TH EEXHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1966, 29 December 1906, Page 3

TH EEXHIBITION.

HALCYON DAYS

Press Association,

CILIUSTCILURCII, last night. Tim Exhibition is now enjoying halcyon days. The Xmas inrush ol visitors Ims quite conus up to expectations, ami the city is at present I full of strangers. Hose on LoOO j vistors arrived from the North by the I four boats on Sunday, and the iueomI ing numbers have been well sustained since. The Exhibition is at present a gathering place of nations, and some of the races represented are picturesque in the extreme. Without mentioning tlm Australian and other visitors to the ‘city, and the volunteers from all parts of flu' colony, and also from Melbourne and Adelaide, who have been taking part in the military tournament, there are ramped on the spacious grounds Maoris, Cook Islanders. Niue Islanders. and Fijians, affording an unique opportunity for racial study. When two or more of these races give an exhibition, as of their songs and dances together, as at intervals they do, tlm result is ('specially interesting.

This afternoon the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward) and the Hon. O. Kidston. Premier of Queensland, were among those who attended at a combined entertainment given in tlm Maori pub by the Pol dancers from the Turkakina .Maori Girls’ School, and the Cook Islanders. The Raratongans have a marked talent for singing, and their quaint, sweet action songs are always much apprecition songs arc always much admired, while the dances of the Turakimi girls prove a most attractive' feature.

The attendance at tlm Exhibition on Boxing Day, despite numerous counter attractions, was 24.652, and to-day again there has beep an immense crowd of visitors. .

The military tournament, for which over a thousand entries were received from all parts of New Zealand. and also from Adelaide and Melbourne, lias been the great event of the last two days. The competitions covered the whole range of volunteer work, and their spectacular interest was only equalled by the immense value they must prove to every volunteer who took part in or even witnessed the events. The Victoria Garrison Artillery won a number ; i prizes to-day. Their work is very clean and neat, and lias great spectacular merits. Tile splendid work of the Wellington City Rifles in the infantry drill and physical exercises has also received much praise. The competitions were admirably managed. ‘•Wonderland,” which has always been a most attractive adjunct to tile Exhibition, lias branched off lately into novel.experiments in the way of entertainments which have proved remarkably successful. The latest was a crowded carnival to-night, of which toboggan racing was the unique feature. Tobogganing is an exciting sport at any time, and when the element of rivalry is added its fascination is greatly increased. There were large entries for these novel races to-night, and prizes of four and ten guineas being awarded to the winners. Wonderland's carnivals are destined to prove an important feature of the exhibition entertainment.

There will be no lack of strong attractions at the Exhibition in the immediate future. There is to be a great dog show on January 3 and 4. J,arge entries have been received from all parts of the colony, and also from Australia. Extensive preparations have been made for this event, which should prove an unprecedented attraction to all those interested in dogs.

The Besses of the Barn Band, which comes to us with a reputation unique in the world, will arrive on January 10. Then, in view of the enormous audiences that are expected, the Band performances, extending over a fortnight, will be given on the Exhibition Sports Ground. Another most exceptional attraction will be afforded by Pain’s fireworks (London),- the first display of which will be given on New A'enr’s Eve.

The Scottish Sports on the Ist and 2nd also should prove unprecedentedly important gatherings of their kind,