THE EXHIBITION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8743, 18 February 1907, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

Day by Day. uhristchuech. February 17, Despite continuous heavy showers of rain the Exhibition,, on Saturday, attracted an attendance of 14,005, bringing the total for the week to ever 90,000, and making the aggregate to date 1,229,061; The quickstep competition proved the most attractive feature of the band contest Theperformance by the combined bands, which was to have taken place on the Sports Ground, was unable to be held there owing to rain, but about four bands played together in the main corridor in the presence of a very large audience. The presentation of cash prizes and medals to the successful bands and bandsmen took place in the maiu avenue in the evening. Mr Munro, before presenting the prizes, in a short speech congratulated the successful competitors and expressed his sympathy with those who were unsuccessful. He thanked them all on behalf of the Exhibition for participating in tho contest and assisting to make that feature of tho Exhibition the success it had been.

At a supper given to visiting bandsmen on Friday night, Lieut. Bentley, judge of the grand selection and quickstep competition, paid a high tribute to the orchestra, which was, ho said; in his opinion the finest thing in tho Exhibition. Tho Government deserved tho thanks of the whole colony for bringing together such a magnificent body of players which, ho hoped, all centres of the colony would bo afforded an opportunity to hear. The presence of the orchestra would cover quite a multitude of other sins of omission, if such existed.

Tho Hon. McGowan, in replying to the toast of the Exhibition, said tho fact that it was in such a forward state when it opened was duo to the ability and energy of tho general manager, Mr Munro, who had been a tower of strength between the Government and committees. Mr Munro had tho welfare of tho Exhibition at heart, and it was mainly duo to his efforts that tho undertaking had turned out such a success. The Minister also paid a tribute to the excellent way it was carried out by various committees. Tho Hawke’s Bay natives at tho pa are expected to return home early this week. They will bo succeeded by a detachment of about 40 of their follow tribesmen.Tho visit will be succeeded about March 20th by that of a contingent of Wairarapa natives fifty or sixty strong. The visit of NgcUporou Maoris will probably

not take place till near the end of the Exhibition, as most of them are too’ busily engaged to got away before. The first display of daylight fireworks.

which proved a groat success at St. Louis Exhibition, will take place at at 5 p.m.

on Saturday, March 2nd. Sockets and bombs are fired from mortars, and wheat they burst, instead of colored fires, smal flags, parachutes, fishes, birds, and all manner of other things are sot floating in tbo air. The displays are specially attractive to children and arrangements are being made for special trains to transport little people from all convenient places. That is a form of entertainment absolutely now in Now Zealand, and the general manager anticipates that it will draw tho greatest gathering of children ever seen in New Zealand. There will he no charge, for admission to see the fireworks display. The principal attractions for this week at tho Exhibition arc another free grand display of fireworks on Wednesday night, baby show on Thursday, and New Zealand Amateur Athletic sports on Thursday and Saturday. Tho final display of fireworks will bo given on the night of Easter Monday, when a specially extensive and elaborate exhibition will bo given, as Mr White, representative of Pain and Sons, London, intends to fire off then his entire remaining stock of fireworks before his return to England.