THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8386, 21 March 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph—Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, March 20. v The weather, to-day, was brighter than yesterday for the second day of the Fire Brigades Competitions, o» the Exhibition Sports Ground, but a chill wind blew continuously 'and by the evening had increased almost to a gale. The competitions were of even more spectacular interest than those of yesterday, and the attendance of the public was much larger than on the opening day. In the evening, despite the unpropitious weather, an immense crowd witnessed the spectacular demonstration of fighting the flames by the city fire brigades. The display was accompanied by the eleventh exhibition of fireworks by representatives of Pain and Sons, London. Only two more of these fireworks entertainments will' be given, one on Wednesday next and the final one on the night of Easter Monday, when a specially extensive and elaborate display will be given, in which the whole of the remaining stock of fireworks will be used. From the point of view of attendance these displays of fireworks have been quite the most potent attraction that the Exhibition has seen since its inception. The fact that they cam be witnessed without special charge may have something; to do with their popularity, but, whatever kind of weather is experienced? they never fail to draw a crowd of many thousands to the Exhibition grounds. There has been great activity, to-day, in brightening up the district courts for the judging to-morrow. Pot plants and other decorations have been in great request, and the courts have now a very festive appearance. ' Seventy boats are expected to take part in the torchlight procession to be held on the to-night, in connection with the Fire Brigades' Demonstration. The procession will be headed by several motor launches filled with bandsmen and firemen bearing .torches and discharging fireworks will fill the smaller craft. Miss C. Livingston was successful as a vocalist at a well-attended popular concert in the Concert Hall to-night, and Mr George Weston, leader of the Orchestra,, gave several violin solos. The solo contributions of several other rtlembers of the Orchestra to its various programmes have been a highly popular feature. There has been a,slight misunderstanding between the authorities in regard to some of the attractions advertised to take place in connection with the physical development competitions and the search for the buried nugget in Wonderland on Friday. Some adverse comments having been made against the proposals of- the Wonderland management to offer prizes for the most handsome female arm and shoulder and most handsome female ankfe, to be exposed bare, Mr Munro notified the Manager of Wonderland that he had not given permission to hold a beauty show, and in the meantime that the item must be withdrawn. The Manager of Wonderland, however, states that the competitions indicated are comprised in the physical development contests, which were duly authorised, and that they will be held. Accordingly the offer of a prize for the prettiest girl in Christchurch is being withdrawn, as constituting the only beauty show on the programme. Mr Munro has made it plain that he did riot understand the position, and states that, though he has given permission for the holding of physical development competitions, he still reserves to himself the right to see that they are carried out in a proper manner, and if he takes exception to any feature it will have to be stopped' at once. The t Wonderland proprietary state that the competitions will be so managed that there will be no opportunity to,cavil., To-day's attendance was 15,906. The Governor and Act-ing-Premier were present at the fireworks display.