EXHIBITION GOSSIP.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12683, 22 December 1906, Page 10

EXHIBITION GOSSIP.

"Caste" waa repeated last night in tho Exhibition Concert Hall by tho Caste Comedy Company and went well. There was a good attendance. The redoubtable Fijians suffered their first cricketing defeat yesterday at the hands of a combined Canadian and Australian team by throe wickets and eight runs. In their first inning 3, the Fijians made 82 (Mcliti 33 and Radike 14) and in their second 64 (Ratu Muerina 18, and Radike 16). The combined white organisation compiled 84 in its first venture (Moon 35, and McNiell 14) and 71 for the loss of 6even wickets in its second (McNiell 38, not out and Bourke 18). At the Maori Pa yesterday afternoon another exhibition of poi dancing was given by the girls from the Turakina College. There was a large attendance of spectators, who were much interested in the native dances. The girls who have been trained very carefully, gave performances of single and double poi dancing elaborated by various evolutions. The vocal crooning which accompanied the dances at the first exhibition was supplanted yesterday by the music from a mouth organ played by one -of the girls. The Cook Islanders assisted at the afternoon's entertainment, and repeated several of their now familiar songs and dances. Another performance of poi dancing waa given in the evening. In response to a generally expressed desire, it has been arranged that the girls from the Turakina Native School shall remain at the Exhibition Pa for another week, giving an exhibition of poi dancing each afternoon and evening as heit*toforc. One would imagine that such a notice woukl be superfluous, but nevertheless it lias Ikkhi found necessary to plaoe a sißnrboa-rd in « prominent position at the Exhibition Apiary, requesting viesitors not to interfere with the bees. It appears that, a few days ago, an inquisitive stranger lifted a lid off one of tho hives to ascertain what waa inside, and discovered the contents to ba of a particularly pointed and convincing character. Great preparations have been made at tho Maori pa for the festive season, judging by tlie numerous rows of shark nnd dogfish hinng out to dry and tho kite of muttonbird stored in the village pataka. Tho Hon. A. Wilmot. a •member of the Cape Legislative Council gave a Dunedin l-oporter some impressions of the Exhibition. Ho said it was a magnificent exposition. The fernery, he considered the best he had ever seen.