THE EXHIBITION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1148, 8 June 1911, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT. SOME BIQ FIGURES, Tho Coronation Exhibition concluded the first fortnight of its existence yesterday. To mark tho occasion the Commissioners prepared a rough financial statement last evening, which will bo read with tho greatest interest by all who have visited tho big fair on AVatcrloo Quay. Tho statement: works out as follows:— n i J3 a. d, Cash return from turn-stiles, Stadium »"vikl Theatre (without picture receipts) 1457 11 7 Season ticket's (return incomplete) 339 7 o Spaco fees (incomplete) SOI 9 7 Total 2G98 9 2 Yesterday's cash receipts (tho third Wednesday) amounted to JJII9 12s. 9d., which brings tho total to dato up to .£2BIB Is. lid. Tho total number of persons who passed through the turn-stiles up till Tuesday night (the full fortnight:) was and yesterday's register tvdded another OT2, bringing the total to dato up to 45,505. i flio Commissioners consider these figures, highly satisfactory,. and hope that tho' average will continue throughout the' two months' existence of the Exhibition. • With only a fortnight gone it would) Ire premature to prognosticate success in! every sense of the word for tho Coronation Exhibition, but judging by tho: manner in which the public aro respond-) ing to the attractions of this very fiuoi show of local industries there is little reason to doubt that if anything like the : present attendances continue, a very'; signal success will be achieved. There* were several visitors from Australia (who | arrived by the Uliinaroa yesterday) pre- i sent last evening, who ' expressed the greatest surprise at the brightness of t'h'o* Exhibition generally, tho quality of tho ■; exhibits, and the manner in which they ' are displayed. The attendance was large again last' evening, and the attractions manifold. As usual the cookery expositions were very much in the public eye at the Wellington Gas Company's lectureroom, the electrical syndicate's stall, and' at T. Ballingcr and Co.'s corner, where ; the girl students from the Wellington Technical School gavo an interesting' demonstration. SPECIAL TRAINS WANTED. A DEPUTATION. The Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister for Railways) was urged yesterday by a deputation representing tho Exhibition Commissioners (Messrs. J. P. Luke, M.P., T. Ballinger, and L. R. Partridge, and Mr. 11. Allan, secretary), to grant special facilities to country residents to visit Wellington during tho Exhibition term. Excursion trains were suggested on days on which half-holidays were observed in tho country towns. The deputation pointed out that the Exhibition was not only a Wellington- one; and it would provo of certain educational value. It was also recalled that the commissioners had not approached tho Government for any subsidy, but, rather, certain Government. Departments had been given a large area of spaco free of charge. The Minister replied that it was Ilia duty to look after tho railway revenue, but ho would confer with his officers regarding fortnightly excursion trains. Ho would be prepared to arrange for an excursion train starting from Woodvillo aa' an experiment, Y.M.C.A, GYMKHANA, A highly attractive display of, up-to-._' date calisthcnics was given by members of the Y.M.C.A., under tho direction of Mr. He'ward, instructor, who .was assisted by a squad of his lady pupils, who in 11 their gay hussar dsesses, lent a'.'touch of military picturesnueness to tho scone, There was' a splendid attendance, and tho spectators were most enthusiastic throughout. So vigorous was the applause at many of the displays that the noise interfered not a little with the entertainment being given by the English Pierrots in the Coronation Theatre below. Mr. Howard deserves much praiso for the really fine display his pupils gave, and for tho vigour and rhythm which characterised the various forms of (he work undertaken. The events'consisted of displays of horizontal and parallel-bar exercises, polo drill, Swedish drill, club swinging, an assault-at-arms, and somo good figure-' inarching.' ATHLETIC SPORTS. During the evening a 50.vds. and ono niilo handicap were got off (under tho auspices of tho Wellington Centre of Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association). Owing to the large number of-' entries the milo race had to be run off in three heats. The racing was good, and tho enthusiasm of the spectators was exhilarating. Tho following were the results:— 50yds. Handicap.—First heat: 1, 11. J, Pollock (35yds.); 2, H. H. Dawson (Iyd.). Time, Gsec. Secontl heat: 1, A. T. Duncan (scr.); 2, L. C. Galbraith (2yds.). Time. 5 4-ssee. Third heat: 1, 11. Robertson (Jyd.)i 2, R. Porter (ljyds.). Time, 6 see. Final: 1, R. Porter; 2, L. C'. Galbraith. Time, 5 4-sscc. Ono Mile Handicap.—First heat: ], F. Turner (45yds.); 2, F. Byrjie (25yds.); :t. A. Murray (40yds.). Time, Smin. Second heat: 1, B. Curry (55v<!s.); 2, J. Byrne (55yds.); 3, I'. J, Fitzgerald (55,yd5.).. Time, Smin. 7sce. Tho final of the mile will bo run on' Wednesday evening next. COMING ATTRACTIONS. There will be bowling at the Stadium this afternoon and. evening. Tho tennis tournament will be resinned to-morrow evening, and will be carried on to a conclusion on Saturday afternoon. The Boy Scouts Gymkhana will take place iu the Stadium on Saturday evening, ' "THE SHOW OF THE SEASON." What is described at "the show of iho . season" is billed to take place at tho Exhibition Stadium next Monday evening, Mr. J. W. M. Harrison, the well-known physical culturist, is massing his various pupils to makp one combined demonstration of his methods. Some two hundred and fifty performers are to take part, made up from his classes, held at Wellington Terrace, Karori, and Xewtown, detachments of boys from St. Patrick's College, and girls from South Wellington School will also assist to make an effective carnival. A LAUGHING GALLERY. "Laugh and Grow Fat" is an axiom which always makes a subtle appeal to thoso worried by arguments with tho weighing machine. There will bo an opportunity of getting a full measure of laughter to-night, tho commissioners having secured a' first-class laughing gallery for the Exhibition. This is being installed in a corner of tho Stadium, where tho reverberations of the public laughter will not disturb the parade of tho dignified and serious below.