THE EXHIBITS.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 155, 21 November 1896, Page 6

THE EXHIBITS.

ALIMENTARY, OR FOOD, PRODUCTS. 'The following is a continuation of our report of the exhibits, classified in accordance with the notification in yesterday's issue : — THE EMPIRE COMPANY, LIMITED ' (W. and G. Turnbull & Co.) Situated in No. 2 Bay at the extreme •western end, and occupying a space of 42ft x sft, the Empire Company has an exhibit which, in its own section of the food products class, is certainly facilt princeps. As a spectacle it is very attractive, but it is in the number and quality of the manufactures shown that ex-i-elleive consists. Briefly described, the exhibit hib'« the form of a long counter, biickod by lavors of shelves ; on the counter arc built up pyramids of the articles claiming pull if notice,, on the shelves .are other samples ' of the lines produced by the firm, and down the front ed^e of the counter, to put it that May, runs a line of small glass-covered compartments, con* taining samples of the raw materials used in the company's factory. ' It is the gay labels, the coloured wrappings, the tinfoil capsules, and the "posing" of the goods which constitute the attractive features of this exhibit, and lend to it striking effect. In the centre design will be seen an excellent sample of the candied peel made by the company from fruits grown in Gisborne. This is a recently added line of industry to the already hug list of the firm's goods. On the left-hand another structure is built up of the varied cordials made by the company, and which take a high place in the trade. This structure is topped by a framed Award obtained at the Taranaki Exhibition, and is only one of several similar certificates of merit in the possession of the firm. There will be noticed an assortment of such leading " Empire " specialties the "French," "Dragon," "Mocha," and *' National " brands of coffee, the "Dragon" baking powder, egg powder, pepper, spices of all kinds, and oils, including salad, castor, and olive, all prepared by the company for the New Zealand trade. On the extreme right there is another pyramid devoted to the display of culinary essences. A strong feature this, and around it are grouped table jelly powders, bottled olives and capers, bottled herbs (a very handy line for the household), Indian chutnee, 4c. A sample of lime-juice is also shown, and, what is of equal interest, it is in a bottle manufactured at Newtown, "Wellington South. His Excellency the Governor, it will be remembered, in his opening speech on Wednesday said that New Zealand possessed the finest sand in the world for glass-bottle making. The maker of the bottle containing the lime-juice above referred to is most anxious to know where this sand is, because up to the present he has had to import his material— at least, we have been informed to that effect. The "Empire" Worcester Sauce, said to be made from the original recipe for that popular condiment, is another feature of the exhibit. Then we ' have Nelson hops in packets, so pressed in the packing that all air has been excluded. This brings us to an important line in the company's outfit — malt vinegar, in which a large trade is done. The firm possesses a certificate from the Government Analyst that this vinegar is a genuine article. By-the-bye, some small bags of "Flaked Oats" will probably attract the notice Of the visitor. We are told that this makes a porridge far mperiorto ordinary oatmeal. We accept the statement, of course, but should like corroboration by a genuine son of Scotia stern and wild. The above exhibit flanks on the eastern side the prettily designed and commodious kiosk in which are dispensed to the visitors to the Exhibition the well • known teablends prepared by the Empire Company. These blends and the firm's "brand" are go well known, and so widely, that we need not go into minute details. The architecture of the kiosk, which was designed by Mr. Turnbull, jun., architect, is Oriental in form and construction, light, pretty in colour, and altogether attractive, and certainly a notable feature among the designs in the Exhibition. That the teas are appreciated there is ample evidence in the fact that the kiosk is always crowded with patrons. Fair attendants, in a simple but effective uniform, leave nothing wanting for the comfort of these patrons, and there are all the conditions which make a visit to it a pleasure as well as a satisfaction. The Empire Company has good reason to be proud of (both its displays in the Exhibition, to the success of which it in no small measure aids. , s W. J. GAUDIN. A small display this, but excellent of its kind, in juxtaposition to that of the United Farmers' Co-operative Association, and belonging to the same subsection of its class. Here, too, will be found cereals, seeds, fine quality flour, and a splendid sample of Indian corn. Distinguishing features xrill be noticed in the trusses, respectively of baled hay, straw, oats in the sheaf, &c. And a mention may be made also of a good sample of oatmeal, that staple break_st requisite of most colonial families of any dimensions. OTHEB KINDBED 'EXHIBITS. In No. 4 Bay Messrs. T i). H. Brown & Co. set forth in a fairly attrrative way the claims of their " Peerless " brand of flouv— a brand widely known and apra-oved. Next this exhibit Messrs.Wood Bros., the well-known millers, of Christchurch, display their special make of flour, and such specialties as " Semolina," arid a whole wheatmeal flour. Neither this nor the former exhibit makes any pretension to magnificence in display. It is characterised by simplicity and the practical, as is conlistent with its nature. l*or bread is, as is known, a simple food enough, but as valuable as any, if not more no. E. H. CBEASE AND SON. A handsomely designed glass show-case in No. 4 Bay, at the western cad, serves to give the public some idea, of the valuable local industry conducted in our midst by the above firm. Formerly Messrs. Crease, it ■was understood, only packed their principal lines, as their well-known coffee, pepper^ and baking powder. Kovr, however, other lines have been added, involving the employment ot ,extra labour, such as esMmcas, candied peel, Ac. The show-case referred to — and which, we think, has been seen in former exhibition;. — contains a very complete «et of samples of t he firm's manufactures. Their special feature outside those mentioned is the " Quaker" brand of wheat, which claims to be a valuable digestive aid, and in regard to th'aefficiency of which the firm possesses a good' ty number of testimonials. Messrs. Creawi & Sons' coffees and peppers are so well ar,a favourably known that it is needless for us to enlarge upon their qualities. " Good wine needs no bush." GKIFFtff AND SONS. This local firm has an artistically-arranged exhibit belonging to the sub-section of food stuffs at the so'ath end of No. 2 Bay. Their apace is 100f» v j n extent, and they have made the most 'of it. Th« cAutnl future ii. in

Gargantuan proportions, a facsimile of the firm's biscuit tins of the celebrated "Eureka" brand — " Eureka " being the motto of the firm. In front of and at the sides of this are arranged and built up in glass cases, boxes, and tinned ware, samples j of the biscuit and confection goods made by Griffin & Sons. The extent of their manufacture may be judged when we state that they make over 100 different kinds of biscuits. Lollies are a feature in their exhibit, and will make the juveniles' mouths to water the while they gaze. Special features in this line are jujubes, various sorts of acidulated and perfumed drops, and notably a new line in dessert pastiles. In drained and candied peel a good display is also made, and there is a self-raising flour exhibited for which much is claimed. Some sugar flowers and fruit are exceedingly pretty. A very complete exhibit this. KIRKPATBICK & CO. Griffin and Sons are local agents for the well-known " X" jams, &c, manufactured by Messrs. Kirkpatrick & Co., of Nelson, whose exhibit is also in No. 2 Bay at the south end. The case in which the jams and other goods are displayed is a handsome one, and the show is very complete. It comprises all the brands of the " X" jams and preserved meats so widely familiar in the colony, and notably the " nectarine " Hue, a specialty. ' D. STRANG & CO. Tliis Invercargill firm is also represented looally by Griffin & Sons. Their exhibit will be found in No. 4 Bay at the southern end. It is small in size, and in the form of a show-case containing the special lines of the firm's manufactures. These are well known, for Messrs. Strang show awards received at the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1881, the Sydney Exhibition of 1879, and at all the New Zealand Exhibitions from and including 1885. These special lines consist of the " Maori " and the '• Union •' brands of < coffees, pepper, spices, &c, and the specialties — the soluble coffee, which is as simply and quickly made as cocoa, and the " Kokoff " coffee, in which a small admixture of cocoa is made for the purpose of developing the flavour of the coffee. Housewives will be certain to find attraction in this and kindred exhibits. WELLINGTON BISCUIT AND CONFECTIONERY COMPANY. We are unable to say under pressure of what exigency the above firm has somewhat hidden the very excellent exhibit of its manufactures at the extreme western corner of No. 1 Bay. It merits a more conspicuous position. It is arranged very tastefully, and, if occupying a less space than some other displays of its class, is thorough in ; ts character and important, from an industrial standpoint. The show-case of glass forming part of the exhibit is of novel design, and is surmounted by the Crown and Royal Arms. Its contents- are "epresentative of the firm's admirable confection work, chiefly of the fancy varieties, special mention being deserved for the miniature fruit and vegetable imitations in sugar. Of course ihe biscuit line is the more important, and in this respect the firm holds high rank, and is widely known. The varieties of biscuits are numerous. Other features include the leading lines of confectionery, chocolates, &c, usual in the trade, packed in nicelymade boxes, all demonstrating the excellent class of work carried out by the firm in this city. At previous Exhibitions the Wellington Biscuit Company has taken an equally high place for the quality and excellence of its manufactures. GEAR COMPANY. The Gear Meat Company has added to its exhibit some small blocks of ice, in the interior of which are shown bouquets of flowers, looking as fresh as in their unfrozen and natural stale. A visitor this morning, who wished to test the question as to whether the fragrance of the flowers found its subtle way through the ice. has now a severe chilblain on the tip of his nose. This by way of warning.