AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8831, 18 January 1907, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House was well patronised last night in 6pite of counter attractions. The current programme vrae fully appreciated, and will be repeated tonight, and the usual change will be lnade'to-morrowV "^ • "■'"•' THE EXHIBITION. •,* : ; WONDERLAND CARNIVAL. Last night there was the largest crowd in [Wonderland that lias ever been within its gates at on© time, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the gatekeepers could cope with the vast numbers of people, in' fact, for a long time after eight o'clock they gave up the task, and the crowd simply seethed and fumed round the entrance gates in a vain struggle to all get in at once. Finally, however, everybody did get in, and the various side-shows- did a splendid trade hour after hour. The stage had been m.uch improved in appearance since the last fete, and a number of forms arranged in tlie form of a theatre, so that seats could be bought within good view of the variety entertainment f urhished. At 9.30 punctually Demos took his sensational flight down the water chute on a bicycle, much to the delight of the crowd. It was .however, the Fight with the Flames " item for which everybody held back their enthusiasm, and this was really a most vivid and sensational affair. The whole of the tresaelwork of the toboggan had been built up in the form of a seven-storey house, with numerous windows, and through this the flames and smoke poured in the most realistic way-, the realism being heightened by the attendance of the local Fire Brigade. From the top storey a frightened woman was rescued by a gallant fireman, who wa£ heartily cheered by the crowd as he scaled the walk of the burning building ; and when he took his aerial flight along a taut, wire from the top or the house into the lake itself, suspending himself by the feet on, the wire rope, and the woman in his teeth, the crowd's enthusiasm knew no bounds, and they wildly cheered what was really a remarkably well-carried-out and sensational item. The following prizes were awarded: — Floral costume — Miss "P. Brown and Mr K. Smith. The Honeysuckle and the Bee, 1 (lOgs); Miss Newman, Carnations and Sweet Peas, 2 (sgs) : Miss Hopkinson, Wonderland, 3 (2gs) ; Miss Lillie Chapman, The Buttercup, 4 (lg). Best decorated bicycle — Miss F. Hudson, 1 (3gs); Miss W. Andrews, 2 (lg)- ___ — —