EXHIBITION NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVI, Issue 8695, 1 March 1907, Page 5

EXHIBITION NOTES.

[Special Service.) CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. The Hawke's Bay Maoris gave the best entertainment that has been seen for some time in the pah this afternoon. The. temporary stockade within the pah was defended by one party of Natives, and the attacking force crossed tho lake in a big war canoe, which holds about sixty rowers, to assault their stronghold. There was no general engagement, but the two champions of the rival forces engaged in an exciting conflict outside the rough fortification, which was thereupon declared to be taken. The Natives then gave some magnificent performances of hakas and war dances, and the women danced two poi dances very gracefully. Another sham fight and combined exhibition of dances will be given on Saturday. The Besses-o'tli'-Barn Band gave their first performances of the. return season on the Sports Ground this afternoon and oevcning. before large attendances. During the progress of the Exhibition there have never been so many cadets in camp by about one-third as there are at present. The Wairarapa boys took their departure to-day, and were at once succeeded by a small army of 550 new-comers, consisting of No. 2 Battalion Hawke's Bay cadets, numbering 312 of all ranks, under Major Stevens; 191 boys of the Westport Battalion, under Major Neves; and the Weraroa School boys and a band to the number of fortyseven. The lads enjoyed a good passage from the North, and were especially well-cared for on the steamer. Mr Mnuro has not abandoned his idea of holding a football tournament before the close of the Exhibition. His suggestion is that all the principal senior teams in New Zealand should be invited to take part, and that handsome trophies should be offered. He further suggested a cash contribution towards travelling expenses of each team on the following scale: — Auckland teams to the amount of £20; teams from Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North, £15 ; Wellington and Dilnedin teams, £10; Southland teams, £15; and West Coast, £15. Mr Munro thinks it hardly fair that teams should be asked to put themselves to great expense to provide a magnificent entertainment for which the Exhibition would reap the benefit, and as he understands that the teams would not be allowed to compete for cash prizes, it appears to him that no sporting rule ought to be infringed by this proposal to defray expenses. There is practically no limit to the curious contents which will be emitted in the mid-air by the Japanese and English shells to be exploded in the course of the daylight fireworks at the Exhibition on Saturday afternoon. Among the list are fighting cocks, horses and riders, devil-fish, full-dressed ladies, writhing serpents, golden butterflies, and an exhibition of grotesque and monster balloons will also be a feature of this iinique display.