MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8451, 31 May 1907, Page 7

MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

PRIZE ESSAYS. SECTION 111. (We have been requested to publish 4T the prize essays of the successful ■competitors, for prizes presented in connection with tJ\e best essays written by the Cadets on their visit to the Exhibition. The prizes were presented by Mr G. S. W. Dalrymple and by the Chairman of the School Committee, Mr R. Brown.) . (By Private Thomas Christie; first prize, Section III.) On the 21st February a train left the Masterton Railway Station carrying 111 ypAj* from the Masterton DistriclffiiHr School and proceeded to Wellington, where the Cadets embarked on the s.s. Te Anau,, which sailed that night and had a rough passage to Lyttelton, where a train was ready to take them to Christchurch. The next morning I opened my eyes to see above me a spread of White canvas. Upon listening one could hear the shouting and laughing J[Hhe boys, who were putting their out of the tents, and surveying, with wonderment written large on their faces the two large towers of the International Exhibition. We were all very stiff, for we had a very •tedious journey from Masterton, in the North Island, and some of the boys were still ill. As I had been here before, I knew my way about quite well, and instantly recognised the machinery hall and water chute, (besides several other places of interest. 'About eight a.m. a bugle sounded and the orderlies were sent to draw the rations, and, after a very hearty breakfast, we had two hours drill and then, after a very hearty dinner, we were allowed to go to the Exhibition coming, back and going to our tents to talk excitedly for a while, about nine o'clock. From the Cadet camp it was only a few minutes' walk to the Exhibition, where we were admitted free because we were in uniform, and upon entering, straight in , front ot you, were some penguins and sea lions. To your left was a beautiful Maori pah, -arid to your right the Victoria Lake, and the water chute. After walking for a short time you come to the back part of the main building, and entering you are attracted by a beautiful working model of a steamship /and even the people on the decks . move about. A beautiful singer can be heard by means of a phonograph though you are three or four hundred yards away. A nice cup of cocoa can be obtained, for one penny, which makes you quits pleased when you have sipped it. In the centre of the dome, which is immediately behind the two towers, is a large fountain which helps to cool the air considerably. From the different stalls a very good notion may be obtained of the different things manufactured in New Zealand and of the different things sent to us, from other countries, such as Canada, Fiji,' and Japan. Upon going upstairs some real Victory copper may be seen or bought; also, an exact imitation of Nelson's cabin, and a small medal may be bought for one shilling. A moa bird, as men suppose it was like when alive, is also oi a stand in the right wing of ~ the E-Jkibition.

(By Private George Saker; second prize, Section 111.) When we were told that it had been arranged that the Cadets should visit the Christchurch Exhibition we ■were very pleased as well as excited. We brought our swags to School on Wednesday morning, and left at halfpast two and inarched to the station, v whers<we left by the mail train. A few boys were train-sick before we reached Wellington, but nearly all were sea-sick before we reached Lyttelton about eleven. We sailed in the Te Anau which rolls terribly. Arriving at an unexpected hour we 'had a rather hutricd meal before pitching camp. Being allowed two o'clock, we .went to the Exhibition, and returned at nine. Up at six and down to the river for a wash, and drill, each officer drilling his own , separately. Then we had breakfast and battalion parade and dinner. ReJB»arding the Exhibition it is really especially Wonderland, and the buildings themselves resemble stone though really made of plaster. , The water chute is very exciting as is the toboggan. The thing that I liked most was going up in the electric lift to the tower, from where I sent a postcard home and saw the grofands by night. On Sunday-we had a church parade in the Cathedral. The day we left was very busy as we had to strike camp and pack up. The return home was much better than the trip down. We got into Masterton at two o'clock on Friday. T # he Wairarapa Battalion consisted of eight companies with t Major Parkinson in command.