THE EXHIBITION.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8096, 7 January 1907, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

INCAL6ULABLK EDUCATIONAL VALUE. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. ATTENDANCE GOING UP. (By TeLEGKAI'II. SI'KCIAL loWaIKAIYi Times.) CHRISTCIIURCH. This Day. The attendance at tlie Exhibition on Saturday was making the total for the week 1u3,m1, which well exceeds Christmas week's aggregate of and represents the highest weekly total since the opening week. A large number of the visitors, especially those from Dunedin and Wellington, have bought season tickets duiing the last few days. The chamber music concert by the orchestra on Saturday afternoon was well attended, and it is agreed that the orchestra lias improved twenty , per cent, as much since its members have been playing together. In the evening a popular concert was very successfully given by the orchestra and Miss Phoebe Parsons and Mr W. H. Montgomery. Mr Massey, orgauist of the Bathnrst Cathedral, New South Wales. who gives his first recital on Monday evening, expresses a very high opinion of the Exhibition organ, and says New Zealand is fortunate in possessing two such instruments a.those in the Wellington Town Hall and in the Exhibition. He has not been much accustomed to electrical equipment, but considers it an excellent feature. After hearing the orchestra, Mr Massey says it is a remarkably tine one, and that we are very fortunate in having it here. People's day at the dog show on Saturday was very well attended. Pain's London fireworks can be seen on Monday night, when an elaborate display will be given. The programmes for these displays will be varied on each occasion, and a number of attractive novelties will be shpwn each time. The Besses o' th' Barn Band gives its first performance on Thursi lay night, when the following programme will be rendered : March, " Zea-

iandia," (specially composed for the

band's New Zealand visit by its condnctor, Mr Owen) ; overture, "Poet and Peasant," (Von Tnppe); cornet polka," Cleopatria," (Demare) ; grand selections, Rossini's works; waltz, " Jeunesse Doree " (Wanderteuffer) ; trombone solo, " Death of Nelson " (Brahm); operatic selection " The Geisha" (Henry Jones) ; national fantasia, " Keminiscences of England " (Godfrey); " God Save the King." Next Thursday it is proposed to make bandsmen's day at tlie Exhibition, when six local bands will take part in a reception to the Besses o' th' Barn band |and the Exhibition authorities will give to make|the function as effective and popular as possible. Later on the general manager proposes to organise similar days and nights in connection with the fire brigades, volunteers and friendly societies, and if possible to arrange for an " oldjcolouists* " day. It has now been decided that a

limited number of matinee performances shall be given by the Besses o' ,th' Barn Band in the concert hall and the first of these will take place on next. Wonderland is organising another

of its exciting series of toboggan races for next Wednesday night. This time ladies doubles will be the form taken by the contests, and valuable prizes will be given.

j Mr Donne, Superintendent of the .'Tourist Department, in expressing in . an interview his disappointment that (New Zeaianders, especially school T children, have not made better use of \ the Exhibition said : "As an educa- ( tional institution the value of the Fxhibition is simply uncalculable, ) and I sincerely hope this will be •.realised by every school committee in k.he colony before it is too late." Referring to the love of knowledge and mental alertness which are characteristic of the American nation f and which might be ingrafted with ' advantage on the mind of the young New Zealander, Mr Donne says " For this purpose 1 know of 110 better training ground than the NewZealand International Exhibition. It is to be regretted, of course, that all countries are not so fully and so adequately represented as are New ) South Wales and Canada, still enough is shown to be of great value in broadening the mind and developing the intelligence of all. So far as New Zealand herself is concerned the displays made by many of the Government Departments are wonderfully complete and informative even, to ■ make no mention of private exhibits. If so great an opportunity is missed bv school children from end to end of the colony it will be a matter of lasting regret."