THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8370, 1 March 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph—Special Service,

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night,

The General Manager of the Union Company has advised Mr Munro that the following cheap trips have been arranged in connection with the .Exhibition-The Union Company will run from Wellington and Dunedin two special exur«ions this week; also two special excursions from Picton and Nelson, one to-morrow and the other on a date to be subsequently arranged. Two similar excursions will be run from Grey mouth and Westporfc on or about March 4th and 11th; and one from Onehunga on March 7th. For all these excursions return tickets will be issued at single fares. The Union Company, in conjunction with the Huddart Parker Company, have also arranged for two excursions each from Sydney and Melbourne next month. Saloon return tickets for these will be issued at single fares, and will be available for two months. The Hawke's Bay Maoris gave the best entertainment that has been seen for some time in the pah this afternoon. The temporary stockade within the pah was defended by party of natives, and the attacking force crossed the lake in a big war canoe, which holds about 60 rowers, to assault their stronghold. There was no general engagement, but the two champions 1 of the rival forces engaged in an exciting conflict outside the rough fortification,which was thereupon declared to be taken. The natives then gave some magnificent performances of hakas nnd war dances, and the | women danced two poi dances very gracefully. Arrangements for the convenience of the public have been much improved by trebling the area of the enclosure on which the performances are given. Another sham fight and combined exhibition of dances will be given on Saturday. The Besses-o-th'-Barn Band gave their first performances of the-return season on the Sports Ground this afternoon and evening before large attendances. During the progress of the Exhibition there have never been so many cadets in camp by about one-third as there are at present. The Wairarapa boys took their departure to-day, and were at once succeeded by a small army of 550 newcomers, consisting of No. 2 Battalion Hawke's Bay cadets, numbering -312 of all ranks, under Major Stevens; 191 boys of the Westport Battalion, under Major Neves; and the Weraroa School boys and a band to the number of 47. The lads enjoyed a good passage from the North, and were especially well cared for on the steamer. Mr Munro has not abandoned his idea of holding a football tournament before the close of the Exhibition. His suggestion is that all the principal senior teams in New Zealand should be invited to take part and that handsome trophies should be offered. He further suggests a cash contribution towards the travelling expenses of each team on the following scale: — Auckland teams to the amount of £2O;, teams from Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North, £ls; Wellington and Dunedin teams, £10; Southland teams, £ls; and West Coast, £ls. Mr Munro thinks it hardly fair that teams should be asked to put themselves to great expense to provide a magnificent entertainment for which the Exhibition would reap the benefit, and as he understands that the teams would not be allowed to compete for cash prizes it appears to him that no sporting rule ought to be infringed by this proposal to Jdefray expenses. There is practically no limit to the curious contents which will be emitted in the mid-air by the Japanese and English shells to be exploded in the course of the daylight fireworks at the Exhibition on Saturday afternoon. Among the list are fighting cocks, horses and riders, devilfish, full dressed ladies, writhing serpents, golden butterflies and an exhibition of grotesque and monster balloons will also be a feature of this unique display.