THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8351, 6 February 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph—Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, February 5. To-day was Masterton's day at the Exhibition, a special excursion bringing large numbers of visitors from that town: 560 people in all arrived at Lyttelton by two steamers from the North this morning. Dr. Bradshaw gave an organ recital in the Concert Hall, this afternoon, which was followed by an orchestral concert. Both entertainments were very largely attended. The Lord Mayor of Melbourne (the Hon. H. Weedon, M.L.A)., Victoria, arrived in Christchurch to-day, and after visiting the Exhibition expressed himself as follows:—"As far as the Exhibition is concerned I am amazed at its proportions. I expected to find a very fair Exhibition, but it far vexceeds my expectations. I may state that I am rather interested in the Exhibition, and was connected with the Melbourne and, Tasmanian Exhibitions. The organisation of these displays is a work that is congenial to me. I was very much delighted with the Picture Gallery—in fact I could hardly get away from it. I consider it the best and most comprehensive collection of British pictures that has come to the Southern Hemisphere. It contains some very fine examples of the work of the most prominent British artists, and in saying this I speak from a varied experience of some of the best Picture Galleries, and painting is an art in which I have taken an interest nearly all my life. The individual pictures have been chosen with discrimination and taste." A large number of applications are being received for the positions of judges for the exhibits. Almost all the exhibitors in the Exhibition are taking a keen interest in the competitive aspect of the exhibits, and nearly all the exhibits have been entered. An enterprising contingent of school children have come down from Hanmer to "do" the Exhibition, and will remain in Christchurch during the greater part of the week. A couple of concerts and a canvass for subscriptions furnished the "wherewithal" for the trip. The entire issue of one penny commemorative postage stamps is now exhausted, and as the authorities are under an obligation not to issue more than a certain number these are now unobtainable. The halfpenny issue was exhausted some time ago, and the only denomination still procurable are threepence and sixpence. The children's rest during the seven weeks that it has been open has been patronised by some 700 babies, and the arrival of the thousandth, which is expected within the next fortnight or three weeks, will be commemorated by the award of a special prize. Later on it is hoped to hold a baby show on large scale in connection with the rest. Large and varied entries have been received for the free flower show in the main corridor on Wednesday and Thursday, which bids fair to be a great success. Everything points to the International Band contest, to'J be held at the Exhibition next week, far [eclipsing every fixture of a similar nature that has been held in Australasia. The competitions commence 'on Monday morning, and will be continued till Saturday night. At least thirty bands are expected to make the trip to Christchurch to take part in the grand selection, consisting of "own choice" and test selection. In addition to the grand selection and quickstep competitions there will be twelve solo competitions, for which unprecedented entries or as many as 50 in some cases have been received.