THE EXHIBITION.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 162, 30 November 1896, Page 6

THE EXHIBITION.

«•' ♦ THE EXHIBITS. TEXTILE FABRICS — CLOTHING AND ACCESSOEIES. THE D.I.C. Statements have been made by members in our House of Representatives that our hetter-class colonists are compelled to send to England when they require attire of a superior order for their wives, their daughters, or themselves. To those who will have ■visited the large showcase of the D.I.C. and inspected the artistic costumes therein it must have occurred how ill-advised are such remarks, since here, in this D.I.C. exhibit, is their refutation. It has been conceded by all, and particularly by those who are the acknowledged exponents of the artistic, that these costumes are excellently conceived and most tastefully worked out, and that they reflect credit on the talented costumier at the head of the company's dressmaking department. It is a matter of congratulation that such extensive establishments as the D.1.C., while so thoroughly catering for the requirements of those of our citizens who .can afford to indulge in the'Juxury of a beautiful toilet, also cater for* the masses. The Industrial i Exhibition has done well in illustrating ! what can be attained in artistic handicraft by our local establishments. Tho central figure in the D.I.C. exhibit, and one of unflagging interest to the lady visitor, is the exceedingly handsome bridal dress. Being uninitiated in the deep mysteries of dress nomenclature we must not adventure . on a very full description. Suffice it to say that this very pretty dress is of the new Ondine silk, in a delicate ivory shade. The bodice is very tastefully trimmed with chiffdn and' the richest of laces. Then the sleeves, which are a reversion to the old-time tight-fitting sleeves, arc quaintly rucked and surmounted with the latest idea in "puffs." Pearl trimming aud chiffon, with the ever-present orange blossom and white satin bows, figure quietly, but with the utmost effect, in the trimming generally. The full, sweeping train, imparts to the dress a due stateliness. Of the other two elaborate gowns opinion is much divided as to their order of merit. "We, however, would place first the handsome dinner gown of black moire antique with white satin front, veiled with black sequin net, and panelled at the side most effectively with a sequin trimming. In all its details this dinner gown is harmonious jaud quiet, yet in itself elaborate. The prett}' MerveiJleux shot silk evening dress is, in our estimation, a triumph of refined taste. The artful combination of eau-de-nil and heliotrope chiffon, the vieux rose short sleeves and the pretty Godet skirt cut in scallops at the back, comprises a costume of great taste and high merit. ' " v , There aro also shown a number of exceedingly stylish hats and bonnets. We frequently heaa and read of "creations "as applied to millinery. What that means, wo cannot say ; but if " creations " mean fashionable headgear at once artistic and stylish, then we can fearlessly say that theso are " creations." The lady cyclist who so demurely contemplates mounting her " Townend" bicycle in tho show, case is one of the features of the Exhibition. She is evidently conscious of her pretty costume, which is an apt illustration of what ladies' tailoring in reality means. There are many who do not hesitate to loudly proclaim that this costume is an imported one — in fact, could not have been made in tho colony. It will be a surprise to them to learn that the material from which this costume is made was woven of New Zealand wool at tho Wellington Woollen Mills, and was made up into this pretty dress in the D.I.C. tailoring department. The management of the D.I.C. havo been riding their time to take up ladies' tailoring, md the lady's cycling costume in the D.I.C. jxhibit is a fitting inauguration of the new leparture. In addition to the costumes noticed, there .ire a dress suit, a cycling suit, and a shoot«n# suit, all of the Wellington Woollen Mili'i materials, and all likewise cut and made up under the supervision of the cutter in cljrfrgo of the D.I.C. tailoring department. The gentleman cyclist is mounted on an Osmond bicycle, for which renowned wheel, in conjunction with tho Townend cycles, tho D.I.C. holds tho Wellington agency. In conjunction with the D.I.C. exhibit of tailoring and dressmaking, tho Company makes a very excellent display of the famous "Victory" sowing machines, and the wonderful work of which they are capable. The young lady in charge of this exhibit illustrates to the wondering onlooker these excellent machines, sowing in turn with the came machine sheet lead, leather, and several plies of thick woollen stuff, fine calico, then working the most beautiful flowers, leave?, and designs in all faeir varied shading^ on muslins and nets with ordinary se wingi ng silks. Under her skilled and practised Land the production of every kind of flower, and every shading and form of pretty leaf, seems in tho highest degree simple and easy. The adaptability of these sewing machines to such artistic purposes should more than ever popularise what has proved to be one of the greatest boons of modern invention, tho sewing machine. In our notice of the Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company's exhibit it should ' have been stated that the credit of the arrangement and completeness of the exhibit js due to Mr. M. G. Heeles, who is the flrm'i) General Manager, and that of its dressing to Mr. S. Sharp, one of the company's staff. Mr. A. E. Donne is the Secretary of the company. Borne friction exists at present between the

Music Committee and the Executive, and as a result the Chairman of the former, Mr. Gill, and some of the members, have sent in their resignations, which tho President, Mr. Samuel Brown, has accepted in due form. It is hoped, however, that the different will be amicably arranged, and that all mil go smoothly, ;is the Musical Comiuitteo has worked hard and well— a fact to which tho Executive and tho public are gratefully alive. It appears that the trouble has arisen over the President advertising that," with the exception of the six subscription concerts, all seats at entertainments unreserved up to 6 o'clock of each day will be free, and t'-iat no money will be taken at the concert hall doors. .This Mr. Brown did without consulting the Committee, and '• hence these teaw." We trust that the hitch will only bo temporary, and that the misunderstanding will soon bo patched up in the best interests of the Exhibition and of the public. His Excellency the Governor, accompauied by Lady Alice Boyle, visited the Exhibition this morning, and was shown the model dairy at work. His Excellency also went round the different exhibits, liking considerable interest in the different displays. Mr. Meadows (Superintendent)-, and the Exhibition staff had everything in apple-pie order for the visit of His Excellency, who was received by the President, Mr. S. Brown, aud some members of the Executive. To judge by the crowded state of the building on Saturday, there is no diminution in the interest taken by the public in the Exhibition. Both afternoon and evening the building was fairly packed. Mrs. Francis's- Mount Cook Infant School children wete the s performers on Saturday afternoon of a number of action songs in the Concert Hall, and snbseqently of Maypole dances in the centre of the sports ground, Minifies String Band supplying the music. The children were very nicely dressed, and deserve, with their teachers, every praise for the manner in which they acquitted themselves. Hundreds of children visitors, with their parents or adult friends, witnessed the performance, and were charmed by what they saw and heard. Special mention should be made of the Japanese Fan Song, in which the little girls rendering it were dressed in the Japanese costume, and I used their fans as if to the manner born. Mr. Seager made a great hit on Saturday 1 evening with his lantern pictures, by the oxy- ether light. He had a numerous audience, and took them most pleasantly for a trip from New Zealand round the world, via New York. Then, by request, for the people wanted more of so good a thing, he gave them glimpses of scenery up the Thames, starting from London Bridge. These slides were much admired, and then the curiosity of the audience was gratified by some pictures showing results obtained from the "X" ra3 ? s. It was all most enjoyable. The proprietors of the Kinematograph were unfortunately unable to show it oil Saturday evening, in consequence of some electrical connections not being completed. We aro assured that everything will be ready, however, in a few days. To-night's musical entertainment is the great Scottish National Concert, as already announced by us. The programme iucludes songs, choruses, and orchestral numbers, and is a most attractive one. Intending visitors will note that 400 seats are reserved in the concert hall, but the rest are free. The greatest interest is being taken in the Musical Festival nights which commence to-morrow under the auspices of Mr. Maughan Barnett's Musical Society. The full programme will be found elsewhere.