NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Notes by our Dunedin Correspondent.) [CONTINUED.]

North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 56, 16 March 1865, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Notes by our Dunedin Correspondent.) [CONTINUED.]

In the position now occupied by the table whose contents I described in my last, the sundial exhibited by Mr Glass, of Oaraaru, was first placed. This was subsequently removed to the corridor which unites the main building to the annex. It is no doubt suitably placed there, amidst the flowers and evergreens,but it is a loss to the great hall, the arrangement of which, aa I have before said, is sadly wanting in effect. Hanged around the main hall, alone 1 the butresses and arches (most of which have been closed by partitions) which divide it from the surrounding corridors or cloisters, are ranged exhibits from Otago, Great Britain, Canterbury, and Hawke's Bay. The whole of the exhibits of the last-named Province are here to be found._ Many are worthy of a chapter by themselves, and as in the case of the other divisions named, a large proportion of the exhibits lie, not in the main hall, but in the cloisters immediately behind. IJshall now follow the geographical divisions adopted by the Commissioners. Leaving the central hall, nine visitors out of ten turn towards the Otago courts. The arrangement of the exhibits first encountered naturally leads to this, a circumstance which is perhaps rather unfortunate for the reputation of those parts of the Exhibition visited last, as these courts are much more closely filled and attractive in appearance than any of the others. This is of courso nothing more than might have been expected of the division of the building allotted to the Province in which the Exhibition is held, and to a certain extent it is an appearance only. The exhibits from other countries, and from other Provinces of New Zealand, being fewer in number, have been more carefully selected. Besides which, nearly half of the Otago division can only be looked upon as supplemental to that of Great Britain, being filled with samples of imported manufactures. Following the prevailing custom, I shall now turn to the Otago courts. "Within the limit you can accord to these notes minute description is impossible. I shall therefore leave unnoticed all the exhibits of importers merely. The bulk of them is in the lower couits, and consists chiefly of hardware, plated-ware, china and glass, saddlery and boots and shoes. Some very beautiful things are to be seen amongst these. Some vases recently received into the Exhibition are very striking, both for the novelty and beauty of their desists. The exhibitor is Mr M. Calverfc. With the exception of the saddlery, none of these exhibits enter into competition with colonial productions, and Iaminclined tobelievethat some Otago-made saddles will bear the palm, not only against those of English manufacture, but against all in the Exhibition. TTp-stairs there is a fine display of European textile fabrics, by Messrs Ross and Glendinning. A few other articles of import are also represented, and the Survey department has sent an interesting selection of scientific instruments, chiefly optical. It would have been a much better arrangement, had the natural and industrial products of Otago been grouped together, and the imported exhibits been placed apart. The nature of the space to be occupied, the uncertainly, almost up to the last day or two before the Exhibition opened, as to what was coming and what was not, and the arrangements of individual exhibitors, many of whom sent both importations and their own manufactures, were, I believe, the chief reasons why such an arrangement was not insisted upon. One great result so far as Otago is concerned, is the appearance in the Exhibition of the collections, drawI ings, sections, maps, &c, of the Geographical Survey Department. No one can pass through the gallery devoted to these and similar exhibits without wishing that it may remain consecrated to its present purposes ! whatever uses othur parts of the building may be turned to. To those who delight in the pursuits of science, and to the hundreds of others who, without any pretension to the name of scientific men, take an enlightened interest in the progress of human knowledge, the Otago i Museum, and similar collections sent from other Pro- ! vinces, are perhaps the most interesting features of the Exhibition. One can only look forward with a sigh to the early dispersion of the really valuable museum which these united collections now form, and it is to be hoped that these of our own province will not be again huddled into obscure corners, but retained, either in th« Exhibition Building or in some equally suitable place, permanently accessible to those who desire to profit by them. Dr Hector and his staff have not confined their attention merely to the illustration of the Geological phenomena, of the Province. Indeed, the geological explorer, if he is to attain useful and reliable results, must study all the forms of nature with which he come<» in contact. The collection, therefore, is not confined to rocks and fossils. The following list of its contents, extracted from the catalogue, affords some idea of its magnitude, and the variety of objects which it contains : — Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils 3,768 Birds, Fishes, &c 240 Woods, &c 100 Dried Plants (species) 650 Fibrous Materials 150 Miscellaneous objects 100 Making a total of 5008 different objects (of some there are several specimens) besides a large collection of maps, plans, sections, and sketches, some of which are of the highest value. One of the most useful arrangements in this collection is that of a series of rocks, good-sized specimens, left free for handling, illustrating a huge section across the island, from Milf ord Sound to the mouth of the Waitaki, or as near as possible an East and "West line. A portion of the museum has been presented to the Province by an old friend of Otago, Dr Lauder Lindsay, of Perth. Amongst his contributions is a collection of 479 speci-. niehs of European rocks, illustrating the geology of northern Europe, in so far as it is analogous to that of this part of New Zealand. Dr Hector has himself arranged a case of mineralogies! specimens, containing types of all the principal families of rocks. Indeed, there is more to instruct the young student of the natural sciences in this Otago museum than one would have thought possible within such limits. The nearly complete skeleton of a moa, which was found not long since in the Botanical Gardens here, has been set up, and forms an interesting object. It is only a small specimen, however, and expressions of disappointment are often heard from visitors, who, having heard so much of the gigantic stature of the moa, are surprised to find this skeleton standing little more than four feet high. The huge leg bones, exhibited by Mr Payne, of your town, is in close proximity to this slceleton, and makes it look still more insignificant. The fact is, there were several species of moa, and it is to be regretted that no pains were taken to distinguish amongst the bones which were so plentifully exhibited! In the Canterbury collection there is a case of moa'bones which are classified. The skeleton just alluded is that of a bird specifically different from that whose huge leg stands near it, a complete skeleton of which would be indeed a. wonderful object. The case containing specimens of the fossils as yet obtained in Otago, shows how much has yet to be done in this branch of science. The collection of fossils in a new country, where quarryings and cuttings are so few, and confined within such limited areas, is a work of great difficulty. It must be many years before we abtain anything like a complete exposition of the fauna even of the most recent geological eras.- So large a portion too of the Province is formed of non-fossUiferous rocks, that nojrach large and varied collections of fossils will ever be obtained here aa is yielded by many other countries. ' I must not leave this subject without referring to two Tery' interesting portions of the botanical collections. Mr Buchanan's drawings of plants from nature have already been so highly spoken of by the Press of this, and the neighboring provinces, that any praise of mine ' would be superfluous. Amongst the drawings exhibited, ore those of no leu than twenty entirely new species of

Alpine plants, of which no correct idea could have been given by dried specimens. Wonderful truthfulness is the great characteristic of Mr Buchanan's drawing. The collection of native woods is also worthy of note. Sixty pieces are exhibited, a segment of each tree, one part of which is polished ; asprig of the same wifchleaves ; the flower, and in some cases the fruit, being all shown, so as to enable every one to distinguish the timber of the trees, with the outward appearance of which he may be familiar. ' There are other collections'of objects of natural history besides those belonging to the Geological Survey Department, MrTraill, of Oamaru,sendsamost valuable case of shells, recent andfossil, which have been enriched by the addition of a number of Dr Hector's captures on the West Coast. The Gold-fields Department contributes a vast variety of mineralogic.il specimens, chiefly gold-bearing rocks, together with samples of almost every variety of wash-dirt known in the Provinces. Some of these last are stated to be very rich. They are displayed in little g^s cases about four inches cube, so that they can be seen on every side as well as from above. Many private individuals, residing on the gold-fields, have also contributed in this line, and the Wakatip District Committee has sent some two or three hundred-weight of auriferous quartz, which it is intended shall be carefully crushed and tested at the close of the Exhibition. From the Waikouaiti District Committee we hare .some very interesting specimens of gypsum, and of native ' alum (both in the ore and manufactured). The copper ore for which Moke Creek has become celebrated, is also well represented. (To be Continued.)