THE EXHIBITION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6150, 5 March 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION

OHRISTCHIIRCIH, March 4 Performances of the Besses o’ th’ Barn this, afternoon and evening again drew large attendances. A sacred concert given by the band on the sports ground yesterday afternoon was listened to by over nine thousand persons, and'the gross proceeds are, expected to add £SOO to the eoddon Memorial Fund. , . ; A large and beautiful wreath made as a tribute of honour to the memory of the late Captain Hutton, curator of Canterbury Museum, is now on view in a glass-case in the Exhibition. The wreath was made by Mr H. J. Stone and Miss Stone, of Woodend, and it occupied them continuously for twelve months. It is,composed entirely of Now Zealand flax fibre and the plumage of Now Zealand native birds. Feathers of twenty-six varieties of birds wore used, several of them being extinct. The Government permitted Mr and Miss Stone to take feathers of some of the birds from public collections. The workmanship of the wreath is extremely delicate and elaborate, the feathers being combined to form many graceful and beautifully coloured flowers. . ..

A cheap excursion for visitors to the Exhibition from Invercargill, Gore, and Waiinoa Plains brought 35C excursionists to-day. Jt is notable that with all the heavy Exhibition traffic of the past few months, there has not been a single accident! ‘ The Hawke’s Bay Maoris, whose performances at the pa have been of such a high order of merit, left for. their homos to-day., Mr Hamilton is trying to arrange for parties of Maori school-children to visit tho pa. The general manager .of the Exhibition has received a letter from Major V/. S. Austin, officer commanding the Grey public school cadet battalion, stating ■ that tho battajion “keenly appreciate your many kindnesses on their behalf, and .1 have to thank you sincerely for the facilities granted to tho boys, not only as regards special privileges in connection with amusements, but also the opportunities afforded for their participation in public displays.” A very large number of entries has boon' received for the pot show to bo held under the auspices of tho Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ainimala on Friday afternoon and evening in the grounds of ‘“Wonderland.” Entries range from the smart, hansom cab and horse to the diminutive hedgehog. A number of performing animals have also entered, and will bo put through some novel and remarkable tricks. Extensive preparations have been made by the “Wonderland” authorities to suitably display the, exhibits. Entries for the competition for essays on “kindness to animals” will be' accepted up to Wednesday night. Numerous entries for the dahlia and fruit show in tho main corridor of tho Exhibition . next Wednesday and Thursday have been received. The exhibits of fruit ‘ promise to be a record, and the dinner table decorations are more in number than at previous shows. Tho displays for exhibition only -exceed those at other shows hold in .the Exhibition.