NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2778, 3 May 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

(from our special correspondent). At last we see the end of our exhibition looming in the near future, and very great disturbance it is causing among all ages and classes of folks, though perhaps more particularly so among the young men and maidens, who are dolefully wondering " what are they going to do when there is no exhibition." It will be missed as a rendezvous at night, when

friends arranged to meet "under the dome." The wonderful rides on the switchback will be missed, which are all too short, and which need such careful attention from the companion of the young lady who is enjoying it. The Eiffel Tower, with its opportunities for a quiet ' 1 talk" with a friend, will be greatly missed, too. The fernery, with its " dim religious light," the quiet and jovial meetings at the Kiosk and Nathans' for tea, the Jenolan caves, with their many wonders, the pleasant time spent with the Myers', or Fletcher's or Scott's, the testing of the Australian wines, the picture gallery that never failing pleasure, and then the concerts ! They of themselves have been an immense treat, both tho orchestral and choral concerts have been treats which Dunedin is not likely to have again for many a long day. All these things, how are they to bo made up for during tbo dreary winter months. Answer me that!

Santley's two last concerts on Monday and Tuesday wore fully as successful as the former ones, the Hall being packed as usual, although at the last Mr Storkwell was so unwell as to have to leave his song unfinished. Tho Dominican Convent pupils gave a most creditable entertainment on Friday including some tublenx vivants, representing scenes in the life of Marie Antoinnette. Miss Howell and others showed their most excellent training in both local and instrumental music.

On Saturday night the choir and orchestra gave their final concert—a pleWi>cite concert. All the items for which were chosen by vote of the public. It was a most successful affair.

But outsiders little guess the great trouble the music and the committee deputed to look after it have been. Here is a specimen of the secretary's notion of business—" Mr Sautley was engaged to sing nine or ten nights at the Exhibition at the option of the Executive, with a penalty in case of default. The übiquitous •feneval manager, however, observed that Mr Santley had arranged to leave the day after giving bis eighth concert. He promptly enquired into it (for, of course, every concert given by Mr Santley meant £50 or £100 in the shareholders' pockets), and was told by Mr Santley's agent: "Oh, we havo been excused the other two nights !" " Who by ?" "Mr Israel (secretary to the Music Committee) and Mr Hastings (secretary to the Exhibition)," Mr Joubert politely intimated that these two gentlemen had nothing to do with the matter, and that Mr Santley must sing at least once more or pay his penelty. Ultimately it was arranged that, to save appearances, a requsition was to be got up, asking Mr Santley to sing once more on his return from Oamaru and he would consent to do so. The little farce was gone through, Mr Santley is singing to-night (Tuesday) to a crowded audience, and the Exhibition is fully £100 better off, owing to Mr Joubert's astuteness. The Music Committee has put its foot into it over the ball too. They thought the choir should have a ball all to itself, and entirely under their management, and when this was refused they become very aggressive, Mr Joubert offered them 400 free invitations to the members of the choir, for the great commissioner's ball on Monday next. The Music Committee refused tlie offer in the most insulting way, and would not allow the offer even to be put before the choir at all. They even went so far as to express their utter disregard of whether their action injured the commissioners' ball or not. Their spleen has recoiled on their own heads, however, for when they arranged to get up a Cinderella dance ou Wednesday next and wheedled_ £25 out of the executive in aid of it, many members of the choir who had heard

of their conduct took umbrage. The consequence was that when Mr Israel called a meeting of the choir to make final arrangenvs and to receive their tickets, less than 100 out of 400 members accepted tickets, so those who know tell

Tho orchestra has also beeu somewhat 'igh and 'aughty latterly, but their airß and graces were cut short by tho whole orchestra being summarily (lismi-sed on Saturday last. Arrangements have been made to carrv on the music this week with tho aid of the Dunedin Garrison Band and a number of amateurs.

Yet another squabble is in progress. Wheu the Exhibition was about to open, to save trouble to the exhibitors, the Kx« hibition people paid harbour dues and sundry othei little sums for them. Accounts have been rendered every month but no notice was takeu. Last week a circular was sent to every defaulter warning him that no exhibit could be paoked, sold or removed, until the accompanying account had been liquidated. Such a turmoil as this produced you never heard. A man named Arthur Day, who is in charge of a few British exhibits and who owes, I am told 13s Gd, is specially violent, and solemnly warned Mr Joubert that "that circular had damned New Zealand for ever in the eyes of Great Britain !" How's that for high ?

The London Exhibition scheme is progressing amain. Mr Geo. Fisher, member for Wellington South and late Minister for Education, is taking a warm interest in it. A "round robin "in favour of the proposal is being got up amongst the Otago members and will be sent to the Premier. Several members of the Upper House have also declared in favour of it.