The Dunedin Baby Show.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 66, 6 September 1884, Page 5

The Dunedin Baby Show.

It would appear that if there is one show that has greater attractions than another for tho Dunedin public— or at all events for the feminine portion of it— it is a baby show. This was amply demonstrated last Friday week by the presence of about 3,000 people at the Garrison Hall, where the baby show, promoted by the Naval Artillery Band in connection with their Industrial and Art Exhibition, was held. As early as 2 o'clock in the afternoon any person gifted with an ordinary degree of observation would, on pursuing his way along the main thoroughfare of the city, have noticed that something unusual was afoot ; and, judging by the presence of the vast number of re-spectably-dressed mothers, proud in the possession of babios-in-arms, making their way along the footpaths, he would at once jump to the conclusion that that something must bo the baby show, of which so much has been heard for the past few days. Pursuing his way to Dowling-street, he would rind that usually quiet thoroughfare nearly blocked with the crowds of people assembled to see the procession of babies en route to the exhibition. For fully an hour an unbroken line of visitors was marching down the street in the direction of the hall, and the ticket- vendors had quite a lively time of it in supplying the demand. The inside of the hall couM only be gained with great difficulty, and when once inside the doors tho visitor must have felt inclined to pause and contemplate the scene. It was one of almost indescribable confusion. Chairs had been arranged for the accommodation of mothers and their "exhibits" in the centre of the hall and at the foot of the stage. These arrangements, however, were all upset by tho enormous crowd, for shortly alter 3 o'clock every available square foot of space inside the hall was occupied. The gallery, the stage, and even the bar and refreshment rooms were invaded. Owing to the pressure of the crowd on the stage, the iron frame supporting the pictures gave "way, and threatened to fall on some of the babies who were stationed under it. Luckily, two or three gentlemen noticed it falling, and kept it up, till the pictures were removed. What otherwise might have been an serious accident was thus averted. It was dilficult to get near the body of the hall, and when once there it took 20 minutes to regain the door and a breath of fresh air. A reporter, finding his efforts to get a glimpse of the babies on the ground floor all in vain, proceeded to the gallery, where he soon found himself in the midst of a crowd of infants "muling and puking in their nurses' arms." The mothers had been told to proceed to the picture gallery, which it was intended to convert into a judging-room. The public, however, had also obtained access here in largo numbers, despite the romonstrances of two well-known stalwart citizens who were stationed at tho door ; and it was utterly impossible to proceed with the judging. Proceeding to the edge of the gallery, the humours of the scene could be taken in at a glance. In the centre of the hall floor there was a select squadron of mothers, who enjoyed the privilege of being accommodated with chairs. Among them was a man, who looked down upon the fine big boy beheld in his arms with true parental pride ; while anothor of tho lords of creation, sitting beside his better-half with one of their twin children on his knee, looked about him quite complacently, and appeared to take much parental pride in what Artemus Ward has so happily designated "episodes." Upstairs, a stately masculine nurse, with his little charge in his arms, was not quite so fortunate as his brother nurse below. Ho appeared to be in a grave predicament, and evidently did not think his lot a happy one. In the crush it appears he had by home means got separated from his better-half, and the infant, missing the tender caresses of its mother, began to remonstrate — first in mild terms, and afterwards in a louder key. Itpositively refused to be pacified, and the last record of the fond parent is that, after enduring the situation with as much grace as possible for some time, he made a bee-line for the door. The atmosphere in the hall very soon became stifling,in consequence of the crowded state of the room, which was so great that several young children were lost in the general confusion. In one instance the mother was crying at the top of the stairs for her child, and the child was crying at the foot for her mother. Eventually, however, matters were set right by a joyful meeting at tho foot of the staircase. It was found utterly impossible to proceed with the judging under the circumstances, and it was ultimately announced that the proceedings would be adjourned till Monday afternoon. Another incentive, in the shape of a number of extra special prizes, is advertised, and besides this a gentleman has generously offered to give an order for £1 worth of goods to all thoso mothers who may. not be fortunate enough to carry off a prize. The baby exhibits entered amount to the respectable total of 140, so that the Committee have had to advertise that no further entries will be received. The entries in the various classes are as follow : — Under three months, 30 ; between three and six months, 35; between six and nine months, 44 ; curly-headed youngsters, 12 ; twins, 9. Some of the children are, so far as could be judged yesterday, exceptionally pretty, and those that are not pretty have other peculiarities to recommend them to the attention of the visitor. For instance, there is the heariest baby, which its mother declares is only three months old, and the heaviest baby for its age she ever saw. Then there are the curly-headed babies; while one baby boy boasts no fewer than 1 1 living sisters.