"ZEALANDIA."

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 3

" ZEALANDIA. "

The first exhibition of Messrs Willis and Seymour's panorama of New Zealand scenery took place last evening, at the Oddfellows HalL As explained by the lecturer, the exhibition is intended to place before the people of the old country, by means of pictorial representations, an idea of what New Zealand really ia. With this new, Mr Willis, an artist whose talents are well known, haa painted what may be called a pictorial history of the colony. Commencing with the discovery of New Zealand by Captain Cook the spectator is taken through various parts of the colony and introduced to scenes both in the city and amid the grandeur of nature. Of the pictures themselves it may be said that they are worthy of all praise, more especially the sea pieces, which are admirably done, and looked in the massive gilt frame which forms the fringe, as it were, of the diorama, almost good enough for a gallery. There is a naturalness about Mr mnis* sea pieces which makes them very enjoyable. Of these may be selected for especial commendation the view of Manukau Harbor with tbe a.a. Hawea, the Wakatipn in Cook Straits, and the Maori under Mount Cook in a snow storm. These were far above the average of panoramic punting, indeed, this applies to the whole of the pictures. The mechanical picture of the wreck of the "Orpheus" was managed. Mr Lock deserves every gredit for the admirable manner in which he carried out his work. The panoramio view of Auckland especially deserves mention for the artistic manner in which it is painted. Of the general pictures in the first part, those worthy of especial commendation were Poverty Bay, Queen Charlotte's Sound, and Kororareka. In these Mr WQlis has been successful in catching and [fixing on canvas _the tints peculiar to Hew Zealand scenery. In the second part

. there ia a pretty view of Wanganui, a good one of French Paaa, and the U.S.S. Company's steamer Hawea, a good view of Picton, and one of Taranaki with Mount Egmont in tbe distance. The third portion compriied several views of Christchurcb, Lyttelton, and Dunedin, all of which are well painted, and received deserved commendation at the hands of the audience. The illustrative lecture was delivered by Mr J. M. Parrier, and he at once placed himself en rapport with his audience. He condenses his facts and statistics into a very agreeable form, spiced here and there with much dry humour. One great point is that his descriptions do not weary his auditors, and the lecture baa the merit of being pointed axd we'l delivered. Miss Baby D\Arcy sang "Non c ver" and "Kathleen Mavourneen" very nicely. The panorama will be exhibited again this evening, and will well repay a visit.