THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8357, 14 February 1907, Page 4

THE EXHIBITION.

(By Telegraph—Special Service)

CHRISTCHURCH, February 13. The Band Contest is still proceeding with astonishing enthusiasm at the Exhibition. Yesterday's competitions did not finish till well past one o'clock this morning. Yet several hundreds of people .remained to the bitter end, principally to hear Wellington, Newcastle and Wanganui Bands. To-day the Euphonium, G Bass, Trombone, Tenor Horn and Flugel Horn Competitions have been going on in the Concert Hall, and there has been a good attendance most of the day, which was largely increased in tlie evening. Even the interest in the Band Contest, however, was eclipsed by the fireworks display this evening which was even larger and more abounding in brilliant novelties than the fine exhibitions previously given. The display attracted an immense attendance, which crowded the spacious grounds and filled every corridor of the buildifig before and after the pyrotechnic exhibition. Included in the programme were beautiful displays of soaring fire balloons, mechanical trains, of ever-changing fires, and § number of set pieces,, which concluded with a wonderfully faithful and detailed representation of a Chinese pagoda. The Fijians took a sorrowful departure of a host of Christchurch friends this morning before leaving in the afternoon by the Manuka for Auckland, en route for their native isles. They have left behind them a picturesque native house they tyuilt soon after their arrival, which it is expected will be sold locally. Mr W. M. Monk, the Sydney organist, who made such a favourable impression by his recital yesterday, will give a second l'ecital in the Concert Hall to-morrow, and possibly a third later on. The biggest baby show ever seen in tyew Zealand will be held in the main corridor of the Exhibition on Thursday, .February 21st. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be given for babies under six months, babies from six to twelve months, babies from a year to two years, the prettiest baby, and best developed baby up to two years, separate classes being formed in every case for girls and boys. A silver mug will also be presented to the thousandth baby to enter the "baby's rest," conducted by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which has accommodated close upon 800 infants to date. The baby show will be under the joint auspices of the Exhibition authorities, and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. The general manager of the Exhibition will be one of three judges, the others being Dr. Alice Moorhouse and Mrs Field. Entries close on February 19th. The Maoris are planning with much enthusiasm the details of their defence of the pah against an attack by the volunteers, which is to be a feature of the military tattoo on Friday night. The whole of the bandscompeting in the present contest will take part in the tattoo and the performance by the massed bands and torchlight procession of nine hundred bandsmen, together with volunteers and cadets, should have a most picturesque effect. To'-day's attendance reached the high total of 18,008.