THE EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 8, 11 January 1899, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

The attendance at the Exhibition was again very good last evening. The ! living chess, tournament in the Choral Hall formed the special attraction, and the seating accommodation was taxed to the limit of its capacity at both performances given last evening. For this evening another of the popular displays by seamen arid marines from H.M.S. Tauranga and Royalist is promised. The display will be given on the sports ground, and will include cutlass drill bj r twenty-four seamen from H.M.S. Royalist; field gun drill and physical drill by seamen from H.M.S. Tauranga; manual and firing and bayonet drill by Royal marines from both warships; and an obstacle race, oi:>en to men-of-warsmen of both warships. The Garrison Band will be in attendance. The full prog-ramme for Miss Elsie. Hall's concert for to-morrow night is now advertised. The celebrated pianiste will interpret selections from the works of Beethoven, Liszt, Rubehstein, Raff, and Janotha. Mr John Prouse contributes songs by Schubert, Brahms, Gounod, and Korbay. EXHIBITION EXECUTIVE.

The Exhibition Executive met at the Exhibition last evening-, Mr B. Kent (president) in the chair.

Some discussion took place upon the advisability of altering the ]>resent system of taking money at the gates, a ■-'■sub-committee having recommended that tickets should be issued at boxes by the gates, and. that tickets only should be .received at the turnstyles. The majority of. those present, however, were opposed to the idea of making any change at this late stage of the season. It was pointed out that the cash received for the whole season was not more than £2 out when compared with the registers at the turn-, styles, and the takings for each day had also been always within a shilling or two of the register. The President said that as they had every, confidence in the g-atemen, he strongly deprecated any change being made, for this might cast an unwarranted reflection upon them. Eventually the recommendation of the sub-committee w ras defeated by nine votes to five*

The question of producing the oratorio 'Moses in Egypt.' was "brought forward by the President, who asked for the direction of the Executive as to whether this expense should be incurred or not.

'Mr G. S. Kissling said the public had been led to.expect, the performance of this oratorio, and he thought they should keep faith with the public. Mr M. A. Clark remarked that they should carry out the work if it were possible.

The President agreed that they must keep faith with the public if possible, and he moved 'That the performance of 'Moses in Egypt' be given, and that Professor Schmitt be requested to proceed with the rehearsals immediately.' The motion was seconded by Mr Kissling and was carried unanimously.

Mr E. Bell protested, against'the way in whichH;lie £6 voted towards entertaining the visiting volunteers had been expended. They had been taken a fishing excursion \on Sunday, and he protested that the irioney,,was hey» intended for desecrating the Sabbath. < He moved a resolution expressing regret that in the name >f the Executive the sanctity of the Sabbath had been violated by the employment of labour for the purpose Of entertaining the visiting members in the military tournament competition. Mr Fowlds seconded, stating that he did so as a protest against carryirig out the entertainment dn Sunday without consulting the Executive.

The President said that he agreed to a,certain extent with what Mr Bell said, but he did not think the Executive had anything to do with it. The money was voted for a harbour excursion to be tendered to the visitors,, and this was given on the only available ..day.:.; . - •

Mr Holmes (the Secretary) pointed out that the visitors were at the tournament up to 10 o'clock on Saturday night, and as they had to leave on Monday it was thought better to take them out on the harbour than' to leave them in their hotel all day. The excursion was not in the name of the Executive at all. The President said he would rather not put the motion, and Mr Bell having expressed his opinion, agreed to let the subject drop. ' • _~■ - . EXHIBITION MUSIC. It will be a matter of much satisfaction to the public generally, and to the season ticket-holders dn particular, that the •'. Exhibition Committee have arranged to give another grand concert at an early date. The difficulties which would be attendant upon the production of Rossini's *Moses in Egypt' are found to be almost insurmountable, for although the chorus members are fairly well acquainted With their work, it has hot been rehearsed at all by the orchestra. In addition to this, nine principals would •be required,, and sufficient time for their practice with the orchestra could not be arranged. It has now been decided that Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah' shall he given with Miss Lorrigan, Madame Dv Rieu, Messrs W. J. Cousins and -, Prduse as principals, full orchestra and chorus cf about 250, and the organ. -In order that a finished performance of this great work may be placed before the large audience which is anticipated, the hearty co-operation Of every individual member, of both chorus arid orchestra is invited; The date Of the concert is fixed for the 26th inst, :;