THE EXHIBITION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 41, 18 February 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

THE ATTENDANCE TO DATE

A TRIBUTE TO THE ORCHESTRA

DAYLIGHT FIREWORKS

[By Telegraph—Special Service.]

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 18. Despite the continuous heavy showers of rain, the Exhibition on Saturday attracted an attendance of 14,004, bringing the total for the week to over 90,000, and making an aggregate to date of 1,229,861. . The quickstep competition proved the most attractive feature of the Band Contest. The performance by the combined bands, which was to have taken place on the sports ground, was unable to be held there owing to the rain, but about four bands played together in the main corridor in the presence of a very large audience. The presentation of the cash prises and medals to the successful bands and bandsmen took place in -the main a\enue :n the evening. Mr Munro, before presenting the prizes, in a short speech congratulated the successful competitors, and expressed his sympathy with those who were unsuccessful. Ho thanked them all, oa behalf of the Exhibition, for participating in the contest and assisting to make that feature of the Exhibition the success it had been.

At the Ministerial supper given to the visiting bandsmen on Friday night, Lieutenant Bentley-, judge of the grand selection and the quickstep competition, paid a high tribute to the Orchestra, v/hich was, he said, in his opinion, the finest tiling in the Exhibition. The Government deserved the thanks of the whole Colony for bringing together such a magnificent body of players, which, he hoped, all the centres of the Colony would be afforded an opportunity to hear. The presence of the Orchestra would cover quite a multitude of other sins of omission, if such existed. j The Hon. Mr McGowan, in replying to the toast of " The Exhibition," said the fact that it was in such a forward state when it was opened was due to the ability and energy of the General Manager, Mr Munro, who had been a tower of strength between the Government and the" committees. Mr Munro had the welfare' of the Exhibition at heart, and it was mainly due to his efforts that the undertaking had turned but such a success. The Minister also paid a tribute to the excellent work carried out by the various committees.

The Hawke's Bay Natives at'the Pa are expected to return home early this week. They; will be succeeded by a detachment ot about forty of their felloe-tribesmen, whose visit will be succeeded about March 20 fey that ©I a contingent of Wairaras*a -Natives, fifty or sixty strong. The visit of the Noatiporou Maoris will probably not ' take place till near the end oi the Exhibition, as most at "them are too busily engaged to £ci away before. The first. display of daylight. i&reworks, which proved a great success at ths St. Taouis Exhibition, will take place at 5 p.m. t>n Saturday, March I'nd. Rockets antl bombs .ire fired from mortirs, and when they burst, instead <o'i the iusi*al coloured rfires, small flags, pso-acbstes, fis~hss, 'birfis, and aM maiaser .<df teller tilings, are set floating im the air. The'displays are specials- attractive to the children, &im} •ar^.aaagements are 'being made for .special trains ds© transport the little people feom all .convenient places. This is ■& ifo-rm iof entertainment absolutely new in .New Zealand, -and the Gene/Tal JVlanajjer anticipates' that it will draw the greatest gather-" ing of chUfliren ever seen in the Colony. There will be no for admi ssioiaiao iihe day .fireworks display. The principal attractions for this week at the Exhibition are another free graaafl (display .-elf ifhteworks on Wednesday might,'d3ie Baby;: Show on Thursday, and the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's, spoits on Thursday and Saturday, The final display of fireworks will be given on the night, ®if Easter ISkKflay, \when :-a specially extensive and elaborate exhibition will be given, as Mr White, representative of Pain and Sons, London, intends to fire off then his entire remaining stock of £reworks before his Teturn to England.