle placed at an angle of 15 degrees. The Education Department has an extensive court to itself, and it will have a most interesting collection of exhibits. It is so arranged that people may walk about and study the information for themselves. Near the Education Department’s stand is that of the Health Department, which will be motivated, and will contain very fine models of all the clinics and hospitals which give the country its extensive health service. Canadian Pavilion In the Transport Court, where the Canadian Pavilion will stand, there are already many huge cases from Canada. The Canadian Commissioner Is due to arrive In Wellington soon, when the sister Dominion’s large and educative exhibit will’ begin to take shape. The design of the pavilions in the motor section of this court differs from that of any other. Judging by pylons and walls already up, these stands -will be impressive. With plenty of headroom', they are taller than those going up in other courts. There is a good deal to be done In the Dominion Court but it is well ahead as far as time goes. Most of the work remaining is df a detail nature. It is the sort of thing that will most appeal to visitors' The grander features of the national scenery are confplete as regards contours, and it is only now that the finer work of clothing hillsides and depicting farm life, putting •detail into gorges and bridges, and completing the track for the tiny rail- 1 way that, will run throughout the court is in hand, that the effect, of the big picture of New Zealand in being can be realised. Torrents cream down forested hillsides, only a few feet, away, but deceptively distant looking. The way in which the character of the forests changes with the altitudes is one of the triumphs of the architect, Mr Muston. Study of Farm Life Lifelike as is the presenlation of the rugged part of New Zealand, infinite interest and pleasure will be found in the study of the delineation of farm and station life, the buildings, fences, trees, and teams at work all being in proportion to the general picture. Ferns are being placed in pools at the foot of waterfalls, and the models of the large cities have been commenced. The furniture for the Centennial Hotel is being made in the General Exhibits Court, the number of wardrobes, beds, chairs, etc... showing the extent of the accommodation in this building.