NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13391, 21 January 1907, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

GRATIFYING ATTENDANCES AND

RETURNS.

RECORD ENTRIES FOR THE BAND

CONTEST.

[BY IKLKGRAPH. — OWN COUKKSrOMTENT.]

Onus ion men. Sunday. A.votiikr successful week ended on Saturday for the Exhibition, which for the last two months has been progressing in a most gratifying manner. For years past there has not been such an auspicious summer, and the attendances are being well sustained, and the royalties daily pouring in from the side-shows and refreshment room* m« gladdening to the managerial heart. On Friday, which was a cold and showery day, the attendance tell to 7167, but, the amount of cash taken exceeded by £50 the takings on December 12, when there were a thousand more visitor?. The explanation is thai the present crowds include a far greater proportion of strangers to the city, who pay their shillings at- the gates, than di 1 the earlier large attendances, which were made up largely of local season ticket holders. At the same time the proiceds iiiiin the sale of season ticket/? have been very large. 'J lie exceptionally _".<*! foil me that has attended the Exhibition in regard to the w«-j;jier threatened to desert it "ii Saturday, the day n\-.-<l for the conclusion of the axemen's, carnival. All Friday night ram fell heavily, din! Saturday morning advanced till noon with piercing wind and gusts nt hail. Then, with surprising suddenness, the weather cleared, and a beautiltil nitctiKxiii '« ; in and several thousand* of people gathered nu the sports ground to sen the champions wield their axes. The contests were keenly fought and full of interest. The Exhibition Handicap, of 150 sows (18in standing blocks), resulted in a win for J. Ii irtnett (Hawke's Hay), with 30-.. J. W. Weston (West, Australia) with 25s finished second, and the scratch man I*. O'Rourke (West Coast) was third. H. i-.'-'an (West Australia) finished fourth. The winner's time was 3m. 4 3-fis. The single-handed sawing handicap of £8 (2ft logs) was won by IT W. Casey (Tuxunaki), at sera mark, with G. Morrison (Dannevirke!, with 20*. handicap, second, and J. Hartnett (Hawke's Roy), 5.>., third. The winner's tim«: was 2m. 16 4-ss. The New Zealand underhand championship of £25 (loin logs) was won by i'. O'Rouike (West Coast), P. J. O'Rourke (West Coast) tjnishing .second, and W. Ftw.t here tone (Tasmania) third. The winner's lime v <•< 2m. 2.-. In the New Zealand double-handed sawing championship of £15 (2ft- logs) T. Kelly and Cowan (West CV>a*.t) finished first, Moirison and Ueiibow iDanneviike) se- ; cond, and C. W. (.»v and Coo in be thitd. ; The winners' time was 325.

The Besses <>' th' Barn Band played to crowded audiences on Saturday afteruoot anil evening. The Governor will bo present at the final perfojinance of the band on Wednesday. An exceptionally fine display of reworks will be shown in conjunction with the band concert.

Nine tine pictures have arrived at. the Inhibition, for which the paintei, Mr. (i. Rowe. receive*! the bronze medal at ii-_-London Inhibition in 1862. Some ol these depict the Victorian geldfields in the early 11its, and one of the most interesting repievents the first race for the Melbourne Cup. The paintings are of much artistic merit, and will be hung in the entrance corridor.

Nineteen thousand people have made the ascent of the Exhibition tower in five week.*. '

Preparations are well advanced for the New Zealand Athletic Union meeting, to be held on Thursday and Saturday, on the sports ground. The selection pieces for the hand contest are coming to hand in large numbers. It is hoped to-run .1. special train from Christchurch to Invercargill after the band competitions on the Saturday night. The contest has awakened unprecedented interest among the bandsmen, and the entries, even after allowing for some defections, constitute a. record for the colony.

The Auckland Orchestral Society will dve concerts in the conceit hall on Monday, Tuesday, and WedriCtdar nigh!*.