CONVERSAZIONE.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1912, 22 July 1886, Page 3

CONVERSAZIONE.

The conversazione in ail of the funds of the Institute, was opened in Ewan’s ilall. yesterday, and was visited during the course of the afternoon and evening by a large number of people. It had been intended to have asked the Mayor, or the member for the distrie-, to Imvo opened the exhibition, but as both of them wltc absent iu Wellington, the committee had to abandon their intentiou of having a formal opening. In every rispcct the conversazione is a great success. The exhibits are numerous and choice; there is no rubbish. It is far superior to the usual exhibition of black beetles and brickbats which generally passes muster in any but the piiucipal towns. The Institute Committee are to be congratulated on their success—a. success largely due to the untiring energy of Mr Winter, the Vice-President, and his coworkers Messrs Salmon and Robinson Had wc space we should like to give a thorough description of the many unique exhibits now in Ewart’s Hall, but we must leave that for a future issue. The lover of antiquities can find something to interest him in the exhibition. There are old coins, old china, old watches, clocks and implements—pistols, which cortainly look as if thoy would be more dangerous to the person firing than the one who faces the business end.” Beautifully woveu fabrics fiom savage lands, sweet smelling sandal wood from Bombay, collections of Avvatere fossils, a splendid collection of New Zealand insects, and other curios “ too numerous to men 1 ion.” For the scientific there are optical and other instruments of various kinds, amongst which are a large frictional ehctaical machine and apparatus, an air pump, and an electric clock. Not the least interesting feMuio of the exhibition is the large number of pictures—engravings, water and oil co’or paintings —which adorn the walls. Perhaps the finest of all is a scat caps by Munro, the breaking of the green waves in foam and spray upon a rock-bound English coast being pourtrayed wii.li great faithfulness by the artist. Local artists are well represented. Mr A, Chisholm, who has real talent, exhibits a very fine collection of his paintings, Mrs Spencer has sent a number of small views in oil of the Hot Lake district, the most s’riking being that of Mount Tarawera, before and during the eruption. Last night the proceedings were enlivened by a selection of music rendered by Messrs Ogilvic (piano), Rabbits (violin), Smith (cornet), Tucker (double-bass), and during the courso of the evening Mr Rogers showed a number of beautiful views of London, by aid of the limelight, Air Winter officiating as lecturer. Dt Porter attended to the microscopes, and Mr Hustwick showed the electrical apparatus and air-pump to a small but select knot of scientists. The conversazione will be open this aud to-mor. row afternoon and evening, and we advise a'l who can to visit the exhibition. We can assure them that they will not be disappointed.