THE EXHIBITION DAY BY DAY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 20 March 1907, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION DAY BY DAY

Christchureh, March P.). The international tire brigades' demonstration, which is on a larger scale than has ever previously been seen in the colony, opened in the Exhibition Sports Ground this afternoon. Unfortunately the day was drab and chill, anil threatened nr'a at any moment. On this account the attendance was not so large as would doubtless have been the case under more smiling weather conditions. Three different competitions were commenced at once, ami, as there were, large entries for each, anil the men had been training hard up to the lust moment, the public was able to enjoy interesting exhibitions of quickness and activity in tire brigade work. In the evening a magnificent, illuminated water display was given at the side of Victoria Lake. More than a dozen lofty waterspouts were kept in motion by engines drawn up round the side of the lake, and the display was played upon by colored lights, which gave a strangely picturesque effect, while fireworks were sent up and rockets tired ahove the lake, both from its side and from a temporary anchorage which had been formed in the centre. There was a very large crowd of spectators, and the display aroused much enthusiasm. The competitions will be continued at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, and in the evening a sensational act, '-Fighting the Flames," will lie given on the Sports Ground in combination with a display of London fireworks.

Great attention is being given by farmers to the line collection of seed's exhibited in the Agricultural Department's court by a bunedin linn, and the collection of cleanings from New Zealand ground seeds shown by the same firm. Another collection of very choice seeds, grown in llawke's Bay, is also attracting much notice. The serious side of the Exhibition is being more availed of, as it draws towards its close. Visitors to the Art Gallery are even more numerous than they have been before, and the high average attendance at the orchestral concerts and organ recitals has never been so consistently maintained. Mr. Webb, the Nelson organist, will give recitals in the Concert Hall on Thursday and Friday next, and it is possible that arrangements miiv be made for another organ concert to be given by Mr. Gregsoii, the London organist, who lias made such a favorable impression.

The papers sent in in flic typewriting shorthand, and commercial con-espon" dence sections of the Home Industries competitions will all be placed on view in the Home Industries portion of Hie Exhibition. The committee in charge of this section intend also to make an exhibit of home-made quilts and counterpanes in the northern gallery, which hitherto lias not been very largely occupied.

ft is expected that (he next detachment of Wanganni Maoris will arrive in the pa either at the end of the present week or the beginning of next week. The poi dancers from the Tnratina Maori flrils' School, who made a previous visit to the Exhibition, are expected to return for a week about the same lime. Three gentlemen of high standing in art circles Sydney, L. Thompson, list; llerdmnn Smith, director of the Christ church School of Arts, and Mr. llemus, photographer—have agreed to Kd as judges of (he physicafdcvelopnient competitions to be held in "Wonderland" on Friday next iu <..«„ j„ IK -li„ii with the hunt for buried treasure. Large entries have been received for the competitions.