THE EXHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1924, 6 November 1906, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Christchurch, last night Police otlioors questioned are of opinion that tho Exhibition has not attracted ,tho nutubor of questionable characters it was expocted to do, and state that the pooplo iiavo boon unquestionably quiot and ordorly.

One of tho authorities questioned ns to Sunday opening, replied that be did not think there was much chanco of that, as a d cision had boon arrived at against it. Lcrsoually, ho favored opening on Sunday afternoon and in tho oarly part of tho evening, though not for tho side shows.

Tho absonco of drinking fountain! is causing great inconvenionco inside and outside tho Exhibition. The attendance during Saturday totalled 1-1,082, Up to Saturday night season tickets of the value of £7OOO wore sold, over £2OO worth being sold that day. A largo proportion of tho visitors on Saturday afternoon were school children. In the evening there was a great crush, and all the avenues were thronged, the art gallery', fornory, concert hall, and Maori pa being the special attractions, while tho side shows did huge buduoss. The opening day takings at the Exhibit! m amounted to £ i 20, and up to Saturday evening about ,-£ISOO had been taken. Tho first arrests in the building took place on Saturday night, whou six youths were arrested for pilfering from stalls, The police have reason to believe other cases of pilfering are occurring, and vigorous steps will be taken to put it down. The New Zealand Government’s Agri-

cu'tual Department's eshibifi is nos yet complete, bus will bo one whioh will nstrad much atlcnlioD, The exhibit has been arranged purely with the view to educational effect aod the dissemination of praolical knowledge, and every seoiion haa been equipped with an eyo to utility, the m-rely aoieDtifio aspeot being disregarded, la furtherance of this objsoS arrangements aro being hurried on so give praciiotl demoussralions in such aubj.ois aa not only ooooarn the prosperity of she agricultural and pastoral imeresia of tho co.ony dirtclly, but which also deai with minor bui kindred aubjecis, aucb as fruit and bee ouliure, and the great possibilities of the colony in regard to she successful competition in tbo markeis of the world in she manufacture of light wines. With these objsots in view the resources of She State farms and experimental stations have been ransacked for demonstrative evidence of the cffeci of these, made in vari oua direotioop, not only for the prevention of disease in crops, fruits, and every output of the soil, but for the improvement and better cultivation of existing standards. The display is a most comprehensive one, and includes a collection of fruits

from different fruit producing centres of the colony,"apiary ■ arppmm W- end samples of honey from all over the world to enable bee-keepers to compare local products with those against which they have to compete on the European markets. Eruit of all kinds attacked by posts, an extensive collection showing fungoid io v birth crops r.nd orchards arcliable. Samples of potatoes, spraying materials up-to-date. Poultry raising, appliances for poultry houses and brooder houses. New Zcrland vines and wines, hothouse grapes and grapes grown in the open. Samples of Now Zealand flax of all grades. Cereals, Wattle bark from the experimental station in Waikato, Grasses, farm seeds, noxious weeds peculiar to various classes of land, Mohair from fleeces of Angora goats, Canned fruit and appliances for its preparation. An apiary of 40 hives ; and many photographs of grasses, plants, etc. The Canadian Government exhibit occupies a floor space of 140,000 feet, and is among the most imposing in the building. It is divided into four sections, viz., the

minerals, paint produce, grain produce, and manufactures. In each department the display is imposing, and the court is attracting much attention.

SATISFACTORY ATTEND AN CE,

MORE COMPLAINTS, PRESS ASSOCIATION Christchurch, last night. Notwithstanding the races the attendance at the Exhibition on Saturday was considerably over 14,000. Saturday’s total was over 8000 in advance of the previous day’s aggregate, and in the three days that the Exhibition has been open no fewer than 68,000 have passed the gates. A portion of the illuminations went out on Saturday evening. The lighting has so far been erratic, though when it is perfect at intervals it is a magnificent display. For some reason or other the attendance at the first popular concert on Saturday evening was not large, though au execiient programme was provided, Tho races to-day militated against the attendance during tho afternoon, but in the evening there was a large attendance. Complaints still continue about the lack of means of finding any particular court or section of the Exhibition.

It is difficult to get specific information from the office, as the officials appear to have more than they can do to cover routine work.

It was decided to-day that the statement of receipts should not be allowed to be made public in future, The Star to-night in a leading article, condemns the making of a charge for visiting the Picture Gallery, Concert Hall, and Maori Pah. Theso extra charges, it says, will end in limiting visits to the Exhibition merely to the avenue and grounds. “Here too,” continues the Star, “he is, 1 squeezed.’ He cannot use tho lavatories except on payment of a fee, and a high fee at that, and ho cannot even make use of one of the seats in the grounds without paying for the privilege. It will not be surprising if lie shortly begins to fight shy of tho Exhibition.” Apart from drawbacks such as have been mentioned, and others of a kindred character which it is hoped will bo shortly remedied, the public are delighted with the great International Fair,