First Industries Fair Was Unqualified Success

Gisborne's first Industries Fair, staged by the Jaycees last month, was an unqualified success. It won the patronage and praise of over 23,000 people who attended, and closed "in the black", with a small profit margin to repay the promoters for the enormous amount of work involved.

The organisational ability which the Gisborne Jaycees have shown in a number of smaller projects in recent years was fully tested by this major effort, but they came through with flying colours, in spite of some setbacks. Exceptionally wet weather spoiled the opening days, the larger of two marquees was almost wrecked by a storm, and the show's compere from Auckland had to go to hospital instead of coming to Gisborne. But these disappointments were overcome, and were not allowed to mar the eventual success of the fair, a good deal of which was due to the interesting and informative displays staged by the business firms participating.

The illuminated sign in Awapuni Road

The Crescendoes giving an item on the Fair stage. Note television camera left of centre, and television screen at far right.

Mr B. E. Talboys, under-secretary of Industries and Commerce, opening the fair. On stage with him, left to right, are the fair commentator, Mr M. Baker, the chairman of the Fair Committee, Mr G. Herkt; the Mayor, Mr H. H. Barker; the president of Gisborne Jaycees, Mr H. Piesse; Mrs Piesse; and the Member for the District, Mrs Esme Tombleson.

Mr Talboys on television

Front row, Public Relations Officer Mr David Clarke, fair committee members George Lees, Keith Mullooly, and Michael Brittenden. Second row: Councillors W. B. Turbitt, M. Lynch, B. Wolstenholme, J. T. Hill, S. T. Moss. Third row: Councillors J. B. Williams, R. Macdonald, and R. Crosby.