EXHIBITION NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVI, Issue 8683, 16 February 1907, Page 5

EXHIBITION NOTES.

{Special Service.) CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night

The thousandth infant at the Babies' Rest is expected to make its appearance by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, and be on exhibition on the following Thursday. Entries for the Baby Show close next Tuesday

evening,

The first Exhibition Military Tattoo on the Sports Ground lias been the great event of the Exhibition to-day. All day long there was a large attendance, but in the evening an immense multitude filled all the seating and most of the standing accommodation in the Sports Ground, ami crowded every coign of vantage surrounding the enclosure. The night was perfect for the event, and the volunteers were present in good numbers, and the Maoris in all their warpaint. The pah, which formed the object of an attack by the military, was found to be not the pah proper, but an excellent imitation hurriedly constructed on one side of the Sports Ground. The Maoris, armed with rifles, took their stand behind a strong breastwork, with numerous embrasures through which a deadly fire could be poured on the attacking force. At the last moment it was found that the massed Bands, whose parade with torches was to have been a feature of the entertainment, had not put in an appearance. The weather had been damp and threatening in the afternoon, and they were specially anxious to preserve dry and bright their instruments, which they had polished to perfection for tomorrow's contest. The Garrison Band, who turned out with the Volunteers, were left to fill the breach. The Maoris, who were called on to defend their impromptu pah against the military, danced a magnificent hakn of defiance as the two companies chosen for the attack advanced to wards their breastwork. They then fell back on the pah, against which the Volunteers advanced, maintaining a steady rifle fire, and supported by the gun of "E" battery. The Maoris made no reply till the enemy were close upon them, with the Sports Ground fence between, when they poured in such a volley as must have wiped the attacking force out of existence. The Maoris, headed by the Garrrisou Band, then marched round the ground. The Band, and afterwards the Volunteers and West Coast and North Otago Cadets, joined in the march and various movements, which had a very fine effect. Fireworks were sent up at intervals by a representative of Pain and Co. Despite the absence of the Bands, the tattoo may be considered a very great success, and will probably be repeated on another occasion with the assistance of the local Bands.