THE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 9

THE EXHIBITION.

YESTERDAY'S VISITORS. NEW MINING EXHIBITS. i ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND. The Auckland Exhibition lias now been open on 11 week days and on one Sunday afternoon. During that period, in spite of the continuous unseasonable weather, about 100,000 people have visited the Exhibition. Only those who have paid at the turnstiles iiavo been actually counted. The number of season ticket-holders and others admitted had only been estimated up to a few days ago, when automatic recorders were introduced., The number of people who paid for admission yesterday was 2973, of these 335 being children. This brings the total number of those who have paid for admission up to 68,118. During the (lay, 1750 season ticket-holders were admitted, the total day's attendance being 4723. The aquarium was visited by 336 persons. The Mines Department of New Zealand has adopted the very latest appliances for the protection of miners. Fire-damp is met with, more or less, in most collieries, and.has been responsible for serious loss of life. For the instruction of miners and students, a fire-damp observatory has been established by the Department at the Exhibition.

The practical test for fire-damp in coal mines is to observe its effect upon tho flame of a miner's safety lamp. When this gas is present in mine air in so small a proportion as 1 per cent., it may be detected by an expert observer with a safety lamp burning colza oil, and as the proportion of gas increases tho indications become more pronounced. Such indications take the form of a pale blue halo or cap above the flame. When the proportion of gas reaches 6 per cent, it becomes explosive, and continues so until 16 per cent, is attained, the most explosive mixture containing 9.5 per cent. It is very important that coal mine officials shall become expert observers for fire-damp, for on their skill in this direction may depend the lives of their fellowworkers in the mines. By the law of the United Kingdom it is compulsory that such officials, before they receive certificates of competency, shall demonstrate their ability to distinguish with a safety lamp tho correct percentage of fire-damp in the air, and a similar qualification is proposed in New Zealand. To enable tests" to be made, and candidates to be examined in known proportions of gas and air, observatories or testing stations have been established by the Home Office, also by all tho important universities, technical colleges, schools of mines, and collieries in the coal mining fields of Great* Britain. The same steps will be taken by the Government in New Zealand. The two sets of apparatus installed at the Exhibition are quite new to New Zealand, and represent the most approved type as installed and recommended by the Home Office expert, Professor J. Gadman.' Mr. F. Reed, instructing engineer to tho Mines Department, is in charge of this apparatus. Daily demonstrations wjll be given, and certificates issued to those who become proficient in estimating the amount of fire-damp present. A variety of mine rescue appliances will also be on view shortly. These, in conjunction with tho numerous working models of mines, a large selection of mineral specimens, and a case representing every type of explosive (the duplicate of which case will bo displayed at the Panama Exposition), make a remarkably interesting and instructive exhibit. .

N Band Concerts. • The usual two concerts were given by the Royal Artillery Band. In the afternoon they played in the Mennie bandstand, the evening performance being t'iven in the other bandstand. Amongst TTte afternoon items were the overture to "Don Juan" (Mozart), a selection from Verdi's " Aida," the andante from Beethoven's sth Symphony, the ballet music from Gounod's " Faust," and a selection from the works of Berlioz. A remarkably fine programme in the evening opened with the grand march from "Tannhauser." This was followed by Grieg's _ popular " Peer Gpt" suite. Other classical items included a grand selection from " Carmen," scenes from " Lohengrin," and a selection from the works of Chopin. These and all the numbers played were received with much applause. 1 The usual two concerts will be given this afternoon and evening. The leading feature of this evening's programme will be the playing of the world-famous "1812 Overture," with full effects. On Sunday afternoon the band will play in the Exhibition grounds at three o'clock. On Tuesday, December 23, the string portion of the band will give a concert at the hospital for the benefit of the patients.

To-day's Attractions. Given a fine day, . the attendance today should be large. There, are many .attractions to entice visitors. The art allery, which has been closed for the last few days pending (ho completion of the hanging of the pictures, will, it is hoped, be ready to-day for the admission of tho public. During tho afternoon the boy scouts will give an interesting demonstration of scoutcraft on the Domain Cricket Ground. Permission was given by the executive, at its meeting yesterday, "for Wonderland to remain opon till 10.30 p.m. on five days of the week and till 11 p.m. on Saturday. On New Year's Eve Wonderland will b»' open till midnight. The buildings of the Exhibition will be closed at 10 p.m. as usual. Early next week a large bell will be erected in the grounds, and this will be used to warn visitors of the closing, hour.