THE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13835, 23 February 1907, Page 10

THE EXHIBITION.

RUGBY FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT.

. (FrOU OUB SsCCUi C'OMESrOKDIXT.I CHRISTC'HURCH, February 22. School children formed an unusually large proportion of tho attendance at the Exhibition to-day, three largo Canterbury schools being represented in strdug force. The Grey and North Otago Cadet battalions took their departure, and their place was taken by tho Wairarapa, contingent of 283 of all ranks. There has not been a case of serious siekttcss at the Exhibition camps since they were inaugurated. The boys appear to enjoy greatly their week of military life, jn which there are many interludes for recreation. Church parades at the Cathedral have been made a weekly feature for the Anglicans among their number, and tho religious needs of the rest are carefully considered. The Wairarapa boys will be followed by a. detachment from Hawkc s Bay. It i.i understood that the decision- of the bead masters of the Wellington city and suburban schools— that, owing to serious difficulties in the way, it is inadvisable to reopen the question of sending tho schooi Cadets to (he Exhibition—will not prevent Major Cowles arriving about the Bth prox. with a contingent of 200 boys chosen from tho various 'Wellington schools.

The judging of the exhibits is proceeding busily, and dates for judging the various classes have been arranged up to the 27th inst. Itv is expected that the first results will lie available in about a week's time after that.

_ The most popular exhibit in the Exhibition yesterday was undoubtedly tlio Sweated Industries collection, which was especially interesting to large numbers of women present. Over 5000 people arc stated to. have inspected tho exhibit during the day. Tho motor launches, which had previously been confined to tho river, have lately been placed on Victoria Lake as well, where they aro doing'largo business. The inability of tho Now Zealand Rugby Union to assist in holding a football tournament nt. the Exhibition at Easter will not mean the abandonment of tho project: It is probable that the Exhibition will offer a trophy of a specially attractive nature as a prize for the most successful team taking part in the competitions, and every club in New Zealand will bo invited to send a team. Tho tournament will probably last from one Saturday till tlio next, and matches will be played both morning and afternoon.

The present Exhibition should have a .unique record for the good conduct of its crowds. The police have not received a single report of pocket-picking since it opened, and only one man lias been arrested for drunkenness. He slipped through the gates by some oversight, and was arrested almost immediately afterwards. Some boys were arrested for pilfering during the early weeks. The amount of £5 would probably cover tho value of their thefts. Only two men have been ejected from the buildings during tho progress of tlio Exhibition, and their misbehaviour was not serious.

1 A party of 110 Maoris from Hawke's Bay are now on their way to tho Exhibition. This will be the largest party that Iras over occupied the pa at one time. As the "Duke's Own" tribe have already shown themselves to bo possibly the finest liaka dancers that the pa has held, the entertainments of this largo contingent should ho a great- attraction. Extensive preparations arc being- made for the display of daylight fireworks, which takes place on Saturday afternoon, March 2, at 5 o'clock. The display will be tho first-of its kind ever held in the Southern Hemisphere.

■The seventh display of fireworks by Pain and Sons will take place next Wednesday night.

The Besses o' th' Barn Band will commence their return seasqn on the 28th in6t.

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT. (Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, February 22. ' The New Zealand Rugby Union has decided that it cannot lall Tn with the wishes of the Exhibition authorities to hold a football tournament at the Exhibition at Easter. THE "DUKE'S OWN." HASTINGS, February 22. The "Duke's Own" contingent of 110 Natives loft this morning for the Exhibition.