THE EXHIBITION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8711, 10 January 1907, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

Day by Day.

By Telegraph—Special Service. Cheihtckubch, January 9.

The show of carnations and sweet peas opened in the main avenue of the Exhibition to-day is one of the best ever seen in the colony, the entries far exceeding the previous record of the llnited Horticultural Society, which is organising the display. The exhibits cover 900 feet of tabling, while considerable floor space has been taken up by pot plants. In addition to a beautiful display of sweet peas and carnations, the exhibits include fine samples of pelagoniums, gladioli, and other flowers, ferns, and fruits. A Sydney visitor expresses the opinion that the display of sweet peas is the finest yet seen in Australasia. The show was well attended, and will be open again to-morrow. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr Payling, will give an address of welcome to the Besses o’ th’ Barn Band in the Exhibition concert hall to-morrow afternoon at 3 o’clock. Special suitable items will be tendered by the Exhibition Orchestra during the afternoon. Arrangements are complcto for the evening reception by tho local bandsmen and for tho first performance by the band, which takes place on the Sports Ground. Mr Collins, of tho Labour Department, Wellington, has arrived to classify and display to the best advantage tho exhibits of sweated industries procured and forwarded to the Exhibition by the High Commissioner. The collection comprises clothing of all descriptions, chains; : nails, children’s toys, and a great 1 variety of other articles. The exhi--1 bit will be of undoubted interest and 1 value to manufacturers and workers generally. The Hon. Hali-Jones, Minister fo* Railways, advises tho General Manager that ho has completed arrangements for cheap railway fares for special town trips from all centres i with which Christchurch is con- > nected by rail. Fares will be on the 1 very lowest scale possible, the inten- • tion being to use tho railway system > concentrating in Christchurch, as a l- feeder to the Exhibition. I The Fijians, whose novel dances - have been the great attraction of I the Exliibition, and who have made t great friends with many of the f townspeople, leave on Friday on a I short trip to Dunedin and southern s towns. They will resume their pere formances at tho Exhibition on their e return.

A fat lamb show was one of the features of the Exhibition tOrday. Similar shows arc given monthly by the local frozen meat company under the auspices of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, and attract much interest. Wonderland’s floral fete, fixed for January 17, has caused quite a stir among local florists and gardeners. Orders for blooms have been placed with different nurserymen as far south as Timaru, and one local firm lias received a preliminary order for ten thousand sprays. Preparations are being made for a sensational fire rescue act, and numerous other highly original and diverting attractions are promised. The completion by the Agricultural Department of the arrangement and classification of its numerous and extensive wool exhibits, obtained from all parts of the colony, completes a very thorough representation of wool at the Exhibition. No product of the colony is represented more fully or to better advantage than wool, and the excellent samples shown, both in the agricultural court and in the provincial bays, must prove of the very greatest interest and value to the farmer. In the North Canterbury court there is a very fine collection of merino, halfbred Corriedale, crossbred, and long wools, and the Marlborough display is also .of especial excellence. Some tine private exhibits are also shown. The wool exhibits will probably be judged during the next ten days.