THE EXHIBITION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8756, 5 March 1907, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

Day by Day.

By Telegraph—Special Service. CiinisTciicmcii, March 4,

The performances of the Besses o’ th’ Barn this afternoon and evening again drew lavgd Attendances. The sacred concert given by the band on tbo Sports' Ground yesterday afternoon was listened to by over nine thousand persons, and the gro?3 proceeds are expected to add £SOO to the Seddon memorial frnl.

Anew case has been placed in the Agricultural Departments Courts containing samples of Cape, Turkey and Australian mohair. The collection includes hair as taken from goats, samples of “tops,” of material after it has been washed and combed, specimens of yarns, and finally of finished materials made from mohair consisting of ladies’ dress fabrics of great variety, some of which have all the appeal' ancc of silk and plushes, which are largely used for upholstering purposes. The collection was presented by Sir Titus Salt to Mr E. A, Scanned, who is an enthusiast regarding the value of the Angora goat to the Commonwealth, and has a large flock of those goats in South Australia. The exhibit was shown by Mr Scannell at tbo recent Exhibition held at the Eoyal Exchange; Sydney, and h«* boon lent by him to the Now Zealand Department of Agriculture for exhibition! hero before being presented to tho proprietors of tbo Sydney Mail. The collection suggests an interesting comparison with several other exhibits of mohair. In tho court of curios interest is manifested in a largo and beautiful wreath made as a tribute of honour to th!6

memory of tho late Captain Hutton; curator of tho Canterbury Museum, and now on view in a glass case in tbo Exlii. bition. The wreath was made by Mr H. J. Stone and Miss Stone, of Woodend, and it occupied them continuously for twelve months. It is composed entirely of New Zealand flax fibre and the plumage of New Zealand native birds. Feathers of 2C varieties of birds were used, several of thorn being extinct. Government permitted Mr and Miss Stone to take the feathers of some of tho birds from publie collections. Tho workmanship of tho wreath is extremely, delicate and olabor-

ato, the feathers being combined to form many graceful and beautifully coloured, flowers.

Cheap excursions for visitors to tho Exhibition from Invercargill, Gore, and Waimca Plain; 1 brought 35G excursionists to-day. It is notable that, with all tho heavy Exhibition traffic during the past few months, there has not been a single accident.

The Hawke’s Bay Maoris, whose per-

formances at tho pah have been of such high order of merit, loft for their homos to-day. Mr Hamilton is trying to arrange for parties of. Maori school children to visit tho pah. Tho General Manager of the Exhibition has received a letter from Major W. S'; Austin, officer commanding the Grey Public School Cadet Battalion, stating that tho battalion “keenly appreciate your many kindnesses on their behalf, and I have to thank you sincerely for facilities granted to tho boy?, not only a 9 regards special privileges in connection with amusements, but also opportunities afforded for their participation in public displays.”

A very largo number of entries have been received for the pot show to bo held under tho auspices of tho Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Friday afternoon and evening in tho grounds of Wonderland, entries range from the smart hansom cab and horse to tho diminutive hedgehog. A number of performing animals have also been entered, and will bo put through some novel and remarkable tricks. Extensive preparations have been made by tho Wonderland authorities to make a suitable dispday. Tho exhibitors of tickets for tho Pet Show will be admitted free to the Exhibition.

Entries for competition for tho essays on kindness to animals will he accepted up) to Wednesday night;

Numerous entries for the dahlia) and fruit show in the main corridor of the Exhibition next Wednesday and Thursday have been received up to tho present. Exhibits of fruit will he a record. Tho dinner table decorations are more in number than at previous shows, and displays for exhibition only exceed thoso at other shows hold in tho Exhibition.