BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1923, Page 2

BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

ATTENDANCE YYEI.L MAINTAINED. PROMISE OF PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.

The attendance at the Exhibition continues to be well maintained. Over the week end the daily attendance was quite satisfactory. Tim numbers present on Friday and Saturday were large, despite attractions elsewhere. The attendance to-day promises to he very large indeed. To-night should culminate" in a record gathering tor Hokitika inside any building. During Saturday afternoon music was supplied in the main annexe, and a matinee was given by the Duckett troupe of gymnasts. The matinee was attended by large numbers, and was enjoyed "thoroughly. At night there was more music, and an extended performance by the Buckett troupe. For the latter event the Orpheus Theatre was crowded to the doors, and the sale of tickets was stopped at 8.80 o'clock. The troupe gave a very full programme, extending over two hours and had a remarkable reception. For ihe final two nights of their appearance here the troupe is certain ot largo audiences. The company is a very pleasing .combination indeed. It is understood that the executive is well pleased with the receipts so far—for the first fortnight of the Exhibition period. The sale ol season tickets has realised about £OOO, and admissions at the doors a somewhat similar amount. The receipts irom entertainments have returned about £IBO. On these figures it is considered the filial return from the conduct ot the exhibition shoud prove satisfactory to the guarantors. The ultimate result "ill he governed very greatly by the success attending the realisation of the assets, in which a considerable sum of money has been sunk. However, the position is a very promising one. and will he brightened to a further extent this week by the substantial receipts which should he derived over the New Year holidays by the in 11 tlx of visitors from all parts of the Coast, as also from Canterbury. FRESH FIXTURES. The Exhibition is open daily, admission Is. Season tickets are on sale, and the sooner they are lsmght the hotter the value. This being New Year week, there will he many special attractions centred at the Exhibition. To-dav (New Year’s Eve) the Exhibition will be open till midnight am! ihe building is sure to tse a great centre of attraction and excitement. Tonight should prove a night of nights for the old town, bringing hack recollections of the old times when the evening and the morning were the same day. There is a monster programme provided for to-night, by which time the incoming trains will have brought many hundreds of people into Hokitika. It was welcome nows to hear on Saturday that the season ol the Duckett troupe had been extended for two nights. The company appears at S o’clock to-night in an extended programme in the Orpheus Theatre, and the final appearance will he to-mor-row night, when special request items will he given. The popularity of the troupe is evidenced by the sustained patronage accorded. Immediately after the "'use of the Bucket', performance the Orpheus Theatre will he cleared for the last dame of the year. Double tickets will be 2s Gel and single Is Od. I' o st-class music will be supplied by tie Royal "Orchestra and dancing "ill be continuous. In the main avenue at 10 o'clock the Pipe Baud ">0 l’ht.v a le" selections, to he followed at II .''clock by the Municipal band and Orchestra, and at midnight, with the arrival of New Year signalled by the tolling oi tho lirehtdl, the concourse will sing "Anld Dang Rytte.” It should be a very memorable night, and the Exhibition will witness probably its record attendance. A large influx ol country ; visitors is expected. To-morrow will he a. public holiday ! and all roads will lead to the Exhibition. Trains leave Greymouth for Hokitika at I) a.m. 1.10 and 0.80 p.nt. ami leave Ross tor Hokitika at 0.30 i h.in. and -J.lO p.nt. Suitable trains 1 return to their destination at night. A large attendance at the Exhibition may he looked for. The Hokitika Orchestra will render a programme in the main annexe. The Burkett troupe will make its final appearance, and after the performance the Leap Tear dance will be held. On Wednesday there will he a Caledonian emuert and on Thursday the tug-o’-war competition (for which entries close t.i-mor-row night) will begin, i The attendance at the Exhibition mi far has been most satisfactory, ami it is now expected that litis week’s experience will see the earlier records eclipsed. Next week will he jubilee celebration time. Wednesday of next week will be i.luhilee Day when there will he a gathering of old pioneers in Hokitika. The old folk are to he the guests of ihe Exhibition Council during the four days tk voted to the jubilee celebrations and will he given free tickets to the Exhibition anil till entertainments connected therewith. It is imped to have a general holiday all along the Coast and to witness a large gathering of old identities for the occasion. The guests will he those who arrived oil the Coast in the sixties—lßfU-lßfi!L In view of the large number of exCoasters home for the holidays, it has been suggested that there should he a reunion of all Coasters during the Jubilee period, and it is probable this will he arranged for on Thursday. Jan. 10th. itt it picnic to he held at Lake Mahimqma during the day. and a social gathering at the Exhibition in the evening. The Railway Department will he prepared to run it special train to and from Lake Mahinapua tor the occasion. Such a gathering would he it very appropriate one at such a lime. The stand of tile Hokitika Gas Coy. was a centre of attraction this afternoon. Miss Todhuntcr of Christchurch began her series of cookery lessons, ami the instruction was veryprofitable to those v. lto heard the remarks. The demoiistration will be continued to-night at 7.30 o'clock, and twice daily throughout the wv<-k at :i o’clock in the afternoon ami 7.80 in the evening. The etitherprise shown by tb.; Gas Coy. in tin's matter is likely to he very much appreciated by till users of gas, who can see at once the economic advantages of cooking by

'J'he stalls with the Returned Soldiers’ exhibits are lading well patronised, and a mnnk'r of interesting souvenirs of the Exhibition on sale m these stalls arc in good demand. It is intended as there are several returned men at the Exhibition attending stalls etc., to hold a soldiers’ reunion night sometime before the Exhibition closes. ]/>cal men "ill be invited to participate in the gathering. There will !>e coining soon now the "dgewarc Quartette of Christchurch, upported by a drawing room entertainer. This combination should prove a delight to local audiences. 1 he visitors arrive here on January sth. (Saturday) appearing at the Orpheus Theatre that evening. The final appearance will be on Monday. (Jan.

grammes trill lie given each evening the Company is billed to appear. There trill be good music, supported by Bomo humorous items which are sure to find favor with the public.

Wednesday, Jan. 9th., has been set down as Jubilee Day. It is likely that a public holiday will be oltserved all along Dm Coast. An excursion is being organised iVpnt Huller. The visitors will arrive by train from Inangalma Junction direct at 2.18 .in the afternoon, ami will stop over till Fri- , day morning when the train will cturn witlr the passengers direct to Inangahua Junction. Oil the occasion of the bite visit to Wellington, Derry’s military band had a remarkable reception. At an open air concert at Oriental Bay the attendance was estimated at twelve to fifteen thousand people. TU^bamU-''”"’* 2 ’ will he at the Exhibition over Jubilee period, arriving on January Hth. ami appearing daily up to January 14th. It will he one of the most important musical events -n the history of the Coast, and the presence of the band is certain to draw a very large attendance to the Exhibition the authorities of which are responsible for the visit. The band is the largest military baud lu &USH " tralaxia. The conductor is Mr E. C. Derry while Mr P. R. W iITL t .t----son is bandmaster. The hand plays a number of very fine selections lor which it. lias a record. It has been described as the Sousa hand of New Zealand. a distinction which alone indicates its capabilities. The following are the train arrangements tor the Bttllcr distiict excursion to the Exhibition at Hokitika on Wednesday. Jan. Oth. (Jubilee VDay):—-

A special train will leave Inaitgalma Junction for Hokitika on Oth. January at 9.20 a.m. after connecting with motors from Westport. This train will leave Reofton at 10.8 a.m.. Ikainatua at 10.48 a.m.. Gioyinouth arrive 12.8 p.nt.. depart 12.40 p.m.. ami arrive at Hokitika 2.18 p.m. This will - permit- of passengers obtaining lunch at Greymouth. The return journey is to he made on 11th. January by special train leaving Hokitika at 12.40 p.m. after intending passengers have lunched. This train will he due to depart From Greymouth at 1.4 > p.m. If motors are at Inangahua Junction on arrival of the train they should arrive at Westport about 6.30

p.m. , The excellent arrangements made by flic. Railway Department for this special service should result in the exettt sion from the northern part of the Coast being attended very largely. -