THE EXHIBITION.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8051, 7 November 1906, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

- - -♦- A DISAPPOINTING ATTENDANT lv J SIR JOHN GORST AND THE MAORIS. i CHRISTCHURCH, This day. " 'l'lic attendances at the Exhibition, and concerts are disappointing. Outdoor amusements are well patronised and other side shows are being erected. Canada lias a most attractive exhibit and the Premier spent a couple of Injurs in that court yesterday inspecting it in detail. The meyoral banquet was held last night. Sir John Hall was indisposed and was unable to be present and the Deputy-Mayor presided. Over 150 guests were present, including the Governor, Sir Joseph, Ward, Bishop Julius, (he Speakers of both Houses and Sir John Gorst. Replying to the toast of Parliament, Sir Joseph Ward said the Parliament of New Zealand recognised the importance of the work it had before it. It recognised that the retpiirementS of the country were such as to test the utmost capacity of eve>y man sent to the House. Members recognised the necessity of tying close the bonds of the Empire. They recognised that New Zealand must concern itself in regard to events beyond its own shores, events that but a few years ago would have been regarded as altogether beyond its sphere. The colony's finances for seven months of the year were very gratifying, shouting an excess of £:ii»I,(JUU over a similar period of 1905. Sir John Gorst, the British representative, who had known the Maoris in the early days had a great reception at the pah yesterday. The party were taken in the canoe " Warrior's Crest" on a cmise round the lake, the rowers accompanying their efforts with a canoe song of old times. It was a magnificent sight to see the stately Maori barge, with paddles flashing in perfect time, shooting gracefully along over the sunlit lake laden with the King's envoy, who was known to the Maori in his savage state half a century ago. Hundreds of people rushed from the Exhibition and the whirling side shows to witness the novel sight. It was a spectacle not likely to be repeated often in days to come.