THE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15517, 27 January 1914, Page 9

THE EXHIBITION.

CONTINUED POPULARITY.

LAST WEEK OF BAND.

NUMEROUS ATTRACTIONS.

'ton" Auckland Exhibition has been open * jjjjht weeks, and its popularity shows ■•'no jicn of decreasing. The daily attendWes a the Exhibition itself keep well in to tlio average, the total attendance to dale now approximating 465,000. The various outside attractions organised in connection with the Exhibition invariably draw big crowds, and as long as the weather continues Hue there, seems to be reason to anticipate any falling off in ♦he number of visitors. The reason of the Exhibition's continued popularity is not far to seek. The beautiful grounds have ■ charm of their own, and, although some 0 f the lawns are going brown in places, ♦he well '""* out flower beds are kept stocked wit 1 - bright and fresh blooms, which materially help towards brightening the whole colour scheme of the buildings and grounds. Inside the buildings themselves visitors can always find something fresh to interest them. New exhibits are constantly being substituted for old ones, end stalls an- frequently being rearranged or redecorated. The fish in the aquarium are » never-failing source of interest, and n large number of visitors include an inspection of the pictures in the art gallery in their tour of the fair. Tho evening o'ispTays of the fairy fountain are invariably watched by large crowds, the beautifully coloured feathered plumes of water making a kaleidoscopic picture of great beauty. No two displays eyar look to be quite "the same, the operator always seeming to Tie able to produce some fresh effect. The Exhibition greatest attraction is Undoubtedly the Royal Artillery Band. ,The presence of this famous organisation, ■with its <!«>'>' afternoon and evening concerts, has probably done more to draw .people to the Exhibition than anything • else. The band audiences are expected to ibe large during the current week, for within the next five days the band will (have started on its tour, and the Exhibition will know it no more until it, returns for a short period prior to leaving for England. Another orchestral concert is (promised for Thursday night, and on the following evening the poualr " 1812 Overture" will be repeated, this being the hand's last concert before its tour. Last hut not least amongst Exhibition attractions is Wonderland Park. A very large majority of Exhibition patrons find their way there, especially in the evenings. Yesterday's Programme.

During yesterday, the first day of the Exhibitions ninth week, the total number of visitors was 4111. This attendance was made up of 2587 adults and 398 children, •who paid for admission, and 1126 seasonticket holders. The aquarium was patronised by 272 visitors, while the art gallery attracted about 150. Many of the evening visitors leave at (the same hour, and very often there is (much congestion at tho turnstiles. To obviate this, the gate at the back of the Government courts is opened from halfpist nine to half. ten o'clock each evening for exit only, and notices to this effect have been posted in the grounds. - ii.u furt i!! er consignment of exhibits for the Southland court lias arrived, and some more are on tho way. The opening of this court was delayed by the strikes, and several people who had promised to send exhibits thought that the idea of opening the court had been abandoned. As a consequence considerable difficulty has been experienced in collecting the various exhibits, but it is hoped that within a short time this court will be thoroughly representative of its district. y. While the Royal Artillery Band is" away i the experiment will be tried of having an orchestra playing in the various buildings in order to entice visitors into the neighbourhood of the stalls. The orchestra, which will consist of 11 musicians under Mr. Poore, begins its concerts on Monday next. Open air concerts, with orchestral item;:, part songs, and solos, are also being arranged.

. Royal Artillery Band. As usual, the Royal Artillery Band contorts were much appreciated by a Jarge proportion of the visitors. In the afternoon two of Wagner's works were played —"The Kaiser's March" and a selection from . "The Flying Dutchman." Scbmeling's- pretty morceaux, "A Night in Toledo," Sullivan's incidental music to . "Henry VIII.," and German's music to the masque "As You Like It," were all warmly applauded. The programme was completed by Beethoven's "Leonora" Overture No. 3, Schubert's moment music, and the waltz "Septembre." In the evening tho band played another admirable programme, which met with the full appreciation of the audience. The march " Osroanen " (Fetras) was followed by Lacomo's Spanish suite "La Feria" and by Nicolai's popular and tuneful overture to "Tho Merry Wives of Windsor." A selection from "II Trovatore," and" one from the works of Haydn were admirably played. The three concluding items on the programme all proved to be very popular. They were "The Mill in the Black Forest," a piccolo solo "Badinage," and the delightful " Valse des Flours" from Tschaikowsky's " Casse Noisette" suiteComing Entertainments. The Exhibition authorities are providing a variety of attractions for visitors during the current week. In addition to the usual band concerts each day there will be nit orchestral concert on Thursday evening any a repetition of the popular " 1812 Overture" the next night. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday the Auckland Kennel Club's dog show takes place in tho concert hall. The number of entries received constitute a record for the Dominion, and the variety of dogs exhibits! will be very large. On the last day of tho Hog show sheep-dog trials will be held in the Domain. On Thursday, Anniversary Day, Mr. J. J. Hammond" is duo to make further demonstration flights on the Government monoplane if the weather conditions are favourable. A start will bo made from the Domain Cricket Ground on this occasion, the aeroplane being previously flown from Epsom, where it is at present, to the Domain. The week's attractions will be brought to a conclusion by another grand display of fireworks in the Exhibition grounds on Saturday night.