THE EXHIBITION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1134, 23 May 1911, Page 6

THE EXHIBITION.

TO BE OPENED TO-MORROW,

From a casual glance round the Coronation Exhibition one cannot reasonab y say that it will bo anything like ready for tho opening to-morrow, lhcre never has been an Exhibition quite ready on Hie opening day* -Though tho uoik has been undertaken with great vigour and enthusiasm, exhibitors begin to realise a few days before the doors aro opened that they are all behind, and the ell'ort to get somewhere near the mark is being heroically made, and to-day and to-morrow morning will see a big change of scene at the big buildings in Waterloo Quaj. Yesterday tho place rang with the clatter of workmen and stall assistants, slaving with moist brows to beat, the clock. Manv of (hem, it, is safe, to conclude, will accomplish the feat, but there are others who will require another day or two to put the finishing touches on Incr exhibits Praise is due to the ladies sub-com-mittee who have, in baud the arrangement of (lie Home Industries Section (in tho gallery of "U" store). Their work is almost completed, and it does both them and tho exhibitors credit. I lis Arts Committee has done good-work. Messrs. 11. S. Wardell and 11. Lmley Richardson have made a splendid show ot tho material fit their disposal, nnu maip will thoroughly enjoy an hour spent in the \rt Gallerv, which is located in'the "nUory of ".J" store (tho entrance to which is bv stairway next to the Coronation Theatre). Amoner the many paintings are several from tho brush of tho late .1. M. Nairn, with whose work it is a pleasure to renew acquaintance. Another featuro of interest is a caso of art treasures lent by Mr. Robert Lee, of the Lower Hutt. . Bowls were in progress during tho afternoon at the Stadium, where green scrim has been laid as n substitute for the genujne green. Messrs. J. P.Luke, M.P., Charles I'arata, and other local bowlers tested tho new idea, and found it a very fair substitute for. a particularly "fiery" green. It should afford good fun during the next two months to local trundlers. Tho Coronation Theatre will be quite ready for the opening ceremony .which is to commence sharp at 3 p.m. to-morrow. In tho evening and thenceforward the English Pierrots will hold tho boards with music, song, and story. The Tramways Band will play in the afternoon, and Clarke's Symphony Orchestra aud the Garrison Bond in tho evening. In tho evening, also, the. English Pierots will perform in the theatre. Persons who have received invitation cards are requested by the committee to present them at the turnstiles, and also to retain them to gain admission (o the theatre.

THE SPORTS COMMITTEE. ' A meeting of tho Sports Committee of tho Coronation Exhibition was held last evening Mr. A. Marryatt presiding. Dates for various sports gatherings will probably work out as under:—Athletics: May '21, May 31, June 7, Juno 11, Juno 21, July 7, July IS), July 2G. Bowls: May 27, May 20, May 31, June If, Juno 17, July 7, July 22; Julio 26 to July 6 bowling tourney. Gymnastics: I'.M.C.A., Juno ,7, July 11); Harrison's, Juno 12, July 11. Motor-cycling: Juno 19, July 8. Tennis: Juno 3, June 11, June'l7, July 12, July 22, July 20. ■ The tennis tourney will be held early in Juno and dates have also to bo arranged for tho schools, Boy Scouts, and Naval displays. Mr. A. C. Kitto was appointed to act with Mi'. J. H. Pollock as timekeeper. Mr. Keesing reported that all the trophies for tho tennis championships and handicaps had Tjcen promised, so that there would bo no cost to tho Exhibition authorities. Mr. Partridge stated that tho Boxing Association asked' that they should get tho whole of tho takings at tho provincial championship meeting until the.v cleared expenses and then would give .15 per cent of tho net profits. It was decided to close with the offer. The chairman stated that there was a possibility of a further boxing tourney being held. It was decided that tho military and Boy Scout displays should bo set down for Juno 10 and July 11. The drafting of tho programmes was left to Messrs. Evatt and M'Leod. COMPETITIONS SOCIETY. In order that the objects of tho newlyformed New Zealand Competitions Society may be placed before the public, a meeting . is to bo held in tile own Hall 011 Thursday evening next, May 25. at S o'clock, when full information will be given as to the society's objects. Tho Mayor (Mr. T. M. AYill'ord, M.P.) will preside, and the .speakers will be the Rev. Father Hickson. Dr. Izard, the Rev. E. 0. Blamircs, Dr. Newman. Mr. J. M. Clark, and Professor Mackenzie. All interested are invited to attend.