THE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13845, 7 March 1907, Page 7

THE EXHIBITION.

FRUIT AND DAHLIA SHOW. A SPLENDID"DISPLAY, (From Oor Special Correspondent.) , CHRISTCIIURCH, March 6. The fruit ami dahlia show, which opened ill the Exhibition this afternoon, and will ho continued to-day, is stated by lending horticulturists to he much the largest and best that has ever been held in the colony. Perhaps tho principal feature of tho show is the magnificent display of fruit. It is in this section that the most market! advance • is noticeable, especially in the collections . sent for exhibition only. A fine collection <3? apples and pears sent from Otago is quite a feature of tho show. In tho section for pot plants the exhibits arc of a very high standard, and competition was keen. Tho groups arc effective and well displayed. A striking fcaturo of tlio show is tho particularly lino colour of much of tho fruit, caused doubtless by tiio dry summer. Seventy-seven cases, or practically one ton, of Golden Chasselns grapes arrived in pcrfcct condition at the Exhibition to-day from the Government's experimental station at Waoronpa, in the \Vaikato. Half were placed on exhibition and half sold to concessionaires for the salo of fruit in tho building, who retailed them at 6d a pound to the public as last as they could unpack the boxes. The flower show, though it. attracted many hundreds of visitors, was only one of many attractions at tho Exhibition today. The orchestra gave concerts afternoon and evening in tho concert hall to big attendances, and the Besses o' th' Barn Band had a largo audience on the Sports Ground in the afternoon, but the evening saw the principal attraction of tlio day in the form of a combined outdoor concert by tho Besses o' 111' Barn Band and a display of fireworks by the representative of Pain and Sons. The night was perfect, for both events, and there was an enormous crowd to gratify tho double enjoyment of eves and ears. A colossal portrait of tho late Mr Seddon was a feature of tho fireworks display. Tho portrait was a remarkably close likeness, and was loudly cheered by tho immense crowd. The total attendance at the Exhibition for the day was 16,563. which makes the aggregate to date 1,418,665. Over 200 entries have been received for tho pet show in Wonderland on Friday. The motor gymkhana, fixed for Saturday afternoon, will conimcnce with a parade of motor cars through tho city, and will include many novel events on the Sports Ground. In conjunction with the gymkhana a concert will be given by tlio Besses o' th' Barn Eand. Elaborate preparations are being made for tlio international fire brigades' competitions, to be held from. the 18th to 23rd inst., which are expcctod to rival the rccont band contost in attendance, interest, and importance. The Easter holidays will be made a very attractive period at tho Exhibition. Tho Southern, Union, and Alhambra Football Clubs (of Duncdin) and also the AVellington Club have definitely arranged to plav off their annual matches with tlio local clubs at Easter on tho Exhibition Sports Ground, and several other games are expected to take place there. A special fireworks display will be given at Easter, and the United Bands of Hope demonstration on Easter Monday, in which delegates to the New Zealand Temperance- Conference to be held iu Ohristelmreli at that time will take part, should prove a very popular function. (Feu United Press Association.) CHRISTCIIURCH, 'March 6. The fruit and dahlia show, which i;.being held in tlio main corridor of tlio Exhibition to-day,'is much tJio largesj and, if possible,' the most beautiful that lias been held in the Exhibition. It is half as largo again as Iho Iwgonia show of last month, which broke all previous records. The present show has expanded beyond tho limits of tlio main avenue, and a largo amount of space beneath tho entranco dorao is taken up by tho exhibits that arc not for competition. In fact, the ))romolers of the show havo been at their wit's end to provide spaco for tho collection, which includes grapes from the Waikato, dahlias from Oamn.ru, and fruit from Central Otago, in addition to tho products of Canterbury gardens and orchards. The dahlias are a 'magnificent collection—quite the best that havo over been shown in Ohristchureh. Tho improvement in these flower?, which is conspicuous year after year, is again most noticeable. There is also a splendid show of begonias, and pot plants aro present in great variety and beauty. The numorous exhibits of fruit and vegetables shown aro of high quality. _ Altogether, there are 561 entries, of which 450 arc for competition.