NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1, 5 January 1907, Page 35

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

LARGE HOLIDAY ATTENDANCE. NEW YEAR ATTRACTIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent J CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The attendance at the Exhibition during the five days which ended on Friday night, as recorded by the turnstiles, was 76,614, which is largely in excess of the total for any previous successive six days sine? the first week of the Exhibition’s progress. To-day, again, there was a very large attendance, and the crowds of visitors to the city enjoyed the various entertainments and spectacles of interest which the great show affords. The sports grounds were the scene of an athletic meeting, which was excellently organised by the Pioneer Amatuir Bicycle and Athletic Chib. There was a very good attendance, considering the strong counter-attractions of the cricket match, and some intere-ting contests were witnessed. Great interest is taken by visitors in the splendid collection of pictures in the art gallery, and this part of the Exhibition is always largely patronised. The Hon. W. Kidston (Premier of Queensland) expressed surprise and gratification at the extent of the collection and the excellence of the works comprised. On his return to Queensland he will endeavour to induce the art societies there to make a selection of the pictures on view. Besides the British court. Mr. Kidston was very much impressed with the fine display that is being made by Canada. A chamber music concert this afternoon and an orchestral and vocal concert this evening delighted satisfactory audiences. Although the fire-walkers have now gone, the party of nearly 30 Fijians who came first to the Exhibition still remain, and their entertainments in the form of native songs and dances are always much appreciat d. The Fijians have made numerous friends in Christchurch, whom they entertain 011 “off” occasions with songs and “kava” drinking in the quaint Fijian house which they have built for themselves on the grounds. The Niue Islanders are also a most interesting people, who show much dexterity in making hats and model canoes. “Wonderland” has found its projected floral fete too large an affair to oigauise within a week of the last carnival, and a postponement has been made till Thursday. January 10. There will be no lack of amusements at the Exhibition during the next few weeks. The New Year will l»c welcomed in by a display of Pain’s famous fireworks. starting at half past ten p.m. on Monday. From a position near the Maori pa 18 special displays will b' given by Messrs. Pain and Sons during their Exhibit ion season, and some highly elaborate and dazzling effects are promised. At the Scottish Society’s “gathering of the clans ’ on January 1 and 2 nearly 200 competitors will take part in Highland games and dances, pipe music, solos on the great Highland warpipe, and other distinctive competitions. The great dog show on January 3 and 4 is certain to attract a large attendance. . The approaching band coldest is also bung looked forward to with great interest. Lieutenant Bentley, of Sydney, has been appointed judge of the quickstep marching and selection competitions. and tile North Island Brass Band Association has |»een asked to appoint two other judges for tl»e solo contest.

The Besses* o’ the Barn Band, who arrive on January 10 for their fortnight’s season, attained a unique record in the

history of bands in !8!»2. uhen their victory in the Bellevue contest made them the holders of every challenge cup in Great Britain. Between the years 1884 and 1892 the band competed in 105 contests. with the following results: First prizes 74. second prizes 13, third nine, fourth four, fifth two, tixth one, nil two. In addition they weal 44 special prizes offered in “own select ion” competitions. The Im nd ral - lied off prizes to the value of £1504, and in the test piec' competitions prizes to the amount of £1490. Out of 58 successive competitions they took 46 first prices and 25 specials against all the leading bands of the United Kingdom.