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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 7 (December 15, 1926)

Palmerston North Show — 2nd to 4th November — Railway Enterprise and Publicity

page 52

Palmerston North Show
2nd to 4th November
Railway Enterprise and Publicity

The big slip in the Manawatu Gorge looked, at one time, as if it would effectively spoil the Spring Show of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association at Palmerston North, for it is well known that much of the best stock usually exhibited at the Show comes from the runs of the principal breeders in Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa and it was through the Gorge that this stock would have to be railed under normal circumstances. Fortunately for the Show and those exhibitors in the districts named who had made all preparations for attending the Show the Department decided that it would convey all the Show exhibits offering through the Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa areas to Palmerston North, via Wellington instead of via the Gorge, and would do this without imposing any extra charge for the additional service. Even then, some trepidation was felt by breeders regarding the advisability of trusting their animals to the railway for the unusually long and arduous journey which conveyance over the Rimutaka incline, round through Wellington, and thence by the Manawatu Line to Palmerston North would entail. The bulk of them, however, undertook the risk, and were well satisfied with the excellence of the service given. This fact has been emphasised to the Department both verbally and by letter. So pleased were some of the principal exhibitors that, although they had the chance of making a much shorter journey home by driving their stock a few miles along the road route through the Gorge, they preferred to again trust the railway for the full round journey via Wellington and the Rimutaka.

Railway and Publicity Departments' Display.

A feature of the Show was the fine display which the Railway and Publicity Departments, working in combination, were able to make in the Industrial Hall. This was done as part of the policy intended to induce additional traffic by extended publicity. The exhibit was a most striking one. Along a 90 ft. stretch of wall on a cream coloured background were arranged series of photographs illustrating the beauty and magnificence of New Zealand scenery.

Each one of these pictures was a tempting invitation to those who might be undecided as to how to dispose of their summer holidays, whilst the aggregate effect was to create in the beholder an irresistible desire to board a train and be off to one or other of these charming spots where nature in her gladdest of guises beckons most alluringly. Daintily coloured placards, interspersed amongst the pictures, bore sporting slogans to interest the traveller, with information as to localities and costs. In order that no one should be deterred by any haziness of geographical knowledge or uncertainty regarding routes, the centre of the exhibit—and the feature which drew the attention of all—was an S ft. blood-red circle, across the face of which a map of New Zealand stood out in white, while round the circle ran the most realistic of nonstop expresses. The map was specially prepared to feature tourist resorts in New Zealand which are served by train. At each side appeared pictures of the principal centres of attraction with cords leading in from each picture to the locality indicated on the map. A further aid to the attractiveness of the display was lent by a fine series of framed photographs illustrating features of railway working in New Zealand. The whole design and layout gave an impression of spaciousness and artistie unity very pleasing to the visitor, and ranks as an achievement fully worthy of the important Departments whose work and capabilities it was intended to illustrate.

Opportunity was taken of the chance which the Show afforded for circulating literature bearing on the principal points of interest in the Dominion; for instance, several thousand copies of the Department's latest booklet “Tours of the Southern Lakes” were distributed in this way. Commenting on the display the Wellington “Evening Post” has the following:—

“In recent years there has been a tendency on the part of the Government Departments, particularly the Railway Department, to enter the advertising field, for in an age of competition it is essential to keep in close touch with the public. In combining with the Publicity Department, the Railway Department has been able to present a most attractive display, one which should result in a strong appeal to the imagination. Fine photographs of the scenic resorts of the Dominion are displayed, the whole making a very fine showing and offering a strong inducement to tourists.”

The Railway Advertising Branch.

The Advertising Branch had a separate stall on which some of the latest ideas in artistic poster work were featured. Besides being held by the general attractiveness and originality of the designs, much interest was taken by the public in pictorial representations of the improvements effected by the Advertising Branch in the appearance of certain localities.

page 53
At Palmerston North Show Exhibit by Railway and Publicity Departments General View Railway Tourist Guide: The Non-stop Express

At Palmerston North Show
Exhibit by Railway and Publicity Departments
General View
Railway Tourist Guide: The Non-stop Express

Railway Tourist Guide: The Non-stop Express

Railway Tourist Guide: The Non-stop Express