NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13396, 26 January 1907, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION

RECORD ENTRIES FOR BANDS' CONTESTS.

NO LACK OF ATTRACTIONS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN' CORRKSPONDEXT.]

CrttusTcmxßCH, Friday. Thf. Exhibition is still progressing merrily, and Chn'stchurch people are wondering how thev will exist when its dazzling illuminations give place to darkness and the huge structure is dismantled in three months'

time. All the side shows are slid doing big business, and West's pictures and the Brescians, which will occupy the concert hall for the next fortnight, arc so far experiencing no difficulty in crowding the hall. The Maoris at the pa, who give poi dances aud ltakas daily before large attendances, welcomed a visitor to-day in the person of Colonel Gudgeon, British Resident at Rarotonga.. Tuta Kihonilio, of the Fast Coast Maoris, and Henare To Aro, of the Wanganui tribe, greeted him in flowery terms as one who came from the tar off land of their ancestors, and one (referring to Maori war) who bad fought with the loyal natives m the times of trouble, and whom their oldens Had loved. Mote Maori- are expected at the pa shortly from the North Island. The chopping match for ti wager, with JBin standing blocks, took place on the Inhibition sports ground this afternoon between Chellis, the Tasmanian champion. and C. O'Kourke, champion of New Zealand. The logs were caiefully selected by the competitors, thus minimising the eifccf.s of the inequality complained of at the recent carnival, and alter a strenuous conteM O'Kourke finished first in ] in. 575.

Now that the Besses o' th' Barn Band have temporarily departed, Pain's London fireworks will again form one of lite principal attractions on the sports ground, and an especially fine display is promised for Wednesday next.

The Fijian.s ait expected back from the South on Tuesday or Wednesday, and will renew their songs and dances immediately upon ret tun. The proposed L dft of a gold watch and medal to the millionth person to visit the Exhibition has caused much interest locally, and there is likely 10 be a. record crowd to see this fortunate individual icceive tie- recognition of his or her fame. The entries for the international band contest, which will be held from February 11 to 16. inclusive, are fully twice as large as those previously received for any such contest held in Australasia. The >wn. choice selections will be held on Tuesday. February 12. in the concert, hall, the test selections on tin sports ground rotunda on Thursday, the quick-step oil tin- .sports ground on Saturday, the solo competitions for the various instalments, quartettes, and trombone solos, (hiring the week. So large are the entries that it'has been found necessary to appoint three judges, one (Lieutenant" Bent ley) for the full band events, and two others for the solo competitions. If the weather is not suitable for outdoor playin:.', She test, selections will lake place in the conceit hall, otherwise the committee are satisfied thai the outside rotunda will give satisfaction to all concerned. The entries for the solo com;' tit ions are so numerous that arrangements have been made for holding preliminary tests in which the more meritorious competitor will be singled out by the judges- to play off in a series of finals. The competitions will take place every day and every evening, concluding on Saturday in time for ihe competitors to catch the Northern boat. It is probable that a late Southern train will also be provided on the Saturday, as will bo the case to-morrow in connection with the Athletic Union's sports meeting. The championship meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will be held on February 21 and 23. on the sport.- ground. Entries close on February 7.

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE. 79,627.

[BY TELKQRAmi.~PHF.SS ASSOCIATION-.] Ctii'.isTCHCKCH, Friday

The. Exhibition attendance for the week ending to-night, totalled 79.627, making the -rami lota: to date 993,800.