THE EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2548, 8 June 1882, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

There was a good attendance of the public at the Exhibition both afternoon and evening yesterday. The promoters have reoeived the following letter from Sir William Fitzherbert, Speaker of the Legislative Council, in answer to their invitation to inspect the Exhibition :—'• Wellington, June sth.—Gentlemen, —l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated June Ist, and am much obliged for the courtesy of your invitation to inspect the International Exhibition in Christohurcb, of which you are the enterprising promoters. Muob as I should personally desire to avail myself of your invitation, I am entirely in this respect in the hands o:.' the Legislative Council, with whom the question at present rest* under consideration. I have, &c, Wm. Fitzhebbbbt, Speaker of the Legislative Council." It is anticipated, however, that both Houses will, before the Exhibition closes, take an opportunity of inspecting the various exhibits collected in the building. Owing to the short days making the hour of closing at present, viz., 5 p.m., both inconvenient to the public and to the exhibitors, the promoters have therefore decided that on and after Monday next the Exhibition shall be open at ten o'clock in the morning, closing at four o'clock in the afternoon. Last night a moat enjoyable concert, indeed, one of the best of the season, was given in the concert hall by Signor Oarmini Morley, assisted by several of his pupils and the Austrian Band, under Herr Kahout. The programme, which was a well selected one, opened with an overture, crisply played by the band. Madame Morlay, who was in fine voice, sang, the seer,a " Vashti" vary nicely indeed. Miss A. Spensley rendered the brindiei "II Lepeto," from " Lucrezia Borgia," excellently. It was deservedly enojred, and responded to by a repeat of the last verse, which was also admirably rendered. Signor Morley achieved a decided triumph in his singing of " Thou art so near," which wont splendidly, eliciting loud and continued applause ana an enthusiastic redemand. The band followed with a fantasia, which was well played, and the first part closed with a duet by the Misses Spensley from " Semiramide," in which the voices blended excellently, and the pieco throughout was fairly well sung, but the accompaniment in part was a little out, particularly in the concluding part of the duet. The second part commenced with the overture, " Pique Dame," whioh was very troll rendered by the band. Signor Carmini Morley then sang " The Death of Nelson" in a utyle evoking loud app'ause, whioh was certainly well deserved, as this very difficult song wus rendered in a truly artistic manner. It was encored and responded to with the last verse. Mddame Mcrley sang the well-known waltz song " II Bacio " very nicely, and was encored. Miss J. Spensley's rendition of the cava tin a from " Trov&tore " wa« most artistically given, and received due appreciation from the sudienoe, who were loud in the expressions of their approval. A duet from "II Trovatore " by Madame and Signor Morley, and the National Anthem by the full band, closed a very excellent concert.

There was a meeting of skaters last night in the promoters' room, when it was decided to hold a skating contest in the Concert Hsll of the Exhibition on the 14th inst. The entries close at the Coffee V alace on the 13th inst. As there is a very liberal programme of prizes, no doubt there will be a goodly number of comnetitors.

The Italians in Ohristohurch intend to hold a kind of funeral celebration on Saturday afternoon, in memory of the Great Italian Liberator, General Garibaldi, news of whose death was received by cable a few days ago. It is intended to place the Italian flags in crape on the platform at present occupied by Messrs Milner and Thompson's organs. An oration will then be delivered on the life and services of the deceased leader, and the Austrian band will play the " Dead March in S.iul." After this Garibaldi's Hymn and Lis March will be played by tbe band and the. proceedings will terminate.