THE EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8386, 22 March 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION.

By Telegraph—Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH. March 21. The attendance at the Exhibition to-day reached the high total of 16,543. The weather was warm and bright for the continuation of the Fire Brigade Contests, which attracted a large crowd to. the Sports Ground during the day. In the evening there was a huge attendance to view the water procession on the Avon, in which about 70 boats, filled with firemen, took part. A large number of monster balloons with fireworks attached, which could not be used in connection with the pyrotechnic display of theprevious night owing to; the high wind, were sent up by a -representative of Pain and Sons, London, preceded by flights of rockets. A parade of school cadets was also a feature of the evening's entertainment. The Hawke's Bay Cadets left for home to-day by the Te Anau, after a very pleasurable week's stay, and were succeeded by battalions from Wanganui (250 strong) and Nelson (120 strong). A small contingent of Maoris, who remain in the pa, gave a very creditable performance of pois and hakas, this afternoon, before a large number of spectators. The pa will soon be thickly populated once again, and entertainments on a large scale will then be resumed at regular intervals. Mr Longden, in charge of the British section of the Art Gallery, reports the following further ! sales to prjvate buyers :~Oil paintings: "Guardian Elves," by George W. Joy, £75. Water colours: "A Market Place, Holland," by R. M. Coventry, £26; "A Scottish Burnside Autumn," by A. McßrirK £3O; Etchings, by H. Dicksee (2), G. Gascoigne, H. A. Banerle and Sir George Clifford, ranging in prices from £1 10s to 12gns, and numbers of objects in arts and crafts section. When the Australian grapes were at the Exhibition last week many people were disappointed because the whole consignment was sold before they could obtain a sample. Mr Scott, the South Australian Commissioner, has accordingly applied to the Government for permission to import afresh supply and has received a telegram from the Acting-Premier, stating that the imporation of a further consignment of five tons for sale at the Exhibition has been sanctioned. Mr Scott cabled to-night for a second consignment to be sent, and they are expected to arrive in three weeks' time. Mr George Bisset, editor of the publications for the Agricultural Department, commenced the judging of the district courts to-day. Judging is expected to take four or.five,days. The courts have been furbished up for the ordeal, and have never looked so well since the first weeks of the Exhibition. In connection with the agricultural and pastoral competitions, Mr Walter Hill, of Christchurch. commenced the judging of the wool exhibits tnis morning. Mr Watchsmann, of this city, is judging the grain and produce. At the final fireworks display on Easter Monday it is proposed to show a magnificent triumphal arch composed of fireworks, on which the total attendance at the Exhibition till that date will be displayed. The Australian dogs, which will take part in the Christchurch Dog Trial Club's sheep-yarding competitions, on* the! Sports Ground, on Monday, were seen performing in the club's preliminary competitions, on Cashmere Hills, to-day. Two of them were at a disadvantage in being evidently unused to hill work, but the other two acquitted themselves well. The prospect of seeing J tßem pitted against New Zealand • dogs, on Monday,' is being looked forward to with much interest. The oratorio "Elijah" will be given in the Exhibition Concert Hall onjMarch 26th and 27th, with full chorus and orchestra, Mr Henry Wells, organist, of Christchurh, being conductor.