THE EXHIBITION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1130, 18 May 1911, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

SOME OF THE ATTRACTIONS. It was a dull day yesterday, but the weather had littlo effect on tho small army of workmen engaged in the Coronation Exhibition. Under tho influence of the past fortnight's activity, the interior of both of these huge buildings hae completely lost its identity, and one can now, with tho exercise of a little imagination, judge ]io>v tho big show will look a week hence. "Will it bo ready, do you think?" out representative asked Mr. Ballingor yesterday. "Heady—of course it will; I've neves seen an exhibition so ready a week before the opening. I would like every exhibitor to have his exhibit quite ready by Tuesday evening next, and trust they will spare no effort to that end. Of course, there are bound to be two or three who for various reasons cannot get to a finish by that time, but they all ought to bo ready, by Wednesday afternoon." Splendid work has been done with the erection of the grand stairway and platforms that are to give admission to the Sports Stadium. These have been eroded between the two big stores, and are already roofed in. When they are lighted, people passing from one building to tho other will never know they are- out of the building proper. Tho Stadium, which promises to be the centre of attraction to those interested in sport, is now Mug covered with "Malt.hoid," which is calculated to saften tho "tread" for the runners, who are to engage in the various sports. It lias already been definitely arranged that there will l>2 a sports meeting in tho Stadium on Wednesday ovening next—the opening night. On tho succeeding Saturday a bowling tournament will be held. Tho secretary of, tho Exhibition has received a letter' from tho private secretary of his Excellency the Governor, stating that his Excellency had l>3cn pleased to grant authority to the Exhibition Commissioners to erect the Hoyal coat-of-arms over tho main entrance to the exhibition. In view of tho possibility of holding t grand iiav.nl night in the Stadium, Commander Wemyss, of H.M.S. Cambrian, was written to for information as to what warships were likely to be in port about Coronatien time. Commander Wemyss has written in reply that the Cambrian, will bo in Wellington from Juno 12 to 2G, and H.M.S. Pioneer, now in the south, would be in Wellington .from June 1 until aftor the Coronation (Juno 22). Mr. J. Harrison, physical culturist, has written, to tho committee proposing an "All Nations" Pageant, to be held in tho Stadium on Coronation night (Thursday, June 22). In the pageant he proposes .to arrange, somo CO or VO people would take part. The Y.M.C.A. has offered to givo two gymnastic displays during the exhibition. 'Mr. L. R. .Partridge, ono of the Exhibition Commissioners, has offered to donate a silver cup for an athletic competition to lie determined by the committee.; Messrs. Marryatt and Partridge waited on tho Wellington Boxing Association on Monday evening, with tho proposal that tho association should hold an amateur boxing tournament in the' Stadium during tho exhibition. The _ members, of ;the council of the association viewed the Stadium yesterday afternoon, and will decide to accept tho invitation or otherwise at a future meeting. The sports secretary (Mr. Allen, jun.)" has written to tho Wellington. Lawn. Tennis Association asking if a covered court tournament could not he arranged, on the lines of those in England. It ie suggested that the tournament (to be held under tho rules of the Australasian Union) sliQuld include a covered court championship for both sexes, and a handicap singles for ladies and men. If this could be arranged, it would bo the first covered court championships to take place in New Zealand, if not in Australasia. Scoutmaster H. N. M'Leod has signified his intention of assisting in any way in his power in a Boy Scout rally, t» be lield in the Stadium somo time in July. Arrangements are well in hand for tho display of electric appliances, etc., which the City Council intends to mako at the Coronation Exhibition. Tho latest modern electric heating arrangements will form a prominent part of the display. Lately the council has gone in for manufacturing stoves itself, and to date they hnvo about two dozen completed, and these will be exhibited. An instructress will be present to do cooking and ironing for the nurnoses of the disnlay. A special bath wafcr-henter, and tlie latest in tho way ef radiators, and other noveltics, will also bo displayed. A meter will bo placed alongside the stoves to show tlie public the actual power required to heat the stoves. STADIUM SPORTS. The athletic committee has decided that the 50 yards football championship will be open only to Rugby and Association football players, but us applications havo been received from hockey and lacrosse players to compete in "tho above event, tho committee will place a like race on a" later'programme for these players. It was decided that the number of members to a tug-of-war team be eight, and that each pull be limited to 15 minutes. The committee-'has instructed the secretary to obtain n. set of hurdles with a view of placing event's of this nature on future meetings to be held during the exhibition.