DUNEDIN FINE ARTS EXHIBITION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1012, 9 January 1869, Page 3

DUNEDIN FINE ARTS EXHIBITION.

It is proposed to hold a Fine Arts Exhibition in Dunedin some time during this month. Dr. Haast, Mr. Carruthers, and Mr. Mainwaring have been appointed by the promoters the committee for Canterbury. We understand that the central committee at Dunedin have made arrangements to pay the carriage of pictures (not for sale) sent to the Exhibition, and to insure them against sea risk. At the close of the Exhibition there will be an Art Union on the Glasgow principle. The following article from the New Zealand Bun gives fuller particulars : — The Exhibition of Fine Arts, which it is proposed to hold in Dunedin some time during the month of January, is deserving of the heartiest encouragement from every one who wishes well to Otago. If no more were involved than an attempt to ascertain, and to bring together, for the first time, such art treasures as are yet possessed by settlers in Otago and the other provinces of New Zealand, the promoters of the Exhibition would be doing a work which will surely give pleasure to many — which will as surely be the means of much social intercourse — and which may cause a goodly number of visitors to come amongst us for the first time, not to our disadvantage. But much more is involved in the Otago Fine Arts Exhibition. It will be remembered that, during the ' last session of the Provincial Council, there was voted a sum for a provincial drawing master. This led to conversations between several gentlemen — Mr. Eccles, Dr. Hume, Mr. J. H. Harris, Mr. Carrick, Mr. J. T. Thomson, and Mr. Hodgkins, being of the number — as to the pleasure and the advantages that would result from the formation of a Sketching Club. From that first suggestion grew the other, that it was very desirable to ascertain what works of art — especially oil paintings and water-color drawings — existed here, and to get as many of them together for exhibition, and that would assuredly, in its turn, encourage a love for works of art amongst those not professional artists, and a desire to visit and to work in New Zealand, on the part of many who are professional artists. It was with these views and thoughts that the first meeting convened by circular, was held at the^Athenseum, on the Ist. September. At that meeting it was resolved, " That it is desirable to hold an Exhibition of the Fine Arts in or about the month of January next." A committee was appointed, with power to add to its numbers. His Excellency the Governor, when applied to, consented to become the Patron and President ; to open the exhibition ;to contribute almost any work he possessed which might be desired by the committee ; and generally to give all the assistance he could towards making the Exhibition a success. Mr. Justice Bichmond is an enthusiastic supporter ; and his brother, the Hon. J. C, Bichmond, au admirable sketchcr and colorist, has promised to contribute and to help. Mr. Chevalier will paint pictures, and show them for the first time in public at the Exhibition. Dr. Hector promises to aid in any way suggested and within his power ; and Mr. Justice Chapman, before he left for England, made an offer of numerous exhibits. We will not attempt to go through the lists of residents in and out of the province who havo heartily promised to aid the committee. Suffice it that room is scarcely left for a doubt that the exhibition will, in itself, be a most cheering success. The General Government give the use of suitablerooms, &c, in the new Post Office building ; and the committee have arranged, or will arrange, for the insurance of every exhibit. The resident photographers will contribute largely ; and the photographs will be a most interesting and instructive section of the Exhibition. Spkead of Scab. —We (Wairaropa Mercwy) understand that the Sheep-In-spector has cancelled the clean certificate of Major Smith's .flock, on his station near Masterton, owing to a sheep trespassing from an infected flock. Boiling- down Sheev. — A correspondent of the Australasian gives thefollowiug result of the boiling down of 1019 sheep, half wethers, half ewes, fair average 501 b. in December last. " They were boiled j down at Mr. Lowe's Booranghoop establishment on the Barwon, and the yield of tallow was 23flb per head. The nett result in London, the tallow selling at 435. Gd. to 445. 9d. per cwt., gives a return of 7s. per head. The cost of boiling-down Is., and of casks 7d. per head, less the credit for pelts, legs of mutton sold, &c, make a charge of Is. 3d., leaving a nett return for the 1,019 sheep of ss. 9d. per head. , The Nelson Election. — The election of a member of Assembly to fill the seat vacated by Mr. Stafford, as member for the City of Nelson took place last week. There wero two candidates, Mr. N. Edwards, a Nelson merchant, a well known personal friend of Mr. Stafford, and a political supporter of the Ministry, and Mr. Shepherd, a prominent member of tho late Beform League, a pet of the " Colonist," and of course an opponent of the Government. Mr. Edwards was the successful candidate, polling 302 votes to his opponent 214. This is a groat triumph to tho Government, and it shows pretty clearly that Mr. Stafford himself would have been again returned had he again solicited the " swoot voices" of his ! lato constituents. — Wairarapa Mercury. Small Fakms. — Speaking of the benofits which have accrued from the establishment of small farms in the United States, I the Sacramento Weekly Union says : — "The peculiarly American system of small farming has made the West the power it is, while the opposite plan of landed monopoly and consequent evils of sparse population and exhaustive cultivation has been the curse of the South, as well as of Ireland, Australia, and all the SpanishAmorican republics. Cheap lands will insure us small farmers ; these given we shall soon have good schools, abounding intelligence, vital industry, good government, and a market for good newspapers, with everything else that is good." Betukn or Old Colonists. — Wo welcome back to New Zealand per s.s. Kaikoura, Mrs. aud Miss Fitzherbert, and Mr. W. Bowland.s, who have been so long known aud so much respected by tho people of Wellington. — Independent. Thu Weld Cup. — The Lyttelton Times of the 17th iust. states : — " Tho first com-, petition for tho silver cup given by Mrs. Wold, took place at the new rifle range, near Heathcoto Valley, yesterday, aud contrary to expectation, it was carried off. The clay was most unfavourable to riflo shooting, a strong variable north-west wind blowing all day. Mrs. Weld's cup, it will bo remembered, was fired for several times with less stringent conditions, but without success ; this, together with tho want of a range having for weeks past prevented 1 practice being indulged in, renders Mr. Maddison's achievement one of which he may bo proud. Ho only passed the minimum score by ono point, and this too with his last .shot. • Tho cup will bo publicly presented' at the first favourable opportunity. Mr. Maddison made a score of. :87. • • ■