THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8381, 15 March 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph—Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, March 14. This morning, at 10 minutes to 12 o'clock, the 1,500,000 th person passed through the Exhibition turnstiles, the fortunate one being again a lady, namely, Miss Dora Burak, of Wellington, who is employed in one of the tea-rooms at the Exhibition. About half the other turnstiles were closed, and Messrs Munro and Collins (Director of Admissions), took up their post inside the main entrance, carefully keeping count of all who entered. A crowd of about 150 persons had foregathered to watch the event, and the excitement ran high during the last five minutes. The announcement of the winner was a signal for a round of applause. A suitable presentation will be made to Miss Burak. A special organ recital was given in the Concert Hall, this afternoon, by Mr Harold Gregson, organist of Holy Innoee-ts Church, London West, and Exhibitioner Royal College of Music, London. There was a large attendance, and the organist made an exceedingly good impression. Mr Gregson will give other recitals to-morrow night and Saturday afternoon prior to leaving for England. In connection with the Agricultural and Pastoral competitions, Mr H. E. McGowan, of South Canterbury, has written to the authorities stating that he is bring- | ing 150' varieties of potatoes for com- ' petition in this section. The schedule i provides that exhibits in the grain, , seed and • roots competition must be dtsprayed to-morrow, and judging will probably commence on Saturday. The entries for the prize essay competition on the subject of kindness to i animals, held in connection with the Pet Show promoted by the Canterbuy Society of ; .Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and held in Wonderland last week," totalled 135, contributions being sent from ail parts of the colony. The judging was carried out by Miss Freeman (Girton College) and T. H. Race (Canadian Commissioner) who, on Tuesday night, completed their task. They report that the work all round was of a high order of excellence. The following were the prize-winners:— For boys and girls under 16: Elsie Wilkinson, 15 years, 1; Grace O'Malley (School of Sacred Heart, Christchurch), 2; Bertha Lowe (West Christchurch School) 8. Under 13 years: Charles Colechin, 13 years, 1; Mary Forne 2; Pettie Cronin, 3. Special prizes for original essays: D. J. Whitcombe, 1; Minnie Rattray, 2. Mr Jaques, the Government Canning Expert, had an audience of some 200 interested spectators at his instructive demonstration in the art of preserving and bottling pears this afternoon. Further demonstrations will be given to-mor-row and Saturday. Mr Hamilton, who is in charge of the Maori pa at the Exhibition, has left for Wellington to arrange for .the despach of a further contingent of haka and poi dancers. A party of 78 boys from the Napier High School, who have been visiting the Exhibition under the charge of the Headmaster, returned to the North by the Mararoa, yesterday. Prior to their departure the manager and staff wrote to the headmaster letters exprussii g their appreciation of the excellent conduct of the lads during their stay. The next display of daylight fireworkp will be held on Saturday afternoon, when the Canterbury College annual sports will also be held on the Sports Ground. The town is full of visiting fire brigadesmen, who will take part, in the international contests, which will commence on Tuesday next, when an interesting week's programme of competitions will be commenced, which will be diversified by water fetes, river procession and S other novel entertainments.