THE EXHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2005, 14 February 1907, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

(By Telegraph Special Service.} CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The Band Contest is still proceeding with astonishing enthusiasm at the Exhibition. A T estcrday’s competitions did not finish till well past one o’clock this morning, yet several hundreds of people remained to the hitter end, principally to hear the AA’ellingtoii, Newcastle, and AYanganui bands. To-day tile G Bass, euphoniums, trombone, tenor horn, and llugel horn competitions have been going on in the concert hall, and thero lias been a good attendance most of the day, which was largely increased in the evening. The interest of the band contest, liowovor, was eclipsed for thousands by the fire-works display this evening, which was oven larger and more abounding in brilliant novelties than the fine exhibitions previously given. The display attracted an immense attendance, which crowded the spacious grounds, and filled every corridor of the building before and after pyrotechnic exhibition. Included in tiio programmo was a beautiful display of soaring fire balloons, mechanical trains of ever-changing fires, and a number of sot pieces, which concluded with a wonderfully and detailed representation of a Chinese pagoda. Tlio Fijians took a sorrowful departure from a host of Christchurch friends this morning, before leaving in the afternoon by the Manuka for Auckland, en route for their native isles. They have left behind them the picturesque native house they built soon after arrival, which it is expected will bo sold locally. Mr AVm. Monk, the Sydney organist, who made such a favorable impression by his recital yesterday, will give a second in the concert hall to-morrow, and possibly a third later on. The biggest baby show ever seen in New Zealand will ho held in the main corridor of the Exhibition on Thursday, February 21st. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will bo given for babies under six months, babies from six to twelve months, babies from one year to two years, the prettiest baby, and the host developed baby up to two years, separate classes being formed in every case for girls and boys. A silver mug will also he presented to the thousandth baby to enter “Baby’s Rest,” conducted by the AVomen’s Christian Temperance , Union, which has accommodated close upon eight hundred infants to date. The show will be under the joint auspices of the Exhibition authorities and the AA r omen’s Christian Temperance Union. The general manager of the Exhibition will ho one of the three judges, the others being Dr. Alice Moovhouse, and Mrs Field. Entries close on February 19tli. The Maoris are planning with much enthusiasm the details of their defence of the pa against the attack by volunteers, which is to be a feature of the military tatoo on Friday night. The whole of the bands competing in the present contest will take part in the tattoo, and the performance by massed bands and a torchlight procession of nine hundred bandsmen, together with volunteers and cadets, should have a most picturesque effect. To-day’s attendance reached the high total of 18,000.