THE DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2251, 20 June 1881, Page 3

THE DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

We take the following notices of Christchurch exhibits from the Dunedin papers : Messrs Toomer Brothers, boot and shoe manufacturers, exhibit a splendid assortment of ladies’ and gentlemen’s boots and shoes, comprising eighty pair in all. They are all manufactured from colonial leather, and consists of machine-sewn, rivetted and. peg work. They are exhibited in two cases, one composed of cedar and the other of ebonised kauri. Mr Toomer considers that colonial-made boots and shoes are more fitting to the requirements of the colony than the imported ones. Those imported from home are chiefly of the narrow make, which does not suit so well as the wide-fitting sorts manufactured in the colony. They have also in connection with their factory a tannery, where they manufacture leather for their own consumption. The firm commenced business in 1870 in a very humble way, and by dint of perseverance they gradually increased their business. Now they employ as many as 134 hands, and turn ' out on an average 1400 pairs of boots and shoes weekly, or between 70,0C3 and 80,000 pairs yearly. Some sheep and lambswool rugs, mats, Ac., exhibited by Mr J. Bayley, in the principal hall, seem worthy of a more extended notice than we have as yet had space to accord them. A special feature in their manufacture is the admirable manner in which the dyeing has been effected, two shades being frequently blended in one rug with exceedingly good effect. Indeed, some of the shades exhibited have never before been attempted in the colony. Amongst these may be noticed a hearthrug dyed to a very bright jet black. Another article worthy of attention is a white rug of pure Lincoln wool, the staple of which, although only of six or seven months’ growth, is about seven inches in length, and of a very delicate quality. The whole of the specimens are remarkable for the brilliancy of their color, and the uniformity of tint which has been preserved throughout. We understand that Mr Bayley has only recently arrived in the colony, and has previously been engaged in this branch of industry in Nottingham. An interesting industry is being pursued in the middle of the building by Mr Graham, of Lyttelton. With the assistance of a turning lathe, he converts the commonest bones into fancy articles of every kind, including chessmen, draughts, bone rattles, Ac. He followed this business when a young man, but came to Canterbury many years ago, and was very successful, and now only works for pleasure, and for the sake of showing others a course which they might traverse with advantage. The little organ which occupies the centre of the hall stage has been turned out of Mr A. J. White’s factory at Christchurch. Its stops are as follows:—Bourdon, open diapason, claribella, dulciana, principal, 15th flute, super-octavo coupler, and groat to pedal. The case is 14 feet high, 8 feet 6 inches wide, and 6 feet deep, and is made of kauri. There are 19 speaking-pipes in front, and all the pipes with the exception of the dulciana and principal ones are locally made. The organ is a most compact one of its kind, and possesses a first class tone, the diapason stop being especially good. It was used at the opening ceremony for the selections given by the Choral Society, and some recitals will be given on it before the Exhibition is over. Mr A. J. White also exhibits samples of antique furniture of the class used in Queen Anne’s time. The wood used is rimu, and they include a mantelpiece with a pier-glass, 6ft. sideboards to correspond, a dining-room suite, a black and gold cabinet 6ft. wide, another 4ft. 6in. wide, a drawing.room suite in black and gold, covered with cardinal and black satin; inlaid tables, and other articlesMr George King, who was a prizetaker at the Melbourne International Exhibition, also exhibits wheat, the varieties being white and purple straw tuscan. The same gentleman also shows an excellent sample of ryegrass seeds. Wm. Ouddon, maltster, Christchurch, exhibits a very fair sample of barley and a case of patent porter malt. Messrs Austin, Kirk and Co. have on view, in the smaller hall, a number of specimens of pottery, most tastefully designed, and ornamented with flowers, fruits, &c., of very delicate execution. Mr W. H. Mein, of the Christchurch Meat Preserving and Curing Factory, gives an excellent display of tins of roast beef, corned mutton, Ac. A fine assortment of Canterbury trillings, stays, and braiding, is shown by Messrs H. 8. Fiske and Co., as manufactured on the Davis Vertical Feed Sewing Machine. The firm shew about thirty-five different samples of work. Messrs Schwartz and Co. send a collection of wines, bearing the brands “Burgundy,” “ Manzanilla,” “ Sparkling Moselle,” and the like. These wines were made by Mr J. Soler, of Wanganui, and have met with much favor from connoisseurs. Mr F. W. Quaife shows a number of patent candles. Messrs Morgan, Ward and 00. exhibit samples of starch, arrowroot, sago, and other farinaceous articles of food. Various studies of New Zealand scenery are given us, and amongst them oil-paintings by Mr J. Gibb, deserve special attention. One very striking effect has been achieved by this gentleman in a moonlight scene on the sea shore. The conception is undeniably good, and the artist has been very happy in the light chosen. A single female figure is depicted in the fore-ground on the margin of the retreating tide, and a rocky headland stretches out into the sea, partly lost in shadow. A river scone, the banks of the Avon, also shows considerable merit, the colouring being subdued, but yet thoroughly effective. Mr A. Blytt exhibits a claret jug of silver, beautifully ornamented; a flower - atond mounted with silver, mounted emu eggs, and some silver sugar basins and spoons. Among the exhibits which have recently arrived is a silver eporgne of magnificent workmanship, forwarded by Mr M. Sandstein. This is one of the most handsome specimens of silver work that we have seen. The design is a spreading fern tree, the leaves of which are most delicately executed, the base being formed of some picturesquely shaped rocks represented in frosted silver.