British and Intercolonial Exhibition at Hokitika.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1923, Page 2

British and Intercolonial Exhibition at Hokitika.

OPENING IN A FORTNIGHT’S TIAIE. The telephone is now installed at tlie Exhibition Building tor tin - convenience of exhibitors and others having business about the buildings. It is located at the Eastern end ot the main annexe in the office apartment. No 142 is the telephone milliner. There is a steady demand for season 'tickets already, indicating good public support'. Applications by mail troni country residents are receiving prompt attention. 'J lie tickets may be procured from Air John Peake at tlio County Office. Vimy wilt admit to the Exhibition throughout the period the display is open—some seven weeks. For the opening day in a fortnight s time the citizens aie invi.ted to decorate their premises with Hags and greenery. Supplies of greenery may he obtained at reasonable prices it orders are given now. As there will he a large influx of vistiors the public should co-operate in making the town look as bright and attractive as possible. The general preparations for the Exhibition, which is to open in a toilnight’s time, are now so well advanced that the stall holders are already making an excellent display with theii exhibits. Several exhibitors have arrived during the week and a large quantity of exhibits are now coming to hand daily by the overland service. The interior decoration lias been proceeding apace and the inside is now gay with colours, including hunting, lings anil shields. Mr A 1 organ, District Traffic Alannger, who was in town this week, indicated to the Exhibition authorities that very satisfactory train arrangements will lie made in connection with l|>e Exhibition. On the Opening Day there will lie a special train service arranged and made convenient lor visiters to arrive in good time from tile north, and return Inline the same evening, and al-o a suitable railway connection from and In Boss. In connection with the railway ;u----rangements, excursion fares are to he charged over the greater period of the Exhibition. The return fare from Invercargill to Hokitika via Christchurch for instance, will he, first class CC. Os 2d, second oless £1 Os od. From Dunedin to Hokitika anil return, LI 10s 2d first. CJ Os lid second class. From Christchurch to Hokitika, first class LI PL Oil, second class L'l 7s 3d. Should the Arthur's Pass Tunnel not he taken over by the Railway Department, there will in* an additional charge of 2s 2d first class, and Is 7d second class supplementary to tile prif.vs quoted. The Tourist Department have issued a scale of fares for round trips troni Auckland to Hokitika via Christchurch, mid returning north via AYestport and Nelson. The round trip, including the Tunnel charge, would lie Lid 11s id first class, and LI 1 second class. The scale of fares for similar round trips from Wellington to Hokitika anil hack via Nelson, would lie £8 los 7d first class, and Li los 3d second class. The round trip from (‘hristchuroh to Hokitika, and return \in Nelson, Blenheim and Kaikoura, including motors, would be L'l .1 lls Kid first class, and £lO 19s oil second class.

Air .Morgan intimated that school excursions to the Exhibition could he arranged subsequent to the 12th January, and it would ho advisable tor schools desiring to make an excursion, to communicate at once with tile Railway Department in respect to tile selection of a suitable date subsequent to tlie 12th January.

The Exhibition Council hopes to publish next week approximate charges for motor tours from Hokitika to various Tourist Resorts in the Westland district, as well as motor tours to Greyniouth, Heefton anil the north. Particulars of the Bucket! Troupe of lady gymnasts which i- to appear here during Christmas week, indicate that their work comprises club swinging, dumbells, wand displays, fancy marching, roman rings, trapeze work, parallel bars, tumbling, illuminated club swinging and pyramid building. There are a number of soloists with the troupe. Air ('Tonies Buekclt is the world’s amateur club swinging champion and lie holds the world's recoid for heavy club swinging (811) clubs) for •IS hours, sword swinging, (it) hours, and fancy chib swinging, 30 hours. He lias also put up a record of 21 hours for fast swinging. Aliss Alice ( luipman is a clever little girl who lines good work in the team displays’. She is also a vocalist, and appears r. character songs and monologues, and is a good toe dancer, having wi n many prizes at the Christchurch Com petitions. Jean Irwin is a clever -icp dancer for her age, 1 I years, ami is considered the Host in New Zealand. Vera ('unveil is a Club soloist. The troupe will he accompanied h- Air ('has. I' - . Weils as accompanist, an I is n well known orchestral leader in Christchurch.

The appearances of the Greymouth Orchestral f-'oeiciy and the Oreyinnuili .Male Choir for the opening week have been confirmed. For the appearance of tile former, which will include some 30 performers, it. will he necessary to ( nlarge the stage. The Greymouth Or chestral Society gave excellent ]'i rfornmilces at intervals during the yewin the northern town and their vi-it here will no doubt be heartily welcomed. The Greymouth .Male Choir are also sure of a cordial welcome a> there will be pleasing recollections < f former visits.