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Official Guide to the Government Court: N.Z. Centennial Exhibition
Tourist & Publicity Department
Tourist & Publicity Department
The Tourist and Publicity Department's Court at the Centennial Exhibition occupies a floor space of approximately 1150 square feet. It features the activities of the Department in New Zealand and overseas, the display being prepared on modernistic lines, both as regards artistry and design. Divided into eight sections, it provides a comprehensive review of the trend of the Dominion's tourist business, past, present and future.
Special attention has been devoted to each of these sections in order that the story of the Department's activities be clearly portrayed, the new display technique employed, which involves the use of a variety of moving exhibits, proving invaluable in this connection.
The centre of the exhibit is devoted to the New Zealand end of the organisation, and also to its work overseas. An ingenious automatic map locates the position of each of the Department's agents throughout the world, their activities being displayed on an adjoining panel, which also marks the location of the main attractions and holiday resorts of the Dominion.
The photographic work of the Department, which includes still photography in its various branches from the scenic whole-plate to enlargements of practically any size, is exhibited in striking fashion in Section No. 1. This section also deals with the film work performed, and sets out photographically in most illuminating fashion the actual making of a "sound" film. A scale model of the Department's film and photographic studios at Miramar is also on view in this section.
A unique means has been adopted in order to display the growth of the tourist business in New Zealand from the year 1901 onward. This takes the form of an animated barometer, lighted in a novel manner. Adjoining this exhibit is a display of an interesting method of advertising New Zealand scenery. This unit, which is mechanically operated, provides a most unusual and beautiful effect, with an impression of drifting clouds, rippling waters, and colourful sunsets.
Another interesting exhibit takes the form of a translucent screen upon which dissolving scenes melt one into the other. Diagrams are used to show the form of advertising carried out overseas, a constantly-changing series of pictures portraying the main features. In this section, also, appear samples of the counter display-units showcards, etc., prepared at the Department's studios.
The popular Chateau in the great Tongariro National Park forms the theme of a display carried out by a beautifully-painted panel. This also carries two suggestions for the hotels of the future which are to be planned to meet an increasing Tourist traffic. One of these buildings has been modelled in third-dimensional style backed by an artistic colour setting.
Specially-designed posters advertising the Department's service to the traveller, and displaying something of the beauty of New Zealand scenery have a prominent place. In addition, a large photographic poster placed in front of the Court page 32 provides some idea of the quality of the work performed by the Government Studios at Miramar.
One of the most outstanding exhibits in the Court is a moving display showing a modernistic figure in uniform pointing to a panel on which appears the slogan "The Service We Give." The hands of a clock flying round the dial emphasise the saving of time effected through booking with the Department's Travel Service. Realistically rolling waves, through which a liner makes her way, assist in further animating this attractive display, the whole being finished off in a smart colour scheme. This display may be regarded as typical of similar moving exhibits being sent overseas at the present time.
The principal medium used throughout the entire Court consists of sprayed' lacquer work finished with chromium moulding and glass, the whole space being illuminated by concealed Neon lights providing a soft and attractive colour scheme.