THE EXHIBITION

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8353, 9 February 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION

By Telegraphic Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, February 8. There was a good attendance at the Exhibition again to-day. The Ngatikuhunganu Natives from • Hawke's Bay gave a first performance of hakas and pois in the pa, this afternoon, before a large number of spectators, and ' made, an excellent impression. Thirty men and an unusually large number of women took'' part in the hakas, which were given with immense energy and erithifsiasm. Experts pronounced the performance without a doubt the best that has been seen 1 in the pa. The men were practically naked, except for their piu pius and the front rank especially had been realistically "tatooed" for the occasion by Dr. Buck. A party of seven girls danced a poi dance very gracefully. The Lord Mayor of Melbourne was among the spectators, and was formally welcomed to the Exhibition by the Maoris. There was a'large attendance at the orchestral concert this afternoon. Arrangements have been made for the orchestra to play in the Concert Hall on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons next week at intervals between the solo competitions of- the Band' Contest.

On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon and evenings, the Concert Hall being disengaged, the orchestra, j will render programmes of music. Some glowing references were made to the Exhibition, at the Mayoral ' banquet last night. The Hon. Mr H. Weedon (Lord' Mayor of Melbourne) said it was a credit to New i Zealand, and any part of Australia ■ would be . proud to share in the honour that would fall upon New Zealand by reason of the Exhibition. It would be productive of much good to the colony, and even if it cost the colony a fair sum the people ought not to grudge it. He would ! like to congratulate the visitors from abroad. He would also like to congratulate New Zealand on its own splendid display. Next week will be commenced a plan of choosing a Saturday evening programme for the Orchestral Concert from the. written requests - sent ' in by patrons <if the concerts during: the week, and Subjected to a ballot on Friday. TKg programme for tomorrow afternoon's concert will consist entirely of, items specially requested, but the selection has not been made in such a systematic manner. Wonderland attracted a largerattendance to-night by means of to r boggan races for mixed teams of ladies and gents. Eighteen teams competed, and somd exciting finishes were witnessed. Wonderland's next special feature will be a big show of pets, and a baby show, which will trike place on March Ist under the control of. the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Nine hundred bandsmen will take part in the Band Contest starting on Monday morning. Thirty bands and four hundred soloists will form the contestants. Solo competitions will be held in the Concert Hall on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and the Grand Selection and Quickstep on the Sports Ground on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. A battalion of 300 school cadets are expected to arrive at the Exhibition from Dunedin on 15th inst The spceial popularity of two features of the Exhibition is being proved by the inability of the Christchurch citizens, even at this early ' stage Jto contemplate with equanimity , the prospect of losing them at the close of the undertaking. These are the Fernery and Aquarium. The former in regard to which a desire for permanent retention ' is particularly shown is a singularly beautiful resort. Out of 130 species of ferns, native to New Zealand, it contains more than 80 and it is so arranged with > falling streamlets, little cascades, and moss-covered bridges, as to resemble a perfectly lovely corner of the natural bush. Probabiy never Before has such a large proportion of New Zealand ferns been brought together in a public fernery. One or two nikau palms, five species of tree ferns, and a specimen of lancewood add beauty and dignity to the collection. Many of the ferns se?m to be thriving almost better than in the bush itself.