THE EXHIBITION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8744, 19 February 1907, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph.—Special Service, CHRISTCHURCH. February 18. Tho recent rain Ims had a remarkable effect upon the Exhibition lawns and gardens which are now more beautiful than they have ever been before and compel tho admiration of all visitors. Of those there is still a steady influx. To-day was Dunedin special excursion day and tho Otago capital sent over 400 of its citizens to swell the attendances of this week. Tho North Island rail and steamer excursions, another of which commenced to-day, have been successful in bringing largo crowds to tho Exhibition. The number of cadets who will go into camp from first to last is estimated at about 5,000. The Grey and North Otago battalions who are there at present, will remain throughout tho week and on the i 26th test, the second Hawke’s Bay contingent will arrive and they will be followed by Taranaki and Southland bat- ' talions and others at later dates. Everything at camp is carried out on correct military lines and tho discipline is all that could bo desired. No breaches of discipline or disobedience of orders have been dealt with so far and there have been no cases of serious sickness. Tho cadets are able to spend a good deal of timo in the Exhibition, and the general manager has arranged for them to have tree passes to the art gallery and ; orchestral concerts in future. Picture* of tho Exhibition camps and parados have been sent to the Old Country and will bo used as lantern slides to assist the causa of the cadot movement there. Mr Baird, manago'r of Wonderland, is desirous that tho admission fee to this. 1 popular place of amusement should ba abolished and tho public bo only charged ] for tho sensations of its numerous sideI shows, and it is probable that this change will bo brought about. The Exhibition has boon largely attended during tho day, and a million and a quarter is close within sight at a satisfactorily early period. The orchestral concerts in tile afternoon and evening wore very largely attended. The evening programme included Beethoven’s groat Symphony in F (No, 0) “ Tho Pastoral,” which was given for the first time nt tho Exhibition. Tho Symphony wag splendidly interpreted, and was very highly appreciated. The Hawke’s Bay Maoris, whose entertainments have been very popular, gave their final performance of pois and hakaS at tho pa this afternoon. They will 'be succeeded without delay by a contingent ol follow tribesmen - • Entries for the baby’s show, to be held (a the main corridor' on Thursday, close on Tuesday night. Prizes to the number of thirty-six will take "the form of gold, silver and bronze medals, stamped with a view of the Exhibition and'the name of the winner and class.' All babies who are entered wil} be expected to Remain gt tho Exhibition during the entire afternoon and during -the evening till 9 p.m., and all who do so will receive mementos of the, occasion whether they win prizes or not. Ono of the set pieces as a free display of fireworks to be given on Wednesday night will be a portrait of Sir John Hall in honour of his kindness to school children and obtaining concessions for them at the Exhibition. Large contingents of athletes from other parts of tho colony aro expected to take part in tho N.Z. Amateur Athletic Championship Meeting on Thursday and Saturday. One of the features of tho meeting will ho the walldng of H. E. Korr, of Taranaki, who equalled the world’s milo record (6 mins. 26 secs.) at Ay(jlfington pa New Yprir.’s Day. JBeci) wilio isl undoubtedly thp finest heel and toe exponent te Australasia, is in activp training, and is stated to have covered the mile in tho sensational time of Gmin llsec. The officials of the Athletic Association aro taking every precaution as to judging the measurements of the course and timekeeping, so that te the event of Kerr breaking the world’s record tho necessary certificates will be te order to secure recognition of the record by tho world# athletic authorities.