1906 Christchurch International Exhibition

In 1906 Christchurch suddenly became the hub of the universe with the opening , early in November, of the Christchurch International Exhibition. This was situated in Hagley Park. The main entrance faced onto the end of Kilmore Street, where a temporary bridge spanned the Avon. Above the main entrance was a huge dome with a tower on either side. A heavy 'nor-wester' came when these were just completed and blew both of them down. However they were replaced in time for the opening which took place with great pomp and ceremony, including a spectacular military and naval parade. Junior and High School cadets in colourful uniforms were brought in from far and wide and camped in the park. A Maori Pa was set up on the eastern side of Victoria Lake and a notable feature of the amusement section was a Water Chute at the opposite end. Boats crammed with passengers were released down a steep include over which water continually poured and these would shoot down into the lake with a tremendous splash amid loud squeals from the ladies. Another attraction that appealed particularly to me was the diorama of the Battle of Gettysburg. Dad took my brother and me to see the reenactment of the fight, which was very realistic indeed. In the foreground of the circular enclosure were life size figures of men and horse together with all the military hardware of those times, all of which merged in to the cleverly painted background on the circular wall. A commentator recited the principal happenings of the day and, as the action commenced the flashes of fire from the guns, the loud explosions and sound of rifle fire accompanied by the acrid smell of burning powder, all contributed to make it look like the real thing. The cannonade was loud enough but this was soon intensified by a thunderstorm which burst over the corrugated iron structure. This was too much for my little brother who was so terrified that he had to be taken out before the battle was half over, much to my disappointment for that meant I had to go out too.