THE EXHIBITION.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8100, 11 January 1907, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

THE ISLAND VISITORS. A MUSICAL REVELATION. (By Telegeaph.—Special service.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Mr James Allen, the leading Opposition member of the House of Representatives, has formed highly favourable opinions of the Exhibition, as the result of his visit. " The | interesting part of the Exhibition to me," he said, in au interview, " has been the Canndian, Fijian and British courts, the British court especially, from its valuable statistical information and information about schools in the Mother Country. The Picture Gallery too, is very interesting and ■ lam very glad to know that we have in this colony secured so many of these pictures. I think the Aquarium is worthy of special mention. It seems to me to be excellently got up and the Department deserves every credit. I think it is one of the best New Zealand exhibits in the Exhibition. I do not think enough has h been made of the Agricultural Department's experimental plots of grasses etc. They seem to me to be a very valuable lesson to those who are on the laud." The Besses o' the Barn Baud arrived from north yesterdav, and was met by a large crowd at the Christchurch railway station. The band welcomed on behalf of the Exhibition, and was escorted to its hotel by the Garrison Band. In the afternoon the band was formally welcomed at the Exhibition concert hall, there being a large attendance of the public to witness the proceedings. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr ' Pay ling, apologised for the absence through indisposition of the Mayor. Sir John Hall, and extended an official welcome to the Band. Mr G. T. Booth also spoke on behalf of the Executive Commissioners. Mr A. Owen, the conductor, suitably responded. The Exhibition orchestra then rendered a choice programme yof high class numbers, all of which were enthusiastically received and encored. The Cook Islanders gave their last performance yesterday, before leaving for the North Island on their way back home, and the Maoris of the Pa assisted them with poi dances and and hakas. The songs of the Cook 4 Islanders and the dances of the Maoris were all excellently given, and no less than 1100 spectators enjoyed the varied programme. At the conclusion of the performance the Cook Islanders, through Dr. Buck, who acted as interpreter, expressed their gratitude for the kindness they had received during their stay joat the Exhibition, and the appreciation with which their singing was received. They leave for the North Island to-day. Contingents of Wanganui and East Coast natives are expected to arrive shortly to giye dances at the Pa. In the meantime a number of Wanganui and Ngai Taha Maoris give very clever representations of both hakas and poi dances. The Fijians, whose departure for Dnnedin has been postponed till Tuesday, gave a performance yesterday afternoon before a very large attendance.

A tremendous crowd visited the Exhibition last evening, attracted by the first performance of the Besses o' th' Barn Band, which was played to the Exhibition sports ground by half a dozen local bands. There was a very large attendance on the sports ground and the quality of the Band's music was a revelation to local bandsmen and music lovers, while the popular nature of the programme added to the delight of the general public. •It was agreed that no such band music had been heard' here before, and that the combination fully deserved its unique reputation.