THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8351, 7 February 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph—Special Service,

CHRISTCHURCH, February 6J A flower show opened in the main corridor of the Exhibition to-day, of which begonias formed the chief exhibits. It is pronounced by experts to be without doubt, the largest and t finest ever held in the colony. As. much was said of the beautiful and extensive show held a few weeks ago, which was adjudged to be one of the best ever seen in Australasia; but this one, it is agreed, far exceeds that both in number and quality of exhibits. The total of 265 entries for competition constitutes a record for the Canterbury United Horticultural Society, which is controlling the show. The exhibits cover about one thousand feet of tables, and an additional seven hundred feet of floor space, the whole extent of the large entrance avenue being required for the display. Begonias, , though not included in the list of popular flowers, were exhibited freely by a large number of growers, and cut • flowers, especially • dahlias* gladioli and roses, are very largely represented. There is also a good display of fruit and vegetables. A large exhibit of Ghent azaleas, in full bloom, which only left Holland at the end of November, form a beautiful feature of the show. The quality in all branches of the exhibits is unusually high, and the show, to which no extra charge is. made for admission, has been thronged with admiring visitors all , day and evening. The Society in- ' tend to follow up this success with a. Dahlia Show, on March 6th and 7th, which will be made the climax of these horticultural exhibitions. Already such extensive preparations, are being made for this event by growers that it is gravely feared the entrance corridor will not be large enough to accommodate the numerous exhibits. The present flower show will be continued to-morrow. Two hundred and fifty-four cadets of the Wellington No. 3 School Cadet Battalion, under Major Burlinson, arrived at the Exhibition camp this -morning, and three other battalions, consisting of corps from Weraroa, Levin, Otaki, Johnsonville, Hutt and Petone, and ; comprising 290 boys, are expected to arrive to-morrow. Arrangements are being made for the cadets to give a demonstration on the Sports Ground next Thursday afternoon. It is anticipated by the Exhibition authorities in view of the correspondence that has been received from all parts of the colony, that a very large number of people throughout New Zealand will time their visit to the Exhibition to fit in with the International Band Contest, which begins on Monday next, and will last till the following Saturday. The numerous competing bands will doubtless be accompanied in very many cases by their friends and' relatives, and the attendance of bandsmen, who have not entered for, competitions will doubtless be extremely large. The specially reduced fares now in force will doubtless serve to' increase the influx. The Quickstep and Test Selection will be rendered on the Sports Ground, and Solo, Quartette and Trio Selections in the Concert Hall. A mass band display, under Lieut. Bentley, will be given on the Sports Ground, on Saturday, 16th inst. The Canterbury Automobile Association's gymkhana wilL take plade on the Sports Ground on March 9th. The various centres have now chosen their representatives to compete in the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's sports meeting on the 21st and 23rd inst., and keen competition is expected in the championship events.