THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8320, 28 December 1906, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

"A GATHERING PLAGE OF NATIONS."

THE MILITARY TOURNAMENT.

(Special to tbe Ago).

UHRISTOUURCH, Deo. 27

| Tbe Exhibition ia now eojoying halcyon days. The Christmas inrush of visitors baa quite come up to expectations, and the city is at present full of strangers. (Jlofb nu l.'jOO visitors arrived from the North Dy the fc.sr boats on Sunday, ;siid the incoming numbers have been well sustained since. Tbe Exhibition is at present "a gatbema placo of nations," and some of the races represented are pio'uresque in the extreme. Witboat mentiouSgg" tbe Australasian and other visitors to the city, and the volunteers from ail parts of the colony, and also from Melbourne and Adelaide} who hove been taking part in the military tonrnament, there are camped in tbe spacious -grounds, Maoris, Oook Islanders, Niue islanders and Fijians affording a unique opportunity for racial study. When ttfo or more of these races give ex hibitions of their sougs and dances together, as at intervals they do, the result is especially interesting. This afternoon the Premier {Sir Joseph Ward), and the Hnn. J. Kids-:on, (Premier of Queensland), were among the afct«ndauoe at a combined entertainment given in , the Maori Pah by the poi dancers from the Turekina Maori Girl's School, and tlie C'ojk Islanders. The Ratatongaa hava a marked talent for singing, and their quaint, sweet action songs are always maoh admired, while the dances of the Turakina girls have boon a most attractive feature. The attendance at the Exhibition on Boxing Day, despite numerous couoter-atrautions, was 21,652, and to day again there has been an Immense orovrd of .visitors.

The military tournament, for wbicb over u thousand entries were receive 1 from all parts of New Zealand, and also , from Adelaide aud Melbourne, hss been the great event of tbe last two days. The competitions covered the whole ranee of volunteer work Rod theirspectacular interest - was only eqaalle/1 by the immense value they must prove to every volunteer «vho took part in or even witnessed the events. The Viotorian garrison Artillery won a number of prizes to-day. Tbotr work is very clean, aud neat, and had great merits. The splendid work of tbe Wellington City Hides in tbe infantry drill and physical exercise has also reneiveJ high rrniia. The competitions were arlmiraoly managed.

Wonderland, -which has always been a most attractive adjunct to the Exhibition, has branched off lately into novel experiments in the way of entertainments wbicb bnre proved remarkably successful. The latest was a orowded carnival to-night, of which toboggan racing was the unique feature. Tobogganing is an excitiDg sport at any time, and when the element of rivalry is addeel its fascinations is greatly Increased., There were., large, entries for these novel races to-night, .'prizes of four aad two guineas being awarded to the winders. Wonderland carnivals are destined to prove an important feature of the Exhibition entertainments. There will be no lartk of strong attractions at the Exhibition in tbe immediate future. A great dag show is to be held on January 3rd and 4tb. Lirge entries bave been received from all parts of the colony, and also from Australia. Extensive preparations havu been made for this event, which Should prove an unprecedented attraction to all v those interested in dogs.

The Besses o' th' Barn Band, which oomes to us with a reputation uuique in the world, will arrive on January 10th. In view of the enormous nudienoes that are expected the band performances, extending over a fortnight, will be given oa the Exbifcitiun apotts ground. Another most exceptional attraction will be afforded by'£a pV fireworks (Lohdoo), tbe firat display of which will be given on New Year's Eve. The Scottish sports wMI be held on the Ist and 2nd. These should prove nnpreoedenterlly important gatherings of their kind.