THE EXHIBITION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8731, 4 February 1907, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

Day by Day. By Telegraph —Special Service. Cheistohurch, February 3. The Exhibition attracted a large number of visitors on Saturday, and for local residents it has now become a seemingly indispensable resort, while visitors from otherparts of the colony- and from Australia continue to arrive in satisfactory numbers. The long neglected orchestra is now one of its most potent attractions, and the excel, lent concert given on Saturday afternoon was enjoyed by a large audience. The organ recital given by Dr Bradshaw, the cathedral organist, was also well attended. Dr Findlay, Attorney-General, who is acting as Minister in charge at present, has come to the conclusion, after a tour of iuiuspcction of the buildings, that t he present ventilation is inadequate, and ho has taken steps to have this defect remedied at once. The windows, which are nearly all fixtures and cannot bo opened, arc being altered, and the root is also being altered to admit more air. In the Art Gallery, which was generally-agreed to bo the studies! part of the building, electric fans are being placed, the workmen having commenced the task on Saturday. When these improvements are effected one of the few existing complaints against the Exhibition, that the. atmosphere of its interior is i too close for comfort in hot weather, will | have boon removed. Mr S. Kirkpatrick, of Kelson, having spout a great deal of time inspecting the various exhibits at the Exhibition, has found another complaint which is at the same time a compliment. Air Kirkpatrick considers that while tiro Exhibition is most attractive to j those seeking information and recreation ! the side shows, and Wonderland in particular, have been very keen competitor* of the Exhibition. Ho has been much struck', ho says, with the way the people have filed into the big building and immediately rushed through to Wonderland, with the result that exhibitors do not reap the advertisement or reward tliev are entitled to. Mr Kirkpatrick

suggest.; that after the arranged closing date of the Exhibition and side shows, the former should be re-opened as a free show to the general public, not only in the interests of exhibitors but from an educational point of view. Mr Kirkpatrick, ami many of the exhibitors ho has interviewed, consider such continuations of the Exhibition proper would lie in tho right direction. Tim side show attractions would bo closed down and people would then have nothing to distract their attention from tho merits of the Exhibition, which ho considers very great. Apart from the practicality of this proposal there is no doubt that many departments of absorbing interest in the Exhibition such as educational, sociological, and other exhibits in t'nc British Court, arc tar too lightly skimmed by bands of visitors, who would find themselves very richly rewarded if hcv gave a moderate amount of study to

tho exhibits, and the Exhibition covers so many fields of science, art, and industry,

and covers some of them in such a complete manner that only the most exceptional individual could fail to find two or three departments at least calculated to interest him in a very high degree, Details of the International Band Cot): test, which will be held from February 11th to 10th, are well in hand. A local experj writes “ Before next Saturday night all

competing bands and bandsmen will by billeted in Christchurch. Never bef ore will them have been such a muster, and of a

surety such a galaxy of talent. Each contesting band will doubtless bo in their best playing form, and on ‘II Lombardi‘ and ‘Own Choice’ we will bo treated to the bands of the colony fully extended during the contest. Thc'Newcastle City Band won the recent large contest conducted by tho Band Association of New South A ales, one of the conditions being that the winning band should undertake a trip to New Zealand to compete at the Exhibition.”

The twonty-fivo thousandth visitor wont up the tower elevator on Saturday and was presented with a commemorative gift. Every visitor to tho tower on Saturday was also presented with a postcard allowing a view of Christchurch taken from the top. Excellent entries are being received for the Begonia show, which will take place in the main corridor on Wednesday and Thursday next. A display of Fain’s London fireworks, in conjunction with the military tattoo will be given on Wednesday night. Four bands are expected to take part. The oiiampionshiD sports meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will bo hold on the Exhibition sports ground on February 21st and 23rd,