THE EXHIBITION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8753, 1 March 1907, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

Day by Day

By Telegraph—Special Service. Cjiktstciiokoh, February 28. The general manager of the Union Company has advised Sir Munro that the following special cheap trips have been arranged in connection with the Exhibition. The Union Company will run from Wellington and Dunedin two special excursions this week, also two special excursions from Picton and Nelson, one to-morrow and the other on a date to be subsequently arranged. Two Similar excursions will bo run from Greyibcuth and Westport on or about March 4th and 11th, and one from Onehunga on March 7th. For all these cxfcursions return tickets will bo issued at single fares. The Union Company, in fcohjunotion with the Huddart-Parkor Company; have also arranged for two excursions each from Sydney and Melbourne next month. Saloon return tickets for these will be issued at single fares and will be available for two months. The Hawke’s Bay Maoris gave the best entertainment that has been scon for some time in tho pa. This afternoon the temporary stockade Within tho pa was defended by one party of natives and the attacking- force crossed he lake in a big war canoe, which bolds Shout Sixty rowers, to assault tboir stronghold. There was no genera! engagement, but the two champions of the rival forces engaged in an exciting conflict outside the rough fortification, which was thereupon declared to be taken. Tho natives then gave some magnificent performances of hakas and war dances, and tho women danced two poi dances very gracefully. Arrangements for the convenience of the public have been much improved by trebling the area of the enclosure in which the performances are given. Another sham fight and combined exhibition of dances will be given on Saturday. The Bosses o’ th’ Barn gave tho first performances of their return season on tiie sports’ ground this afternoon and evening before largo attendances. During the progress of the Exhibition there have never been so many cadets in Camp by about one-third as there are at present; The Wairarapa boys took their departure to-day,- and wore at once succeeded by a sniall army of 550 newcomers, consisting of No. 2 Battalion of Hawke’s Bay cadets, numbering 312 of all ranks, under Major Stevens ; 101 boys of tho Westport Battalion under Major Neeves, and Weraroa school boys and band to tho number of 47. Tho lads enjoyed a good passage from the North and wore especially well cai’cd for on tho

steamer. Mr Mitnro has not abandoned his idea of holding a football tournament before tho close of tho Exhibition. His suggestion is that,,all tho principal senior teams in New Zealand bo invited to take part, and that handsome trophies bo offered. He further suggested that a cash contribution be made towards tho travelling expenses of each team on the following scale: —Auckland team to the amount of .£2O; teams from Napier, Now Plymouth, and Palmerston North, £ls; "Wellington and Dunedin teams, £10; Southland teams, £l3 ; and "West Coast, £ls. Mr Munro thinks it hardly fair that teams should be asked to put themselves to great expense to provide a magnificent entertainment- for which the Exhibition would reap the benefit, and ns he understands that teams would not bo,allowed to compete for cash prizes, it appears to him that no sporting rule ought to bo infringed by this proposal to defray expenses. There seems to ho no limit to the curious contents which will bo emitted in mid-air by Japanese and English shells to bo exploded in tho course of the daylight fireworks exhibition-on Saturday afternoon. Among the list are fighting cocks, horse and riders, devil-fish, full dressed ladies, writhing serpents, golden butterflies, and an exhibition of'grotesqne and monster balloons will also bo a feature of this unique display.