THE EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6535, 6 February 1882, Page 4

THE EXHIBITION.

The whole of the framework of the inner and outer walls of the Exhibition building is now in position. The artesian wells are completed, and an excellent flow has been obtained from each, the water rising to a height of between four and fire feet aboro the ground. The promoters of the New Zealand International Exhibition hare made arrangement® with Mr H. Welle, Organist of the Christ-

ohoroh Cathedral, for tho performance of a cantata on tha occasion of the opening of the Exhibition. Tho piece (elected is Mendelsgohn’e Lobgosang (Song of Praise). The promoters also intend to hold a grand musical festival, extending over a whole week, during the progress of the Exhibition. It is proposed that this shall consist of. a series of competitive concerts ; and prises, gold, silver and bronze medals, are to be offered for class singing, with and without Instrumental accompaniments; for military and other band contests, vocal and instrumental solos, and for children’s glees. There srili be two divisions under the lost head—for children from town schools, and those attending country schools. Tho festival will conclude with a grand concert of national melodies, rendered by tho military bauds and a large orchestra. The competitions are open to musicians from all parts of the Colony. The idea of the festival has been taken from that of the musical week of the Paris Exhibition of 1878. A "musical week" Is a novelty in the Colonies, and it is to b« hoped that the musicians of New Zealand will combine in assisting-the promoters to render it a complete success. The trophy selected as the Grand Industrial Prise,' presented by Messrs Joubert and Twopeny, in recognition of jtho services rendered to the Exhibition by the Christchurch Industrial Association, to be awarded to the exhibitor who has done most for New Zealand industries, is now on view at the establishment of the makers, Messrs B. Petersen and Co., High street. It comprises a burnished silver claret jog and two goblets, made from New Zealand silver, according to a design furnished by Messrs Petersen and Co. The claret jug stands 16 inches high, and is of a most elegant form. The body is adorned with an engraving of the well-known picture of a " Maori pah near Wanganui,” a lithograph of which is in the Canterbury Museum. This picture includes upwards of 50 human figures, besides animals, trees, whores, &c. The engraving on the jug is beautifully executed, with moat faithful attention to detail. Around the picture are representations of various species, of native ferns. The stem is embossed in a leaf pattern. The foot- is surrounded with engraved garlands of maiden-hair fern and ivy. The lower portion of the neck is embossed with an ivy leaf pattern in burnished silver on a frosted ground. Above this is an exquisite engraving representing maiden-hair fem. The handle is of frosted silver, and is in the form of a vine branch, entwined with tendrils and leaves. The interior of the jug is gilt. The two goblets are ornamented with engravings of ferns and ivy leaves in the same style as the jng. The whole will be placed on a handsome stand of various native woods. It may be mentioned that the cost of the metal and work employed in the manufacture of the trophy was £6Blos.