OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5601, 6 February 1879, Page 7

OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

[XBOX OtTB OWN OOBBXSXONDBNtJ Jan. 18.

The details of the great strike you will have before now received, but it may. be of interest to knew that the receipts of the Union in aid of the Strike Fund amounted in round .figures to £2960, while the disbursements were £2IOO, thus leaving a credit balance of £BSO, The Queensland Strike Fund shows receipts of £700; the expenditure hasbeen ab»ut £3OO, showing a credit balance on this aioount also of £IOO. The Brisbane Committee suggests that tMs balance shorild form the nucleus of a fund for the establishment of a Seamen’s, Home. The several Committees have been exceedingly successful in ttoir financial arrangements. TheV have maintained a considerable amount of firmness, tho result of which has been to Erevent the fond from being imposed upon y others than these for whom it was raised. Arrangements for practically carrying into effect the International Exhibition have been commenced, and the recently appointed Commission has held several meetings. At a recent meeting, pre/ided over by Sir John Hay, and: attended by Sir Alfred Stephen, the Hons. W. Mscleay, G. Thornton, Saul Samuel, Messrs W. H, Suttor, M.L.A., W. Davies, M.L.A., arid many other leading gentlemen, Mr Jennings produced Ms authority to act as Executive. Commissioner, and also a letter from the office of the Colonial Secretary, to the effect that the Government approved of plane the Colonial Architect submitted to them for the ExMbition building. The letter also stated that the proposed building was intended to provide an area of floor space equal to 333,740 superficial feet, or 7i acres, and a total enclosed space of upwards of 11,000,000 cubic feet. It was intended to apportion the floor room as follows‘Basement, li acres; ground floor, 4f acres; galleries, H acres; while in addition to these areas, space would be allotted for refreshment rooms. The Government intend erecting the building, andproviding the site far it (which is in part of the inner Domain). It is calculated by experienced and competent judges that the Exhibition will cost over £BO,OOO. It is considered that there will be barely time to complete it, as is expected, by August next, even if extra workmen can be obtained from tho country districts and adjoining Colonies. Applications for space aro pouring in from every quarter, both at Home and abroad. -Already nearly two-thirds of the estimated floor, even of tho main building, have been applied for. Amongst other applications, one has been made on behalf of the celebrated Ban de cologne manufacturer, Johann Maria Farina, who intends to exhibit and also to erect a fountain of perfumed water similar to the one which proved so attractive a novelty at the great London exhibition. A special cablegram from London to the Sydney Evening News states that "An immense number of exhibitors throughout England and France have announced their intention of being represented at the forthcoming International ExMbition at Sydney, and preparations on a large scale are being made to ensure tbe despatch of exhibits, so that they may arrive m the Colony in time. Entries will be made here in the different classes the instant the official programme has been received.” America, it is expected, will be largely represented, and also New Zealand. The fallowing gentlemen have been appointed the Commission to carry out tho Exhibition: President—His Excellency the Governor, or tho Administrator of tho Government: VicePresidents—His Honor Sir James Martin, Chief Justice, tbe Hon Sir Alfred Stephen, the Hon Sir John Hay, President of the Legislative Council, and the Hon Sir George Wigrnm Allen, Speaker of the legislative Assembly; Executive Commissioner—Mr P. A. Jennings; Members —The Hon G. H. Oex, M.L.CL Mr W. Davies, M.L.A., the Hon Sir B. Deas-Thomson, M.L.C., Dr Garran, Mr E. S. Hill, Mr S. A. Joseph, Dr B. J. Jenkins, Mr P. G. King, the Hon Sir William Macartbur, M.L.0., the Hon W. Maoleay, M.L.0., Mr James Morriman, M.L.A., Mr Henry Mort, Mr John Bussell, tho Hon Saul Samuel, M.L.C., Professor Smith, M.L.0., MrW-H. Suttor, M.L.A., the Hon George Thornton, M.L.0., Mr P. N.Trebeck, Mr I, Webb, M.LA.J and Mr John Young. About 100 workmen aro now employed on the grounds, making preparations for the brick foundations, raising a saw-mill, and otherwise carrying on the preliminaries. It is intended that the Exhibition building shall be encircled by elegant walks connecting the several largo entrances. At the weekly meeting of the International Exhibition Commission, held yesterday, the opening of the Exhibition wos fixed far tho first week in September next. Mr Augustus Morrison has been appointed secretary to tho Exhibition Commission. The oloctrio light will bo used, the work to. bo proceeded with unceasingly. It is expected that 1,600 men will be employed wjien tho work of erecting is in fMI swing. _ The proprietors of tho Sydney Mail have issuod tMs week an illustrated supplement, shovring tho building, the design, proportions, and its surroundings. It is intended to send Home for

distribution throughout Great Britain and Europe, several thousand copies of this lithograph view. A street tramway is to bo constructed to run from the railway station to the Exhibition building. Captain Cook’s statue is to bo unveiled in the Inner Domain atjtho opening of. the Exhibition, as is also the statue of the Queen, and both aro to remain there to perpetuate tho memory of the International,

' Considerable interest is being taken in tho probable result of tho ensuing cricket match —Eleven of Now South Wales against Lord Harris’ English team. Tho Sydney men arc practising hard. Evans, the great Sydney bowler, is said to be in fair form with tho bnt|, but to bo altogether astray this season with the ball. Whether ho will come off in this match remains to bo seen. Probably you will know the result before you receive this. The news of the severe defeat of the English team by tho Australian Eleven was received hero with murmurs of delight in cricketing circles, and tho general opinion is that the Sydney team will bo victorious. Pantomimes at the two principal Theatres are still the order of the day, or rather night. "Hey-diddle-diddle," preceded by a burlesque, has been drawing crowded houses, with Miss Maggie Olliver as leading lady in the oharaoter of Bruno, Tho scenery and musio aro both very good. At the Victoria, “ Robinson Crusoe ” has been running since some time before Christmas. Miss Lydia Howard (who will be remembered in Christchurch with the Lydia Howard Burlesque Company) in the title rdle plays and sings all through the piece in a very charming manner, and the nudienees are not slow to recognise the efforts made by one and all of the company. The characters are: elegantly arid properly dressed, and the costumes of Miss Howard are worthy of special mention. Both pantomimes are mounted in rather a better style than is usually the* case. At the two Theatres the trarisformation scone is really magnificent, Mrj Samuel Emery, a sterling actor of considerable merit, is appearing at the Queen’s in ‘f Fortune’s Frolic, “Plot and Passion,” " Lost in London.” He played to overflowing houses in “Heart’s Delight,” and as Foriche in “ Plot and Passion ” is very successful, and his dramatic efforts as a whole are generously acknowledged. The Chcevers, Kennedy, arid Bent Minstrels after a long absence returned; and have been showing at the School pf Arts. The attendance has been very - good, and the performances are as pleasing and mirth-provoking as ever. Bon Allah, a ventriloquist, assisted by Mr Frank Hewett, a cornet player who was formerly connected with the Georgia Minstrels, is doing a very satisfactory business at the Guild Hall,

A rather novel advertising medium has just come into existence in Sydney. The Illuminating Advertising Company, as it is caUed, have, erected a canvass enclosure in front of a business house in one of the principal thoroughfares, and crowds fill the street to witness the new idea. On the principle of the magic lantern, with the aid of ftile i lime light, a comic picture or landScape is shown, which suddenly disappears, leaving a large advertisement of a prominent firm' in its place. The " advs. ” are shown for some time, till the crowds have time to gain a knowledge of the great bargains to be obtained, when their palates are again tickled with an illuminated picture, to again be succeeded by an advertisement served up in a showy style, which cannot fail to be taking to • the eye. The Company, wliich of course depends on the advertising, is doing a big business.

. Tattersoll’s Club Annual Race Meeting took place on New Year’s Day under the most favourable circumstances-. The weather was ioll that could be desired, and the racing: good. His Excellency the Governor and suite honoured the meeting with their presence. Notwithstanding the many counterattractions the attendance was numerous. On the Saturday following, Jan. 4, the second meeting of the Sydney Amateur Turf Club came off, and proved successful in every way. The attendance was scarcely so good as might have been expected from the excellence of the programme. The weather, however, was enjoyable and the sport good. Zoorfields "stripped for most of the races, some of wMch •previed very close contests. To-day is regarded as a fate day in honour of the Governor. He is bring entertained by a day’s enjoyment of his favourite sport, horse-racing, in order to show in some slight way the general respect entertained for him. This special meet has been got up by the Australian Jockey Club, and the community is displaying a large amount of enthusiasm in respect to the compliment. Tho Government offices were closed at 11 a.m., and most of the leading business establishments are closed. Sporting men are crying out at the early departure of Sir Hercules from among them, New Zealand will find in Mm one of the real sporting kind, and as he is undoubtedly exceedingly popular here in horse-racing matters, he will be very much missed at future meetings.