Sound clip: the Centennial Exhibition manager

An interview with the manager of the Centennial exhibition.

Transcript

'Good evening sir.'

'Good evening.'

'We are going to call on yourself once again Mr Hainsworth, to take us round the Exhibition, now that it is, I suppose, more than half-way finished.'

'Er yes, now where would you like to commence?'

'Well, right here will do Mr Hainsworth – this set of buildings on the right-hand side, what's that?'

'The building on the right is the Administrative Block.'

'Oh yes.'

'On the left, a corresponding block is set apart for general services, such as police, ambulance, fire brigade, customs, et cetera et cetera. Those are the two at the main entrance to Kingsford Smith Street, one on each side.'

'Yes, and that building on the left?'

'The building on the left is the one that is now being constructed for the British Government.'

'Oh yes.'

'The total area of that building is approximately 23,000 square feet in extent.'

'23,000 square feet! ...I'll just say that slowly listeners, 23,000 square feet. It looks as if it is going to be made in steel?'

'The structure is steel principally, the framework is steel'

'And the one on the right is...'

'The one on the right is set apart for the Australian Government, and they're erecting a building one portion of which will be two storeys in height.'

'Oh yes.'

'And, er, both of them, quite distinctive in design, but approximately the same area, 23,000 square feet.'

'From where we stand, listeners, at the entrance, just inside the gates, two roadways make a sweep to the left and to the right, forming a semi-circle, to meet again further up the avenue to make a complete circle, is that right?'

'That's right, yes.'

'And those buildings you've been describing are not yet finished. They are respectively, as you heard Mr Hainsworth say, the British Government Court, and the Australian Court. Now from here the design of the Exhibition is pretty well apparent, and it should be particularly attractive to every visitor, don't you think so Mr...'

'Oh yes, it should from every point of view. The general layout has been designed to ensure that there is no waste space anywhere, and that the large crowds that are expected will be able to move about quite freely.'

'Oh yes. Well how do you consider that the design of the main buildings and the general standard compare with other exhibitions with which you've been associated?'

'Well I...this I might say, is my 51st exhibition...'

'51st!'

'Which is a fairly long record. I would consider that the layout on this occasion is a most attractive one, and yet very practicable from every point of view.'

'Yes.'

'The buildings are modernistic in character, but not too extravagant in that respect.'

'No.'

'The greatest credit is reflected on the architect for the Exhibition, Mr Edmund Anscombe and his associates, in this respect.'

'Oh yes. At this stage listeners I'd like to explain, to those of you who are not familiar with the layout of the Exhibition, that the buildings enclose a regular cross, formed by the main avenue and the space from one band shell to another, running directly north and south, for about 300 yards. The centre cross is formed by two-thirds of the main avenue, and the other avenue running north and south, either end of which is a band shell.'