THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8372, 5 March 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph—Special Service.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 4,

The performances of the Besses o' th' Barn Band, this afternoon, and evening, again drew large attendances. The sacred concert given by the Band on the Sports Ground, yesterday afternoon, was listened to by over nine thousand persons, and the gross proceeds are expected to add £SOO to the Seddon Memorial Fund. A new case has been placed in the Agricultural Department's court containing samples of Cape tunkey and Australian mohair. The collection includes hair as taken from goats, samples of "tops," or material after it has been washed and combed, specimens of yarns, and finally of finished materials made from mohair, eonsisting of ladies' dress fabrics of great variety, some of which have all the appearnce of silk and plushes, which are largely used for upholstering purposes. The collection was presented by Sir Titus Salt to Mr E. A. Scannell, who is an enthusiast regarding the value of theAngora goat to the Commonwealth and has a large flock of these goats in South Australia. The exhibit was shown by Mr Scannell at the recent exhibition held at the Royal Exchange, Sydney, and has been lent by him to the New Zealand Department of Agriculture for exhibition here before being presented to the proprietary of the Sydney Mail. The collection suggests an interesting comparison with several other exhibits of mohair. In the court there is a curious exhibit of interest. It is a large and beautiful wreath made as a tribute of honour to the memory - of the late Captain Hutton, curator of the Canterbury Museum, and now on view in a glass case in the Exhibition. The wreath was rtiade by Mr H. J. Stone and Miss -Stone, of Woodend, and it occupied them continuously for twelve months. It is composed entirely of New Zealand flax fibre, and the plumage of New Zealand native birds. The feathers of twenty -six varieties of birds were used, several of them being extinct. The Government permitted JMr and Miss Stone to take feathers of some of the birds'from public collections. The workmanship of the wreath, is extremely delicate, elaborate feathers being combined to form many graceful and beautifully-coloured flowers. The cheap excursion for visitors to the Exhibition from Invercargill, Gore, and Waimea Plains brought 356 excursionists to-day. It is notable that, with all the heavy Exhibition traffic of the past few months, there has not been a single accident. The Hawke's Bay Maoris, whose performances at the pah have been of such a high order of merit, left for their homes to-day. Mr Hamilton is trying to arrange for parties of Maori school children- to visit the pah. The General Manager of the Exhibition has received a letter from Major W. S. Austin, officer commanding - the Grey Public School Cadet Battalion stating that the battalion "keenly appreciate vonr many kindnesses on their behalf, and I have to thank you sincerely for the facilities granted to the boys, not only as regards special privileges in connection with amusements, but also opportunities afforded for their participation ,in public displays." A very large number of entries have been raceivecl for the Pet Show, to be held under the auspices of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,* on Friday afternoon, and, eventuating on the grounds of "Wonder- . land." The entries range from the smart hansom cab and horse to the diminutive hedge-hog. A number of performing animals have also been entered and will be put through some novel and remarkable tricks. Extensive preparations have been made by the "Wonderland" authorities for the display. The exhibitors of tickets for the Pet Show will be admitted free to the Exhibition. Entries for the competition for essays on kindness to animals will be accepted up to Wednesday night. Numerous entries for the Dahlia and Fruit Show io the main corridor of the Exhibition, next Wednesday and Thursday, have been received up to the present. The exhibits of fruit will be a record. The dinner table decorations are more in number than at the previous shows, and the displays for exhibition only exceed those at the other show held in the Exhibition.