ART AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3540, 13 November 1882, Page 2

ART AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

As promised in our is3iie of Saturday we now give particulars of the leading features of the abo*e collection, of which the principal is the large display of pictures. Those lent by Captain Russell claim the first place, for

they include large artist proof copies of the works by Miss Thomson, " Tbe Roll Call," " Quatre Bras," and " Balaclava," also Dore's " Christ leaving the Pr_toriutn" (a picture now on view in London, and to see which alone a shilling is charged) " Dream of Pilate's Wife," " Night of the Crucifixion," " Triumph of Christianity," " Christian Martyrs," " House of Caiapbae," and others, all very large and beautiful engravings, and alone worth the price of admission to see. Captain Russell has also lent his collection of oil paintings from the old masters, also photographs, and gems of statuary. These are all displayed to great advantage (indeed there is not a single picture that is not hung with due regard to light and distance, bo that it is no trouble to the spectator to appreciate their beauties). The large assortment of oleographs, ehromos, and water colors next claims attention. Here there is endless and pleasing variety, and every spot of wall space ia set with some attractive study, and the best specimens of pictures of all kinds are to be seen. The beautiful collection of statuary is a notable feature of the exhibition. Two large figures are lent by the Marist Brothers, and Mr Balfour's exhibits "Eve," " Venus and Pschye," " Highland Mary," and others in clear marble, are splendid specimens of the sculptor's art. Two lovely ideal figures, " Night" and " Morning," lent by Mrs M. S. Bell, occupy prominent positions. These figures are admirably displayed on beautifully dressed brackets, and are brought out into relief each by the spread tail of a peacock fleot by Messrs Wilson and Balfour) placed at the back of the figures. Dr. Spencer, Messrs M. R. Miller, H. Hill, A. J. Cotterill, J. S. Large, J. Corbett, and Captain Russell have also lent marble statuettes, and the Venus di Medici, lent by Mrs Bell, completes thi9 part of the collection. The exhibits of art work are attractive, and should not be missed by lady visitors; a banner screen by the Convent Sisters, a bracket cover by Miss Darwent, a cushion cover by Mrs Sheath, two bracket borders by Mrs H. Hill, aud point-lace work, etc., by Mrs Andrews, Miss Smith. Mrs May, and pupils of the different schools in the town aud district, amongst numerous other specimens of ladies' work, are greatly admired. Amongst the collection of photographs, that of "Windsor Castle," lent by Mr A. J. Cotterill, is a fine example of what photography is capable, aud a large album of views lent by Mr H. A. Banner, contains the best specimens of the art that we have seen. There are surprisingly beautiful works of art in feathers, a pair of screens of Canadian Indian manufacture lent by Mrs Banner and a hand screen lent by Dr. Spencer, being perfect gems of feather work, whilst the display of beautiful and unique china, pottery, and porcelain is unequalled for variety, and excellence of design and material. Some rare old jewellery lent by Mrs M. S. Bell, Mrs Duncan, Mra Tylee, Mrs Cross, Messrs Lyndon, Chamberlain, and others, excites much attention, and the ivory vases hand carved by Chinese artists, lent by the latter gentleman, are beautiful specimens of patient and skilful carving. There is a large collection of ancient M.S.S., newspapers hundreds of years old, and rare editions of books, besides a Times newspaper of a century hence, which is greatly amusing to those who look over it. Several beautifully mounted stuffed birds find a place in the exhibition ; these are mostly lent by Messrs E. Patten, S. Hooper, and others, and there is an English pole-cat lent by Mr D. Fox. Shells, coins, curios, and fosils, etc., are largely represented, being mostly lent by Mesdames Bell, Hamlin, Birch, Leyland, Caulton, HiiJ, Stubbs, Stokes, and Kelly. We must not omit to mentioQ the collections of curio 9 lent respectively by Captain Russell, Mr Tylee, and Mr Anderson. Exhibits of local industry are few but very good. A handsome inlaid 100 table by Mr Dawson is an excellent specimen of the cabinet-makers' art, and a rustic flower-stand and garden chair, for which the maker, Mr Jorgensen, obtained a medal and two certificates at the Danish Exhibition, were much admired. Amongst other local exhibits a stand of the various liqueurs and cordials manufactured by Messrs Gilberd and Co. attracts attention, and samples of the numerous kinds of biscuits made by Mr J. Heron, which, on being tasted by visitors, are pronounced excellent. In the native court there is a complete collection of New Zealand ferns admirably displayed, lent by Mr S. Luxford ; a lot of war clubs, spears, and other implements from different parts of Polynesia ; various native mats, cloths, domestic utensils, etc., and models of catamarans and canoes, including a handsome model of a war sanoe lent by Mr Douglas McLean. Added to these there is a table spread with Mr S. Locke's exhibits, comprising a beautiful kiwi mat, carved meres, bawiae, and a great variety of greenstone axes and ornaments, shells, etc. Against the walls are tastefully arranged numerous implements of all kinds, from different savage and semicivilized races, including a couple of afsegais from the spot where the Prince Imperial fell in- Zululand. The attractiveness of the exhibition is largely added to by some beautiful flowering plants and ferns lent by Mr J. G. Kinross and Miss Williams. There are stereoscopes, musical boxes, pictorial scraps, pencil and chalk drawings, pen etchings, and other attractive things in great profusion, which will well repay a visit. We again urge our readers not to miss seeing the art and industrial exhibition, for of the many entertainments ever offered to the public this is most genuine, instructive, and pleasing, reflecting tbe greatest credit on the untiring industry of the hon. sec. to the Athenseum, who is in attendance at the exhibition daily, and courteously gives explanations and particulars otthe various exhibits in tbe collection. We think that the principals of every school in tbe district should arrange with Mr Bear for a visit to the exhibition. ~~^-_