A GENERAL VIEW.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18237, 27 October 1919, Page 9

A GENERAL VIEW.

A WELL STpCKED EXHIBITION: In one important respect tho F nir differs from others that have been seen in the Colosseum. *lho centra, floor space has been occupied with high stands, which cut the building up into aisles and cross passages, which help to divide the spectators up. The first impression of the Fair is that it is much more fully stocked than, its predecessors, and certainly the setting- is much more attractive . generally, since tho interior decorations of the Colosseum have created quite a transformation of late in the huge building. The annexes are occupied with attractive exhibits relieved with a couple of resting places, and a tea enclosure at the north-western end, in addition to a more extensive tea and supper room in tho northern gallery. On Saturday night tho exhibition-was_ brilliantly lit, and the big crowd of visitors made e. very animated picture which must have gratified tho enterprising local manufacturers who provided tho backbone of tho undertaking. There were sufficient working exhibits to lend varioty to the Fair, and in the huge tan-covered marquee. opening off the centre of the building there were brief lecturettes interspersed with musical items, making a welcome sit-down variant to tho general parade. _ During tho evening Mr A. butherland’s orchestra contributed selections from the “Merchant of Venice” and other fine orchestral music. A thoughtful idea on the part of the committee in charge of tho Fair was the provision of a rest room well provided with easy chairs, where literature in connection with the activities of the Progress League was available to the public. The refreshment stall was conducted bv Mrs Saxby, on behalf of the committee, and was kept busy throughout the evening. The ice-cream stall proved another popular rendezvous for the visitors to the Fair. SOME OF THE DISPLAYS. A wool-classing exhibit is shown by the Technical College, two of the students being at work, rolling and classing the wool. The Department of Agriculture, Industries and Commerce has a comprehensive and very interesting exinOit, showing samples of wheat, oats,, barley, grasses, lucerne, maize, etc., which havo been attractively arranged . in glass cases. Of particular note in the exhibit is a collection ot varieties of wheat grown on tho farm of the Hon W. D. S. MacDonald, late Minister of Agriculture. Mr MacDonald’s farm is in the Gisborne district, which was not considered suitablo for wheat growing, but during the war he brought tho land under wheat cultivation, and the wonderful results of the experiment aro clearly shown in tho splendid, display of samples of wheat, which is of the highest quality and yield. In connection with the Department’s exhibit, a good display of tho various grades of flax, from superior to rejected, is shown. This fine exhibit was nwarded the Medal of Honour at tho Panama Exposition. Experts were present explaining the exhibit to visitars. . Tho soldiers’ exhibit is situated right in the centre of the building, and attracted considerable attention. . The most interesting portion of tho display is that showing various plaster moulds of soldiers’ hands and feet before and after treatment at the Chalmers Orthopoadio Hospital.' Several of tho soldiers who had benefited by the treatment were present and explained the processes adopted, bv which the use of the limbs had been restored. In conjunction with the exhibit was a comprehensive display of basket and leather work and embroidery, executed by tho soldiers in the vocational and occupational workshops at the hospital. Tho specimens shown were particularly fine, more especially as a good number of the articles had been made by men who had tho use of one hand only. . The vocational and occupational training at tho Chalmers Hospital is directed by Mrs A. Templar, who stated that over 140 mon were recoiling training in tho workshops, and the work was both curative and occupational, soothing the men’s nerves and restoring the use or the fingers. The display is quite the most interesting at the Colosseum. The School of Art has a well-lighted bay which is a miniature art exhibition in "itself, but also gives prominence to the art-craft aspect of the work of the school. Show cases containing specimens of jewellery and silvcrsmithing, and a wide variety of other work, help to make up a very attractive exhibit. Tho Y.M.C.A., which has taken a permanent place in the lifo of the community. is represented by a bureau of information under Mr Silver. This station is equipped with easy-chairs and a settees where one may rest for a> spell. Sports banners, cups, shields and so on are on view, as well as somo very interesting pictures of Y.M.C-.A. work in the war zone. Tho Acclimatisation Society has an exhibit which is typical of Canterbury, with its wide trout streams. In six glass tanks are to be seen brown trout fry and yearlings, rainbow fry and yearlings,'perch and goldfish and carp. Mounted specimens of big catches in days past are to be displayed also in this exhibit, together with other sporting trophies. DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME. In conversation, during the course of the evening, Mr Gordon Hutchison, organiser of the Fair, expressed himself in terms of the highest praise for the manner in which exhibitors had at very short notice and in the face of numerous difficulties, of which the labour shortage was perhaps the most acute, responded to tho urgent call made upon them to have their exhibits completed for tho opening night. The organiser added: “We, of course, were faced with tho practically •tesA'perablq twmKtas that, ciqp ug »6

the eleventh hour in connection with every exhibition or fair, but all things considered I am well satisfied with What has been accomplished, 1 and the way in which tho public have come forward to support the Progress League in thr enterprise ia most gratifying anc! augurs well for the Fair proving a great success. There are undoubtedly shortcomings to-night, but while 4 ho disappointments wo have had with tho lighting arrangements anil the incomplete state in which the public found the concert and lecture marquee will he overcome in a few hours on Monday. Indeed, I can promise that, when v-hr. Aw- noMseuin open at seven o’clock on Monday evening there will be remarkably little left for criticism so far as details are concerned.”