BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

CROWDS TO HEAR DERRY’S BAND. Saturday turned out tin extremely boisterous day. It was very unfortunate for the Exhibition that this was so, as Derry’s hand was present, and daily rendering special programmes. The weather militated against a country attendance, while the train traffic was interfered with also. Yet, despite the weather conditions, the attendance at the Exhibition was remarkably large. For both the afternoon and evening sessions, the attendance was gootl—at night extremely so. And the band sup- ; lied a musical treat. Every item found favor with the audience. Both programmes oil Saturday "ere well diversified. There was a variety for all ind the music was tendered excellently. The hand is under the perfect control of the conductor. Both programmes were rendered from the hand stand. The acoustic properties of the Exhibition buildings are quite satisfactory, and the conductor was able to get i he full effect out of the performances. I lie public woic able to listen and enjoy the performances in comfort. Allogctlier the arrangements were most satisfactory, and the visit of Derry’s military hand will linger a.s among ore of the brightest and best features of the'Exhibit ion.

During the evening, Mr Wild on behalf of the Executive thanked the public for their liberal support, and the season-ticket holders for the financial assistance given so cliecriiilly. He announced two pet formaiK-es the next da\ as also two ] rformance.s to-day, this afternoon at 3 o’clock, and to-night at 8 o’clock in a. farewell request programme. For to-night the request pieces include “The Smithy in the Wood”. “The Rosary." “Wyoming.” “The Blue Danube.” The hand will give a full programme to-night, and Mr Derry will comply readily with all requests within tile limits oi till' time available, and the music the hand has with it. There should he. a record attendance to-night to hear the final performance of the hand. ! SUNDAY CONCERTS. BOTH LARGELY attendance. Dos] ite the unseasonable weather ' which prevailed all tiny yesterday there j were large attendances at the two saerd -'-oncert-.s ion*.hired by Derry s Band at the Exhibition buildings. About 1000 people attended the afternoon concert, while the attendance at night was larger even. The programmes .submitted we:e distinctive, and all the , items were listened to atlntively. and enjoyed to the full. The Baud renders saerd music with fine effect. Sovoml well-known hymns were played. , The Mile: lion woven round the tune "Maidstone” (‘‘Pleasant are Thy Courts Above”) was a remarkable piece of instrumentation. Every variation was a masterpiece. The stately music of Mo- 1 aarts 12th. Mass, with its splendid inspiring air at the close, was another ( gem. “Zampa” was given with char- t iioteristic effect, while the anvil chorus from “H Troviitore” was arresting. ’ “Finlandia” introduced a phase of Russian nui.-i.* which pleased many of the critics very much. ’I he piccolo solo -‘The Wren” by Bandsman Hutton, was revelation in executive work, and the (ornet Milo. -‘The Cost Chord”, was another is] deudid rendition. Conductor Derry had the whole hand under com- | plot;* control, and the organ effect produced in several of the renditions showed the mastery of the director and the i layers. Both programmes were delightful musical entertainments and left behind them many pleasant memories of the good music rendered so superbly. The local public will part with t hi, splendid combination, with gicut reluctance to-day.

The jubilee celebration.-: were brought to a close on Saturday, when the pioneers jowrnyed to Ross tic the invitation of the local Mayor and Council. The day turned out wet and boisterous, unfortunately, hut a very fair number tiavelled, and the hospitality of the southern admirers of the pioneer hand defied even the weather, and till passed a very happy time. Hon. -L Grtmii,ond M.L.C.. along with the Mayor (Mr S. Evans). and Mr A. IV. Boobies (Town t lerlc) paid the visitors every attention Mr .1. O’Brien. M.U., accompanied by Mrs O'Brien were among those piesont also to participate in the pleasure of doing honor to the pioneer hand. THIS WEEK'S EVENTS. At tiie Exhibition to-night. Derry's famous military hand will give its farewell performance. In addition to several request items, the hand will present an entirely new programme. As to-night marks the close of a memorable musical event, in the history of the town, there should lie a crowded attendance. The hand returns to Christchurch to-morrow. The attraction to-morrow night will he the second scenic lecture in the Orpheus Hall by Air Havelock \\ tlliams to which admission will lie free. A special series of slides are available for this lecture, and the public will be delightfuly entertained with views ol their own beautiful land. For Wednesday night a popular dance is being organised in the Orpheus J-lall. The admission will bo one shilling. Good music will he provided.

Thursday. Friday, and Saturday nights will see the two child wonders of New Zealand in sketches and novel turns. On Saturday afternoon there will be a matinee for the convenience of the visiting Runanga picnic that day. The kiddies are sure to enjoy Joan Hughes and Muriel Kershaw, and the seniors will derive much pleasure also, .loan Hughes filled the large Town Hall in Wellington every night of the competitions on which she appeared. The ladies are looking forward now to February Ist., which is the date for the Kxhihition Ball—the social event of the .war. Full particulars will he announced later. Cooking demonstrations will he carried out every night this week at Stand 121. excepting Saturday. There will lie an afternoon demonstration on Wednesday. The demonstrations "ill lav continued tip to February Ist. COMING ATTRACTIONS.

The Miss Lucy Cowan combination to visit here shortly and appear at the Orpheus Theatre of the Exhibition only. is a breezy troupe of juvenile entertainers. There are six specially selected performers of competition tame in both championship and scholarship wins, as also honors in musical examinations. They include Miss Kathleen Read, a delightful child entertainer in action songs and humorous eharae- ; ter sketches; Alisa Edna Miles in humorous dialogues, sketches and reeita- ; Hons: Master Bert Goodland in must-,-’ cal monologues and nil round recitations- Master Ronald Foster, humorous songs, speech and silence-story without words—i n pantomime and terpsiehore. Good humor and mirth will reign supreme. Prior to the advent of the Cowan party little Joan Hughes, aged 7 and , Muriel Kershaw, aged 10, will appear , for three nights and render special « programmes. Joan is described as the child wonder of the Dominion. At the 'ate Wellington competitions she

was placed ton times out of eleven entries. The judges spoke most appreciatively of Tier remarkable work. Sho is A gold rtiedallist and has won the junior championship for girls under 12 at Christchurch. A horn actress—she appears in vocal and elocutionary items, and is outstanding as a character sketch artist. Last week she mndr a big hit as “The Kid” in the Grand Theatre. Christchurch. Murid Kershaw h her appearance partner. She is a clever singer and and elocutionist. She does speciality work with little Joan.

For the last week of the Exhibition will come Miss Bessie Macdonald s troupe Front Christchurch. Ibis will he a particularly strong combination. It will ho a galaxy of graceful girls clad in attractive costumes, with bright music and ever changing colors. The programme will he divided into three parts—dancing, classical and acrobatic dancing. There will Is? several ballets. including the Egyptian corps do ballet. As an example of the special numbers given by Miss Macdonald s troupe, the story of -‘Dreamland’’ may he told. The number which is pourtaved in dance, gives an opportunity for wonderful dressing, as the lmllet is composed of girls arrayed in the plumage of rare and wonderful birds. The story is that of a bov (Billy D(ieki.usrm) wlio. Ix?c:uise he shoots a bird in the forest, is deserted. hv his sweetheart (Iris Edmonds). He frightens away the other birds, hut, falling asleep, dreams that he himself is a bird, to whom the peace-loving dove gives wings. Ihe other birds watch him dance, and then depart, whereupon lie wakens. and finding his sweetheart has returned, vows he will refrain from lus cruel sport. The green linnet. the purple grackle. the parakeet. the azure mannikin and the white Brazilian king bird, are represented in this ballet, and their bright feathers look particularly effective against Hie woodland background. Ihe entittam mont is of a class which will take local audience by storm. Two programmes will he given nightly so as to enable as many as possible enjoying the special programmes offered. Railway excursions to llokmka for the Exhibition have been arranged as follows • lan 38tli, 1 nangalum Foresters’ picnic; Jan. 28th.. Drey mouth schools: Feb. 2nd. Brunner Miners and Schools combined picnic. Dates are being sought for also by the schools at Blackball and Otira line as well as from the Orey-1 iokitika line schools.

FLOWER SHOW. JANUARY 23rd. and 2-Uli. The two days’ Exhibition flower show is now booming ahead. It will he held in the Soldiers' Hall oil Jan. 23rd and 24th. Entries for the show close on Saturday next. A liberal schedule of classes lias been drawn „p, and the event is sure to he well patronised by Exhibtors, many of whom have made special preparations for the event. The section classes are for cut flowers, hot plants, decorative. vegetables, fruit, domestic and children. A number of special prizes arc being offered. The show will ho a welcome revival of a popular competition. which was patronised exceedingly well ill former years when flower, fruit, and vegetable shows were a recurring annual fixture in Hokitika. The present event it is hoped will >c the forerunner of many shows to follow. and that as an outcome, the Horticultural Society will ix> revived.