BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

JOVIAL TIMES FOR THE PIONEERS. There was an extreme change in the weather conditions yesterday lor the second day of the Jubitae celebrations. The day turned out wet .and boisterous, and it proved as well that the picnic to Lake Mahina.puw had been abandoncsl betimes. Yesterday forenoon the pioneers had more leisure to inspect the displays at Jr l Exhibition, a number attending to no so. In the afternoon the old folk were ike guests of the Exhibition mthorities at the Opera House, where, bv the courtesy of Mr A. Urban, the lessee, a free picture display was gtven. Then.' was an interesting series of pictures loaned bv the Government. These itielmled the coalmining industry in the Westport- district, including operations oil Dennistou till and incline; and a New Zealand seeine whirl; embraced some of the chief centres, and a particularly fine depiction of the scenery of the "West ('oast Sounds. The programme was qu'te

an entertaining one for the pioneers At thc> close. Mr Behan expressed his pleasure of meeting the pioneers and of having the opportunity to entertain them. The pioneer hand then moved to the Soldiers’ Hall where the ladies' committee entertained the visitors at afternoon tea. There was a very lane number present, including Mrs Kcddon and other visitors. A social bout was passed, and before the gathering dispersed Messrs W. A. Thompson and Voisey returned thanks for the attention given them. At the gathering. Mr TTfpihort of the National Hank, rrflVO tIIOSO pJTOSS.* Iit till OppOTtUII i tV ( » inspecting the lfldy s gold hroocli made here over 50 years ago. Mr Hroeklehurst who inspected the workmanship yesterday,- pronounced it : s be the work of M.r Brown, a wellknown jeweller who was in business here in the early days, and who *l**l excellent work of the kind displayed. The West Coasters’ reunion at "In Soldiers’ Hall last night breathed the spirit of the old days. It was a jolly gathering whereat everybody was at

homo and the enjoyment was ocmpleto. A capital evening resulted, the old songs, tho old daneixs, tho <ld muMic—nil being revived. Dancing followed a short concert and supper, and was continued far into the nig, t, many being reluctant to end the pioceedings throughout which ;.r-ju /, <■'!

humor prevailed. For to-day a motor drive to the dredge was arranged, but the wont! er in the forenoon was not . l.uti.-ijj ;nd the trip may bo made this nltermrn. To-night the pioneers are mvL. l to the Exhibition to hear Derrv’s rand.

To-morrow the pioneers visit Boss and the sports there, and hear D- ry’s band here at night. Pioneers <-l flic sixties desirous of travelling *«y Tain to Boss, may obtain )ia-s cert iiiea'.-.-s at the Exhibition office. This eiiiu-es-sion lias been arranged very Kindly snd thoughtfully by the Hon Minister of Miin-s, who will adjust the cost noli the Railways Department. lon Grinimond, Mr O'Brien and Mr Butler thanked Mr Anderson lor his kind con-ideratioti in this matter. Last night at the Exhibition the attendance was fair. It was an olf night with many other attraction* outside. The Hokitika Municipal band discoursed a special programme from the band rotunda, and a considerable audience enjoyed the various selections rendered. The Exhibition authorities have been fortunate in linvi.ttg the opportunity ot presenting so nia ti,\ good musical programmes as adjunctive aids p, the all-round success of the Exhibition.

DERBY’S BAXD TO-XIGHT. Derry’s band arrives by this evening’s train, and will present its first programme at the Exhibition Buildings this evening at 8.15 o’clock. 1 tie baud is described ns the finest militarv band in Australasia. Ibe baud will prove it musical treat Irom every point ot view. 1 here is a delightful combination of reed and brass instruments. while the programme itself is so well selected that all tastes will be catered for. Writing of a recent performance in Wellington, where the baud made a special visit, the Xew Zealand Times remarked tlyit the instrumentalists worked as one under the baton of the conductor, and the balance and tone of the band was excellent. Technically. little fault could be found with the' items rendered. The programme commenced with the “Masaniello” Overture (Auher), which was followed by a descriptive fantasia. “A Dav at. West Point Military Academy”’ Two movements from Mendelssohn’s so-called “Scotch” Symphony— “Alldate con moto and Allegro nil poro Agitato”—constituted the best-played items ol the evening. Another popular fantasia was “The Smithy in Dm Woods." descriptive of approaching dawn, the songs of tl>" birds, the morning hymn, and tV village smith commencing his day’s work. Ihe <on eluding portion of this selection was very popularly Iren jived. An excellent" descriptive—but my no means musical -effect was produced by the lighting of a flare at the back of the platform to represent the smith s forge. Ollier hand items were the “Buy Bias” Overture, selection Irotn “Yeomen of the Guard.” pot poem “Melodious Memories.” the “M dliam Tell” overture, etc. The hand is specially engaged tor the Exhibition, and "ill render hx consecutive programmes v. ithin tho building. The admission charge tonight from li to l!l o'clock will he M. witli mi extra charge of Is lor season ticket- holders. At the matinee !i----morrow afternoon, the ordinary prices v. ill prevail, lull to-morrow night the prices will he the same as this evening. There will h- tw„ programmes ia lie Exliibitnn buildings on Sunday alt ernonn and evening, and the visitconcludes on .Monday night. This L the most important engagement bv the Exhibition authorities over tho period the hn*;.'e e.\position ! - op-ii. .SPECIAL EXGAGF.MENT TO FOLLOW DERBY'S BAXD.

Little Miss Joan Hughes and her partner Miss Muriel Kershum are due to appear here from the Kith. inst. for three or four nights. Joan has a Dominion reputation as the child wonder. She has captivated audiences in all the larger centres, including Christchurch ami Wellington. At Wellington recently she had it wonderful reception at the competitions, tilling the largo Town Hull every night she competed. The girls will give some clever duets in character, including a Jackie Coogitn sketch entitled “The Kid,” in which .loan takes the name part. Miss Lucy Cowan is bringing over a. party of eight juveniles to appear front th(> 22nd. inst. for four nights only. As entertainers in character songs and dances, the party has a great vogue in and about Christchurch, and are sure to be. welcomed here by all who enjoy the natural presentations at which the juveniles excel. For the final week of (he Exhibition, .Miss Bessie Macdonald with a troupe of fourteen in polite vaudeville will hold the Orpheus Theatre, and should lill it twice nightly. Mis- Macdonald's party is an excellent one. At present the troupe is about to fulfill an engagement tit the Crystal Palace Theatre at Christchurch, and at the conclusion will visit the Coast. This promises to be one of the best entertainments of its kind presented to a local audience. Reports indicate the form of entertainment is much superior to that provided by professional companies attempting vaudeville programmes of the lietter ela**n

THE PIONEERS. y ESTER DAY’S ENTEKTAIXM ENT The Pioneers yesterday afternoon were entertained at a picture show in the Opera House at 2.00 p.m., a good number attending. when a. capital programme was given, and much appreciated. Later, al the Soldiers Hall, the Pioneers were entertained at nMrrneou tea. a bevy of ladies supplying a very dainty repast that was well served and thoroughly enjoyed. Tint the huge gathering indulged in some community singing, and a very pipe.— aut hour was spent. those present signifying their great pleasure, -d: Yt A. Thompson on In-halt ot OnPioneers expressed their deep sense < t gratitude to all concerned for the vetv happy manner in which attention had been given them. Special reference was made to the arrangement-- o- dm Exhibit ion Executive, and the indebt ednoss of one and all for the kind at tent ion and hospitality extended on ah j sides by the members oi the com- | niunity. ! At night the Soldiers’ Hall was veil | filled again when the West Coasters j Reunion took place. I here v.ere •> j great ma 11 v Pioneers and their friend-j present and the night was voted a j splendid one, being thoroughly enjoyed by all present. There was joy- j ful feeling prevalent throughout. I everybody appearing in the host ei j spirits and entering fully into ti.;'

happy proceedings. j Mr A. Lawn presided at the piano, J having the support of the Royal chestra, with some additional instruments. and they supplied a budget o! old time music that the old hands appreciated to the full. There was community singing again and all joined heartily into the movement widen

proved distinctly successful. In addi tion solos were given by Miss Davidson, Mts Grimmond, Mrs Falla, Mrs Pnrkhill, Mrs Hunter, Mrs Lynn, and Mr H. Holmes, recitations by Mr Hugh Smith, instrumental numbers by Mrs .T. Giese, Mrs Boon, Mr Gibbons and Mr Williams, while a number of gramophone selections were also given. A number of dances were intersperse 1 with the selections and many of the pioneers showed their continued activity by indulging freely in the round and square dances on the programme. The Ladies’ Committee j-:e.p

plied a plentiful supper which was smartly served and done lull justice xo. Among these present were MrSedtlon. Hon and Mrs .1. Grimmond. and Mr .1. O’Brien. .M.P. Before tit.* gathering dispersed Mr John Ritchie, a veteran pioneer of South Westlan.-i, claimed an opportunity to acknowledge the deep sense ot gratification he tell at the hospitality and attention extended on all sides to the Pioneeis As one of them he personally and deeply appreciated tile many courtesies extended. He specially thanked the Exhibition Executive, and the Ladies Committee, who had given so muck kind attention to the Pioneers both at the luncheon tit the Town Hall, and the various functions that day. He would always remember the courtesies and kindnesses so generously extended. As the hour was going on, and a number wished to retire, .Void Lang Syne and For They arc Jolly Goon Fellows were sung with enthusiasm, and then a number retired, but quite a number of Pioneers kept looting i* with tho best of them until midnight, when the proceedings were brought to a conclusion with Aulil Lang Syne, all voting it a night, to be remembered with pleasure.