THE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13832, 20 February 1907, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

LARGE ATTENDANCE. SOME COMING ATTRACTIONS. (From Ocr Special Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 19. Considering that there were no outstanding attractions the attendance at the Exhibition to-day was again surprisingly large. Close on 600 excursionists arrived to-day from the north, and visitors from the south continue numerous.

The Ilawke's Bay Natives left to-day for the North Island. They will be succeeded within a fortnight by from 10 to 50 members of the same tribe.

It, is estimated that over 2000 people daily have visited tlie sweated industries collection since it was placed in the Exhibition, and difficulty is experienced at time's in controlling admission*.

A splendid disj "lay of iii.« season's apples, pears, peaches, and oilier fruits just placed in position by the Ilawke's Bay growers is attracting general admiration, and worthily upholds tho colony's reputation against, the fine exhibits of fruit in the Canadian court.

Numerous inquiries by art-lovers have been made regarding tho beautiful pictorial photographs in the British court, and up to the present fully one-third of these have been disposed of to purchasers.

Tho judging of the exhibits for awards commences on Thursday next. Food products, cycles, perambulators, heating appliances, and furniture will then be adjudicated upon. No fewer than 1500 entries of competitive exhibits have been received.

At a meeting held between the superintendent of awards and exhibitors, Mr M'lntyrc stated that thero had been a good deal of delay in connection with the judging, but lie hoped now that it would proceed smoothly and expeditiously. He emphasised the need o£ co-operation with tho authorities on the part of exhibitors, and stated that a clear day's notice would always bo given of the judging, and exhibits would bo judged both individually and collectively.

Tho Grey' Cadet Battalion will leave for their homes on Friday by tho To Anau, which arrives from Wellington that morning with a contingent of Wairarapa, Cadets. Tho Grey boys were to have left by the Mapourika this afternoon, but so much soreness was felt by them at having to return 'after only five days' encampment, instead of the week originally appointed, that after much correspondence between tho authorities _ their stay has been extended until Friday. Three hundred babies are expoctcd to take part in tho baby show in tho main corridor on Thursday afternoon and evening. Numerous entries have been received by telegram and letter from places as far away as Dunedin. At the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's sports meeting on Thursday and Saturday next fivo provincial teams will compoto for the championship shieldnamely, Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Ot.'igo, and Southland. An exhibition of boomerang throwing by an Australian expert will bo_ given on tho sports ground oil Thursday in conjuction with tho sports. Another attraction on. Thursday will be tho Christian Endeavour Union's Children's demonstration in tho concert hall. Ten societies will be represented, and 120 young people will participate in tho erection of a monster bridge. There will be a large children's ehoir, and the programme will also include an organ recital. Mr W. Monk, a Sydney organist, will give recitals in .tho concert hall on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. A confetti carnival will bo a feature 'Of the concluding week of the Exhibition. These carnivals, though entirely new to this country, are annual happenings <it Nice and other holiday towns on ths Continent. Ladies and gentlemej wear masks and fancy costumes, and the throwing of confetti is the general amusement. The electrical lighting of the Exhibition, including the beautiful illumination of the front and grounds, is said to cost about £350 a week, exclusive of the cost of electricity used for power, which totals about 9CO horse-power per week, valued at another £60. The 1700 eight candle-power incandescent lamps on the front of the two towers and dome at tho main entrance burn electricity to the value of about £60 a week, and 165 sixteen candle-power lamps forming tho word "Haeremai" account for an additional £9. Inside the dome are 168 lamps of 55 candle-power each, costing over £40 a week. The grand hall is lighted by 24 lamps of 55 candle-power, 133 electrical horse-power being required to light the towerfi, entrance, and grand hall. About 1500 electric lamps arc used to illuminate Wonderland, the cost, including power, being about £60 a week. Three hundred electric lamps encircle Victoria Lake, and there are 150 eight-power lamps over tho pavilion at the Armagh street entrance to the Exhibition. Altogether, tho Exhibition iB lighted by 5000 small incandescent lamps and approximately 250 arc lamps, varying from 500 to 2000 candle-power each. Those figures do not include the gas lighting, which forms a special contrast. The illumination is visible miles out at eea, and from a considerable distance up country.