The Exhibition.

Southland Times, Issue 10966, 18 February 1907, Page 2

The Exhibition.

(By Telegraph.—Special Service,! CHIUBTSHURCH, Feb. 17. Despite continuous heavy showers of rain, the Exhibition on Saturday attracted an attendance of 14,004, bringing the total for the week to oyer* 90,000, and moiling the aggregate to date 1,229,S6l. The quickstep competition proved the most attractive feature of the band contest. The performance by the combined bands, which was to have taken place on the sports ground could not be held there, owing to. the rain ;• but about four bands played together in the main corridor in the presence of a very large audience. The presentation of cash prizes and medals to the successful bands and bandsmen took place in the main avenue in the evening. Mr Munro, before presenting the prize*, in a short speech congratulated the successful competitors and expressed his sympathy with those who were unsuccessful. He thanked them all on behalf of the Exhibition for participating in the contest and assisting to make that feature of the Exhibition the success it hod been.

At the Ministerial stepper given to the visiting bandsmen on Friday night, Lieut Bentley, judge of the grand selection and quickstep competitions, paid a high tribute to the orchtstra, which was, ha said, in his opinion, the finest thing In the Exhibition. The Government deserved the thanks of the whole colony for bringing together such a magnificent body of players, which, ho hoped, oil centre* ol the colony would he afforded an opportunity to hear. The presence of the orchestra would cover quite a multitude of sius of omission, if such existed. The Hon. Mr McGowan, In replying to the toast of "the Exhibition," said that the fact that it was in such a forward state when it opened was due to the ability and energy of the General Manager (Mr Munro) who had been a tower of strength tietweeu the Government and the Committees. Mr Munro had the welfare ol the Exhibition at heart, and it was mainly due to his efforts that the undettoklng had turned out such a success. The Minister also paid a high tribute to the excellent work, currii-d o l ' l liv the various committees.

The Hawke’s Bay natives at the Pa are expected to return home early this week. They will be succeeded by a detachment of about forty ol their fellow tribesmen, whose visit will he succeeded about Marcli 20th by that of a contingent of Uairarapa natives, fifty or sixty strong. The visit of Xgatiporou Maoris will probably not take place till near the end of the Exhibition, as most of them are too busily engaged to get away, before then.

The first display of daylight fire works, which proved a great success at St, I.ouis Exhibition, will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 1. It octets and bombs are fired from mortars, and wiien they burst,, instead of the usual coloured fires, -small flags, parachutes, fishes, birds, and all manlier of other things, are set floating in the air. The displays are socially attractive ta children and arrangements are being made for special trains to transport the Utile people from all convenient places. This Is a form of dalertainment absolutely new in NT/-.- , and the general manager anticipates that if will draw the greatest gathering of children ever seen in the colony. There will ho no charge lor admission to the day fireworks display. The principal attractions for .this week at the Exhibition are another free grand display of fireworks on Wodniesday night, a Imljy show on Thursday, and the N-'/j. Amateur Athletic Association sports on Thursday and Saturday. The final display of fireworks will he given cm the ’ ight of Easter Monday, when a specially extensive an(3 elaborate exhibition will be given, as Mr White, representative of. Pain and Sons, London, intends to fire off then his entire remaining slock of fireworks before his return to England.