THE EXHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2023, 7 March 1907, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, lust night. The fruit and dahlia show, which opened in tho Exhibition this afternoon, and will be continued to-day, is stated by leading horticulturists to bo much the largest and host that has ever been held in tho colony. Porlmps tho principal feature of the show is the magnificent display of fruit thoro is in this section. Tho most marked advance is noticeable in the' collections sent for exhibition only. Tho fine collection of apples and pears sent from Central Otago is quite a feature of tho show. In tlie section for pot aplants tho oxliidits aro of a very high standard, and competition was keen. The groups aro effective and well displayed. A striking feature of the show is tho particularly fine color of much of the fruit, caused doubtless by the dry season. Sevonty-sovon cases, or practically one ton of golden eliassclas grapes, arrived in perfect condition at the Exhibition to-day from tho Government’s experimental station at Waoringa, in tho Waikato. Half wero placed on exhibition, and half sold to tho concessionaire for the salo of fruit in the building, who retailed them at 6d per pound to tho public as fast as he could unpack the boxes.

Tho wire flower show' though it attracted hundreds of visitors, was only ono of many attractions at the Exhibition to-day. The orchestra gave concerts afternoon and evening in the concert hall to a big attendance, and the Besses o’ the. Barn Band had a largo audience on the sports ground in tho afternoon, but the evening saw the principal attraction of tho day in the form of a com-, bined outdoor concert by tho Besses o’ the Barn Band, the display of fireworks by representatives of Pain and Sons at night, was perfect for both events ; and there was an enormous crowd to gratify the double enjoyment of eyes and ears. A collossal portrait of the late Mr. Seddon was a feature of the fireworks display. The portrait was a remarkably close likeness, and was loudly cheered by the immense crowd. The total attendance at the Exhibition to-day was 16,569, which makes the aggregate to date 1,418,665. Over 200 entries have been received for the pet show in Wonderland on Friday. The motor gymkhana fixed for' Saturday afternoon will commence with a parade* of motor cars through the city, and will include many novel events in the sports ground, <tn conjunction with the gymkhana, also a concert will be given by the Besses o’ the Barn Band.

Elaborate preparations are being made for the international lire brigades competitions, to be held from the 18th to the 23rfl inst, which are expected to rival the recent Band Contest in attendance, interest, and importance. The Easter holidays will be made a very attractive period at the Exhibition. Tho Southern Union and Alhambra Football Clubs, of Dunedin, and also the Wellington Club, have definitely arranged to play off their annual matches with the local clubs at Easter on the Exhibition sports ground, -and several other games aro expected to take place there. A special fireworks display will bo given at Easter, and the United Bands of Hope demonstration ' n Easter Alonday, in which tho c.elcgates to the New Zealand Teinpe' - - anco Conference to be held in Christchurch at that time will take part, should prove a very popular function.