THE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13854, 18 March 1907, Page 6

THE EXHIBITION.

NATURAL HISTORY COURT. BKAUTY SHOW ABANDONED. (From Our Special CoßnnsroxDnxT.) CHRISTCHURCH. March 17. The attendance at the Exhibition on Saturday reached the highly-satisfactory total, for a wet day, of 12.814, making a total for the week of 72,917, and Iho aggregate lo date 1.592.292. ,'i'ho display of daylight fireworks in the aflcrnooti was witnessed by a,, very numerous gathering, and there were large audiences at Mr Grcgson's final organ recital and orchestral concerts in the afternoon and evening. At the evening concert several vocal items were given very successfully by Mrs Arthur Meade. An interesting addition has been made lo (he Natural History court in the shape of a fine painting, life'' size, of the North Island mountain lily- (Ranunculus insiguis). It is the work of David Turner, of Masterton. | Tho plant was collected by him during a recent excursion to the Tararua Mountains. It is doubtful if fills court has received the amount: of attention from the public that its importance and interest deserve, owing to • its somewhat isolated position in the north-cast, corner of the gallery.. It is really one of iho mist interesting courts in the Exhibition. Three fine, cases contain specimens of the taxidermist's art in the shape of many New Zealand birds, including some of the famous wingless, species, animals of various countries, and fishes curious and uncouth. Standing in tho centre of the court- is an idealistic representation cf what the moa was supposed to be like in prehistoric days, and two immense sjiecimcns of vegetable sheep were carried with great labour from a position 3000 ft up the. steep slopes of Mount Torlesse before they were deposited in the court. Two interesting cases shew the extraordinary methods adopted by some animals for defence, and beautiful casts of Australian _ snakes with implements used for extracting poison. A number of armaria contain specimens of paradise, fishes from China, fighting fishes from Japan, carp and gudgeon from Australia, red-bellied newts from Japan, and other' curiosities, besides some highly interesting aquatic plants. The committee in charge of tho fire brigade competitions to ho held on the sports ground from Tuesday till Saturday next is spending £600 in prizes for the ovonts. Tho committee's total expenditure on tho competitions will amount to over £1200, so that no expense is being spared to make these conlests a success. Visiting firemen to the number of over 800 are now practically all in town. The annual conference, begins to-morrow mcrning, and tho competitions at the Exhibition on Tuesday afternoon. On Tuesday night, there will be a coloured water display on Victoria Lake. On Wednesday the competitions will occupy all the morning and afternoon,-and in the evening a fire rescue act,' "fighting the flames," will bo given in a realistic manner by tho firemen. Other attractive features' will bo held' on succeeding days. • 1 Some objections having been made by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and' some individuals, to the beauty show, which is was proposed to hold in Wonderland on Friday, March 22, in conjunction with the gold rush, and physical • culture competitions, Mr Munro. has- explained that the management of the Exhibition lias not authorised this additional attraction, and the Wonderland authorities have been requested not, to hold 1 it until permission is received. The physical development competition and search for the buried treasure will' tako place, on the date proposed.

(Per United' Fbess Association-.) CHIUSTCHURCH, March 16. Tho projected "beauty show" at Wonderland, at the Exhibition, has been abandoned. Mr H. G. Ell. M.H.R., telegraphed to the Hon. Gr. Fowlds expressing astonishment at the authorities sanctioning such a vulgar, demoralising exhibition as a boauly show, asking: "Is every wholesome sonliment which the people of the colony hold dear to be sacrificed to the craze of moneygctting?" Mr Fowlds replied that tho proposed beauty show was promoted lry the proprietors of Wonderland, and lie was not aware that the .Exhibition authorities had sanctioned it in any way, but ho was making inquiries, THE FIRE BRIGADES' GRIEVANCE. QUESTION OF FREE' ADMISSION. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 15. A deputation waited on Mr G. S. Munro, general manager of tho Exhibition, this morning in reference to the trouble between the firo brigade representatives and. tho Exhibition authorities. The members of the deputation laid particular emphasis on the question of froo admission being granted to competitors. Mr Munro said lie had not power to vary the terms of the original agreement, but he was prepared. to. favourably recommend to the Ggyerprnent tho application for: free admission of. firemen to the Exhibition on certain,lines. He thought it was only just on tho..part of. tho fire brigades that, they should .carry out (heir undertaking to give the oxcit-ing. scene described as "lighting the munos,"--because that was one. of thn main-considerations before tho Government when it agreed to extend to the members of tho -fire brigades a concession equal to £750. ■• •• As a result of' the interview with Mr Munro, tho Fire "Brigades Commiltcc has agreed to givo the 'scene, "fighting tho flames" in terms of the original agreement, and Mi- Munro has, on his part, agreed to favourably recommend to the consideration of tho Minister in charge of tho Exhibition -that all competing firemen and 25 judges, timekeepers, and insnecfors bo granted free admission lo ihe Exhibition on tho four davs—Tuesday to Friday of next week—on which the demonstration | takes place.'