NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13325, 3 November 1906, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

VISITORS FAVOURABLY IMPRESSED. A SPLENDID BEGINNING. BRITISH AND COLONIAL COURTS. MAGNIFICENT DISPLAYS. [FROM OIK OWN REPORTEJW.] Chbistchchcb, Friday. The general trend of opinion regarding th« Exhibition and the manner in which the opening ceremony was carried out is of a favourable character. Of course the nonlepresentatibn of America and other leading countries outside the British dominions continues to be remarked upon, but apart, from this, it is generally conceded that there is very little ground for adverse criticism. "A really line exhibition" expresses the sentiment of the various representatives of other countries who have been spoken ii« on the subject. Sir John Gorsfc (the representative of the British Government) expresses unbounded pleasure at the excellence of the exhibits and arrangements. Mr. \V. A. Burns (the Canadian Commissioner) says the opening is a splendid augury for the success of the Exhibition. It could not have been better. " Speaking from my experience," he saws. " I nave not seen any exhibition of importance so complete at the opening, and it reflects the greatest credit on those who have had the matter in hand." Messrs. E. Nicholas and Henry Butler, the Victorian Commissioners, also speak in enthusiastic terms. They bay that the area of the Exhibition buildings is much larger than thai of the Melbourne Exhibition building oj 1888 and 1889, and that the exhibits art better, displayed, owing to more space being available. Captain Percy Atkiit, Commissioner to the British Government, in stating his views, said that the opening ceremonial was a magnificent success, and ha has a special word of praise for the excellence of the musical portion of the pro gramme. "It's as perfect as anything ] ever saw," are the words used by Sir. 8, J. .Scott, Commissioner for South Australia, to convey his appreciation of the display. Mr. T. E. Donne, superintendent of the Tourist Department, goes so far as to say, in speaking of the opening ceremony, that "it compared very favourably with the opening of the St. Louis Exposition." Mr. A. A. Londdin. art representative of the British Government, says " the ceremony way excellent in regard to both arrangement and time." Mr. 1. Evans slates that the show, as compared with the former Australian exhibitions, is a very creditable one indeed. He is not prepared to say that it is larger than the displays held in Melbourne and Sydney, but in point of general excellence it has little or nothing to suffer by comparison. ..■»; *« >■■'■•>-".' The second day of the Exhibition;has< been favoured with the best of Kings weather. The attendance, though not nearly so large as on the opening day, was near-' ly 12,000, and the tone of the general criticism of the fair has been of a'commendatory character. A steady stream of people has been passing in and out of the grounds during the day, and judging by the numbers paying for admission at the gates, and the increasing demand lor season tickets, the Exhibition authorities do not- appear to hare any cause for complaint as regards patron-. a '"- ,: "" ."'.'.' : ' ': J THE GOVERNOR AT THE PA,

A MAORI WELCOME.

SPEECH BY LORD PLUNKET.

His Excellency the Governor, Lady PluH« kel, and the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, paid a visit to the Maori pa this afternoon. They were received by Mr. .. Augustus Hamilton, curator of the Colonial Museum. The Waikato war canoe, Taltieretikitiki, which is now afloat and redecorated with brilliant colours and characteristic design*, ~ win, manned by the Maoris, arid paddled across the lake to meet the Governor, who, however, approached, the pa on foot. There was an old time reception at the pa by Maori chiefs, and then the party were entertained by a haka. Dr. Buck," the medical officer in charge, found the haka irresistible, and wearing the reed mat called piupiu, joined in the dance with I lie rest. A Maori lady, who was a spectator, also succumbed to the infection, and took her place among the poi dancers, waving her parasol in the air, rolling her eyes, and chanting weirdly as to the manner born. The Rarotongans gave' a .series of dances of welcome, and sang several of their beautiful songs, accompanied by rhythmic drumming, swaying from side to side. When all the dances had concluded, the chiefs of the Taranaki, Waikato, and Wanganui natives in turn addressed His Excellency, and assured him of the sincerity of their welcome. They said the .Maoris were there that day so that people from ah the world could see them living in the way they used to live. Now the people of all the earth could know that the Maoris were a living race, for they could see them for themselves. "Welcome! Welcome.' Welcome!" shouted Hori Pukeheka, the Wanganui chief.. " You are the bright star of the morning, rifting above the ocean to he u light to the Maori people. We had forgotten how to do the works of our ancestors, but now they stand again," His Excellency, having acknowledged' the kindly greetings of the' Maori people in the name of the King of England, said When 1 was leaving England the King asked me particularly about bis Maori people, and bade me watch over them and help them m any way that I could." Here the Maoris cheered lustily. Continuing, His Excellency said it was pleasant to see there the. Maori people on that great occasion of the history of Maoriiand. The sad old days were gone, and they now assembled together there for happier purposes He was happy to think that notwithstanding what had been said to him >y die Maoris themselves/to the effect that they were a dying race, Hie recent reckoning of the people showed that if there was a decrease in their numbers it could only be a very small decrease. He was sure that everyone in the great Empire to which they all belonged would wish that the Maori people would flourish and increase. The Maoris danced a haka once more and the vice-regal party left the pa.