BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1923, Page 2

BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

'I ho K.vixiifjtioit was fairly attended during yesterday, a number of country people being in. At niglit the attendance was much larger and a number attended at the tlatiee in the Orpheus Theatre where good music arid a good floor retained patrons to a late hour. It:*: tadio was in operation during the eaily part- of tile evening. To-day the attendance promises to be much larger. The holidays are opening, and tho country trains are arming with a number of district res idcuts. To-night the Christchurch Con- * coir party will he heard in two programmes. Fa they Christ mps is expected also to make a call at the Ex hibition during tile evening. The Christchurch Concert Party arrives this evening and gives two performances nt the Orpheus Theatre to-night —the first commencing at- 8 o'clock and the second at 9.1-5 o’clock to meet the convenience of those engaged at business. Tee company is an exceptionally strong one. Among the number is Mr li. A. Turner who is agold medalist and was the champion at the late Christchurch competitions. He is quite above the average ability. Tbe grip he obtains of bis audience in more set ions work is quite extraordinary and he is equally happy in lighter vein. The roeulKts with the party ate of outstanding ability. There is a musical treat in stoic for patron? during the short duration of the seicet company's stav. In both vocal and in.‘•tiumcntnl numbers the audience will he entertained with the best, iho programme for the season is circulated with this issue. Early attendance will be necessary to secure seating accommodation. One shilling is the charge lor admission to each concert. To-night should he a memorable evening in the annals of local musical entertainment. Tbe Christchurch Concert Party will appear again on Monday night in two concerts, while on Tuesday night at the Princess Theatre there will he a sirred conceit. This means that- over the Christmas festival there will bo a fine ( lioite of excellent music which will bo mast seasonable. 'I lie. public arc iorteiiate in having such fine programmes placed helote them. The pioposed tng-o'-war to open at the Exhibition on New Year's Eve is being much talked about. Entries close next Friday night. The competition will be divided into beats, and will 1)0 held in the Orpheus Theatio which will be arranged specially for the purpose, and extra seating provided. It is intended to hold the final ot rounds in the night of the Hokitika Dots. On both New Year's Eve and New Years’ night dances toll be in progress at the Exhibition. A leap year dunce will be held oil January Ist. after tbe Ulg-o’-war bouts.

Duckett's xioupe of lady gymnasts v ill arrive here on Christinas Night, and will appear for fo'.r nights at ihe Giphotis Theatre, opening on Boxing Night. Tile company is a very capable tint', giving a fine neifonuance of a. varied nature, and will introduce many novelties to the spectators. Deity’s military baud of 35 pe-rfotm-ers will open a four nights’ season here on January 11. This will prove to bo •one of the lie.-t hands yet heard l.eie, as the organisation ita-s a Dominion tequitation. It is described as tlte best military hand in Ne-v Zealand. Tito I and has a splendid repertoire, and there will be a change of progiaivmte ilailv.

The gilts from polar expeditions, kindly loaned by Sir Joseph Kinsey, are now on view in Marlborough avenue. They represent sledges etc., used by the late Captain Scott, Shaekleton, ,-nd Amundsen. It is a icrv itttere.il.iig exhibits. All school parties should hake it a point of inspecting cite exhibits.

On the Hokitika Gas Coy’si stand ti.'ore is a splendid display of gas app'u.n.os. M iss Todiimiter the lecturer ju.«.i arri.es next week.

The Hon. Sir F. I). Beil, K.C., Acting Prime Minister and Leader, of the Upper House, before departing for the north yesterday, wrote a: follows to Mr AY. .1. Butler, President of the. British and Intercolonial Exhibition now in progress; “Before leaving Hokitika, I desire for myself and my colleagues v. ho have had the pleasure of living present at the opening of the West Coast Exhibition, to thank the Exhibiton Committee and the residents of Hokitika for the kindness and hospitality which have been extended to us during our stay. ‘■f trust the Exhibition may prove to be as successful financially as it is intrinsically. “Believe me to he, Yours sincerely, F. IT. D. BELL.”