THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8342, 26 January 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

. » . A CHOPPING MATCH. TASMANIAN v. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPION. THE INTERNATIONAL BAND CONTEST. By Telegraph—Special ServiceJ CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25. The Exhibition is still progressing merrily, and Christchurch people are wondering how they will exist when Its dazzling illuminations, the bands in the corridor, the bands on the lawn in front, and the bands on the grounds at the rear entrance, the effect of gaiety given by the crowds, and briliant lighting, give place to darkness and the huge structure is dismantled in three months' time. All the side-shows are still doing big business, and West's Pictures and the Brescians, which will occupy the Concert Hall for the next fortnight, are so far experiencing no difficulty in crowding the Hall. The Maoris at the pah, who give poi dances and. hakas daily before large attendances, welcomed a visitor to-day in Colonel Gudgeon, British Resident at Raratonga. Tuta Nihoniho, of the East Coast Maoris, and Henare Te Arb, of the Wanganui tribe, him in flowery terms as one who came from a far-off land of their ancestors, one also (referring to the Maori war) who had fought with the loyal Natives in the times of trouble, and whom their elders had loved. More Maoris are expected at the pah shortly from the North Island. A chopping match, for a wager, with 18-inGh standing blocks, took place on the Exhibition Sports Ground, this afternoon, between Chellis, the Tasmanian champion, and C. O'Rourke, the champion of New Zealand. The logs were carefully selected by the competitors, thus minimising the effects of the inequality complained of at the recent Carnival. After a strenuous contest, O'Rourke finished first in lmin 57sec. Now that the Besses o' th' Barn Band have temporarily departed, Pain's (London) fireworks will again form one of the principal attractions on the Sports Ground and a spacially fine display is promised for Wednesday next. The Fijians are expected back from the South on Tuesday or Wednesday, and will renew their songs and dances immediately upon their return. The proposed gift of a gold watch and medal to the millionth person to visit the Exhibition has caused much interest locally, and there is likely to,be a record crowd to see this fortunate individual receive recognition of his fame'. The entries for the International Band Contest which will be held from February 11th to 16th (inclusive),are fully double the largest previously received for any such contest held in Australasia. Own Choice selections will be competed on Tuesday, February 12th, in the Concert Hall, and the test selections in the Sports Ground rotunda on Thursday, the quickstep on Saturday,, and the solo competitions for various instruments, quartettes and trombone solos during the week. So large are thb entries that it has been found necessary to appoint three judges, one (Lieut. Bentley) for the full band events, an,d two others for solo competitions. The weather is most suitable for outdoor playing. The test selections will take place in the Concert Hall. Otherwise the committee are satisfied that the outside rotunda will give satisfaction to all concerned. The entries for the solo competitions are so numerous that arrangements have been made for holding preliminary tests in which the more meritorious competitors will be singled out by the judges to play off in a series of finals. The competitions will take place every day and every evening, concluding' on Saturday in time to for the competitors to catch the Northern boat. It is probable that a late southern train will also be provided on the Saturday, as will be the case to-moiTow in connection with the Athletic Union's Sports Meeting. The championship meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will be held on February 21st and 23rd on the Sports Ground. Entries will close on February 7th.