THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8341, 25 January 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

BESSES-O'-TH'-BARN BAND. ATHLETIC :- ,ORTS MEETING THE "HOUSE ON FIRE" ACT. By Telegraph—Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, January 24.Jp ' : The attendance yesterday reach':. I the satisfactory < total of 16,7C2, bringing the aggregate to date up ft 969,360. It is expected that the i. lion will be reached some time Saturday, probably early in the <:by and not later than three o'clock. The occasion will be made a memorable one to whoever happens to the millionth visitor to enter, ana ;; substantial recognition of the evtr.t will be awarded him. It is proposed to close all the turnstiles when i'm total attendance is within 3,000 or 4,000 of the million. Three turnstiles will then be used at the mair*. entrance, one for children pay:;.;:: sixpence admission, one for adi./.s paying one shilling, and one lor season ticket-holders. Mr Munro, the General Manager, will be in attendance, and will note the numbers as they approach the million. Whs l the millionth person passes throur.i his, or her name and address will be taken, and later on some recojr- ' nition will be given. Mr Munro':? suggestion is that it should t;;. : e the form of a gold watch and meciaf. I The Besses-o'-th' Barn Band gave (their final performance in the Sports Ground last evening, and • a splendid exhibition of fireworks was given by the representatives of Pain and Sons, Ltd. The eveningwas beautifully calm after a boisterous day, and 8,000 people paid r admission to the ground. The Governor was present. The band gave a highly popular programme in th&'r best style, and in ono selection, a military fantasia, the Southland Pipe Band introduced an attractive effect -by marching round the ground ) as part of the fantasia, representing ;.the "landing of a Scottish regiment," and playing the bagpipes. The Auckland Orchestral Society gave their final concert very 1 successfully last evening before an enthusiastic aud'ence. The monster athletic sports meeting, under, the control of the New Zealand Athletic .Union, was commenced before a large attendance on the Ground to-day. Competitors from all parts of the colony were present, and the eveirts were very closely contested. With pipe contests, running events, and other athletic contests taking place simultaneously, thepublic had plenty to retain their interest. The pipe bands mached to the ground from the' Square, playing the bagpipes, and were welcomed at the Exhibition by Mr Woods, President of the Athletic Union. Caledonian sports items were the main feature of the gathering, which will ■ be concluded on Saturday. The orchestra gave a farewell concert this afternoon before leaving on a visit to Wellington, and, received a good reception. The international toboggan races, and a repitition of the exciting "house on fire" act attracted a large, crown to-night to Wonderland. Mr Munro had vetoed the latter performancee on the scoro of darker to the chief actors, and some surprise was occasioned among' the public when it was intimated that the veto had been withdrawn, in view of the strong precautions that would be taken for 'the safety of human 1 imbs. When the event came off an amused public found that precautions had indeed been ample, the parts of the distressed lady and her gallant rescuer being both sustained by dummies. Lieut. Bentley, principal judge of the ' International Band Contest, advises .the General Manager of the Exhibition that ho has booked his passage by the Maheno.leavingSydney on the 2nd proximo. Lieut. Bentley writes enthusiastically on the subject of a massed bands performance of the ; grand test selection to be conducted •. by himself and rendered previous to the award being given. He considers this will be one of the finest events in the history of band music in the Australasian colonies. The Besses-o'-th'-Barn;Band will give a. return season of 12 days, starting on February 28th. This evening West's Pictares and the Brescians inaugurated a fifteen nights' season in the Concert Hall before a large and apprecia- ■ tive audience. ■ - /