THE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8732, 19 February 1890, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

At Lhe lutttr end of last mouth the question of permitting sales in ihe building again exercised tho minds of the commissioners, and at n maiiting held 0:1 tho 23rd January it was resolved, on Sir Robert Stout's motion—"( 1) Thus any person found Bcllin; goods for immediatii delivery, except goods mauuf' cturcd in tho building, should not lie allowed to enter tho building, and no ticket of admission be sold to any such per■on ; (2) that any person found taking goods from the building, unless manufactured iv tho building, should be prevented so doing, aud notice of intention of the executive to do so be posted in various parts of the building; (3) that notice of the above resolutions bo sent to all exhibitors selling or attempting to sell goods," It was fouud, however, tbat there were practical difficulties in tho way of giving effect to these resolutions, anil a special meeting was held a week later, at which the executive commissioner submitted the following tnotiou, of which he had given notice, and which was carriod: —"That, in consideration of the practical difficulties aud lecal danger of stopping tho ;a!es in the building, as well as of the facts that these «t.lea are so trifling as not to compete seriously with local traders, and give pleasure to our country visitors, tho resolution of last Thursday (January 23), with regard to sales bo rescinded, ou the understanding that the executive prevent the extension of these, sales, aud ishargu a liceuse fee of £ 1 a week to vendors." The work of judging the exhibits has been proceeding with all possible speed, aud will, it is confidently anticipated, be coueludi-d (veil up to date. The jurors have succeeded iv giving pretty general satisfaction, aud tho only protests that have been inado so far against their awards have been of a trivial character. Tbe commissioners decided, at a meeting at the beginning of this mouth, to issue season tickets for the rest of Iho exhibition at onu-half the' prices that were previously charged, and a large number of these tickets have been disposed of. The coueert hall has been occupied nearly every night during the month, and free- orchestral concerts have been held every afternoon. The principal musical event was the rendering of Gaul's historical cantatß, "Joan of Arc," on the 12th inst. Three local singers—Miss Marshall, Messrs Jago and Blenkinsopp—were the soloists, and with the assistance of the full orchestra and choir, the performance passed off satisfactorily. On the night of the 29th January (Jubilee Day) au English national concert was given, and its success was so great that it was repeated during the following week. Popular concerts have been held each Saturday night, and concerts in aid of special objects havo also been held on different occasions. A lecturo by Mr David Christie Murray, the novelist, formed one of the most agreeable features of the month's entertaiuments. There were not so many special attractions as there were during previous months, but as will be seen the attendance kept up well, and with it the interest in the exhibition has been thoroughly maintained.