EXHIBITION CROWDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 22, 26 January 1940, Page 9

EXHIBITION CROWDS

UNDETERRED BY RAIN

CHILDREN'S VISIT ENDS

COURTS POPULAR

Steady rain which fell yesterday afternoon failed to keep the populace away from New Zealand's star Centennial attraction^-the Exhibition at Rongotai—and when the showers eased at the tea hour, the usual large crowds were seen wending their way by tram afej motor-car to the great fair.

Although the rain kept off, except for a few showers, it was a night more for the inspection of inside exhibits than for the enjoyment of open-air attractions. Thus the courts were ■well patronised, and stalls and demonstrators recorded a good evening's, business. This was particularly the case with venders of foodstuffs and delicacies, whose wares were exceedingly popular when the weather forced visitors indoors. Great interest was shown last evening in the organ recital presented in the. Festival Hall by Mr. Charles W.

Yesterday's attendance . 17,005 Total sixty-eight days . 1,187,529

Kerry. Playing on the Hammond electric organ, Mr. Kerry delighted a large audience, included among whom were many music teachers who are attending the annual conference of the New Zealand Music Teachers' Association in Wellington. The programme was as follows: — ■

Chorale, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (Bach); Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Bach); Aria from Second Organ Concerto (Handel); Choral Song (S. S. Wesley); Fantasia on a Plainsong Melody (Healey Willan); nade, Minuet, "Fairy Pipers," and Slumber Scene from "Wand of Youth" Suite by Elgar (arranged C. W. Kerry): Barcarolle from the 4th Pianoforte Concerto (Sterndale-Ben-nett); Offertoire in D Flat (Salome); "Chelsea Fayre" (R. Goss-Custard); "Grand Choeur Alia Handel" (Guilmant); "Idyll," "At Evening" (DudleyBuck); Waltz in A Major (Brahms*; Overture in E Minor. (Morandi). In the Churches United Court lasi evening a-short concert was given by members of the St. Ronan's Presby-, terian Bible Class, Eastbourne. The programme was as follows: Chorus,; "God Defend New Zealand" and "Beau- , tiful Isle of Somewhere"; piano solo,; Miss I. Langford; vocal solo, "Ingrid's Song" Miss N. Longford; recitation, j Miss M. Bennett; chorus, "Brother! James', Air"; quartet, "All Through j the Night," Misses I. Langford and J. I Hull, Messrs. J. Willis and R. Hull; ■ vocal solo, "The Mountains of Mourne, I Mr. R. Hull; vocal solo, "Garden >o£ , Happiness,"-Mr. J. Willis, with chorus: recitation, Mrs. R. Cheyne; piano solo, | Miss N. Langfordy duets, "Green and Gold" and "The 'Old Rugged Cross. Misses- N. and I.- Langford; chorus, "Good-bye" .and "God Save the King." The star attraction at the Maori | Court last evening, was a concert presented by .the yisiting Maori party from Taranaki and Wanganui. Their programmes have been pleasingly varied and last , night's items were roundly applaudcl. Another concert will be given by the party in the Maori Court /tomorrow night, and. this will probabiy!-be:their, last?-appearance be-' fore; they return north. , Intense interest in the Women's Section was shown' by Mrs. Mcßride, wife of -Senator P. A. M, Mcßride, who visited the Exhibition yesterday in company, with- Mrs. C. E. Critchley, wife of the/Australian Trade Commissioner in, New .'Zealand. . Mrs. .Mcßride took particular note of the art sections, in which Jthe Royal loan collection is displayed, and at the conclusion of her visit she was received by the promoters of the section. TOMORROW'S EVENTS. .In the Women's Section tomorrow evening there is to be presented a recital," "New, Zealand Women's Contribution to Music," arranged by Madame Elsie Betts-Vincent, Music and songs by New Zealand women composers will be featured. There will be a Maori concert in the evening. In the afternoon "and also in the evening Mr. Will Bishop's concert party will perform in the sound shell if fine and in the' Festival Hall if the weather is wet.

.A mannequin parade will be given at the New Zealand Wool Council's pavilion in the General Exhibits Court at 8 p'm. . * •■