THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8364, 21 February 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

I'" By Telegraph—Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. The free fireworks display by the representative of Pain and Sons, Ltd., has been the main feature of the Exhibition programme to-day. A crowd of several thousands gathered to watch the display, which was of a highly brilliant and novel character. The set pieces were of the most ingenious design, and showers of myriad coloured fiery stars and other features of aerial exhibition were beautiful beyond description. The gigantic fiery portrait of Sir John Hall, Mayor of Christchurch, proved a very good likeness, and was greeted with loud applause. Other fireworks displays will be given every Wednesday night. The Orchestra is still attracting big attendances and both the concerts given to-day were largely patronised. The exhibitors have been finding business very good since New a Year, especially during the last two weeks. Some of them admit that it is much better than they expected, and if it remains as good they will be well satisfied. Two hundred Hawke's Bay Maoris have annouunced their willingness and readiness to come at once to the Exhibition pah. The prospects of an invasionjin these numbers caused some anxiety amongst the pah authorities, and a telegram was at once despatched bidding the enthusiastic natives to take no action till Mr Gregor McGregor, who has been in charge of the Maori contingents, can choose a body of fifty from their number. The time for receiving entries for the Baby Show, on Thursday, was extended till noon to-day, with'the result that no less than 360 have been entered. The number includes several from the North Island. The winners of the medals will receive, in addition, cash prizes as follows:-—Gold msdal, 30s; silver medal,, 20s; bronze medal, 10s. A large number of additions have been made to the aquarium in the shape of stuffed fish of various American species, also numerous photographs of fish from America.' The aquarium is already one of the most popular portions of the Exhibition, and these additions wilt add to its attractiveness. In connection with the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's meeting, to be held on the Sports Ground on Thursday and Saturday next, the Dunedin team, of twenty-five, and also the Wellington team arrived to-day, the Auckland competitors having made their arrival yesterday. A number of competitors from Southland will also take part. The Hon. Mr Powlds will present the Provincial Championship Shield on the Sports Ground, on Saturday afternoon, and at the Mayoral reception on the same day the trophies won at the meeting will be presented by the Minister. By special concession it is provided that tickets costing one shilling can be obtained on Thursday and Saturday, at the entrance, which will admit holders to the Exhibition Grounds and also the Athletic Meeting on the Sports Grounds. A demonstration by the members of the Christian Endeavour Union will be held to-morrow. The Besses o' th' Barn Band will commence a return season of twelve afternoons and evenings on the 28th instant. Large promises of entries have been already received for the Pet Show, to be held at Wonderland in connection with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, on Friday, March Bth. A number of performing opossums from Tasmania will be among the pets on view, which will constitute an ex- ; tremely mixed assemblage. The Wonderland Proprietary will provide all the prizes, to the value of over thirty guineas, and defray all expenses, in addition to making a handsome donation to the funds of the Society. The display of daylight fireworks on the afternoon of Saturday week is expected to bring an unprecedented number of children to the Exhibition. The attendance today reached the high total of 15,767, bringing the aggregate to date to 1,266,278. The total attendance, therefore, is already well over a million and a quarter.