LIMELIGHT EXHIBITION OF THE LAKE DISTRICT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7694, 20 July 1886, Page 5

LIMELIGHT EXHIBITION OF THE LAKE DISTRICT.

Last evening Mr. A. H. Burton (of Burton Brothers, Danedin), the well-known photographer, gave hie first limelight lecture exhibition in the Theatre Royal, illustrative of the Tarawera eruption, ko. The lecturer commenced with taking hie audience in imagination to Dunedin, * view of which was shown with the snow oa the heights, and the city as seen three weeks ago. They then embarked on board one of the Union Company's boats at Port Chalmers and proceeded to Lyttelton, a view of the port and dock being shown. Next succeeded pictures of Christcharoh, Wellington, and Napier, at which lastnamed port they took coaoh for Taupo. Some very beautiful views were shown of Taupo, the wonders of Waiarakei, of Lofley'e Glen, and the Huka Falls. A aeries of capital views of Monnt Tongariro were exhibited, showing the range and the crater Ngaruhoe in every possible aspect, also of Ruapehu, the snow-crowned monarch of the North Island, some 8000 feet in height. An interesting historical scene shown was that where, under the shadow of Tongariro, Tβ Kooti made his last stand, and where the chivalrous and gallant St. George received his death wound. Ohinemutu, with its quaint eights and "lions," were given in succession. The idyll of Hinemoa, the love-sick maiden, and Tutanekai, the fluteplayer, on the island of Mokoia, was well recited—the veracious lecturer asserting that several colonial museums hoisted the posieseion of that flute. Hinemoa's Rock and the weird and singular range known as Horohoro were also briefly described, after which the audience were taken to Wairoa, when were given in striking contrast the scenes of Wairoa as they appeared before the eruption, and as seen three days after that awful disaster. There was quite a haih of stillness as the pictures taken after the eruption paseed in view, the appearance of deiolation bning complete. An eloquent tribute was paid by the lecturer to Messrs. Macrae, Humphries, the Bird Brothers, and Lundius, for the courage and coolness which tbey manifested, and which, under Providenoe, was no doubt the means of saving many lives. As to Mr. Mcßae, many a man had got the Victoria Cross for less than he had done on that eventful night. Tbe reference elicited a maniiestation of applause. Capital views were given of Lake Tarawera, and of the Tarawera ranges. Even the " phantom canoe" was shown with its ghostly crew and fuglemen, a photograph of it having been obtained by a new process ! The views of Moura and the Ariki settlements wore then given, with groups of the native residents, many of whom could be identified in the pictures, and gave them a pathetic interest, as all those natives are now lying in the sleep of death beneath an avalanche of cinders and mud. A series of splendid views of the White and Pink Terraces concluded the . exhibition, in which thase marvels of Nature were shown in all their wondrous and unique beauty. The limelight exhibition was a great success, the pictures being all that could be desired, and of a size sufficiently large lor the spectators in all parts of the houso to see them comfortably, and the audience repeatedly manifested their pleasure by hearty applause as the views successively appeared before them. The lecture was descriptive, chatty, and colloquial, some good stories and legends concerning Maoriland being told, while the choicest descriptions of the terraces were briefly quoted from various writers. An evening at the limelight exhibition will give anyone a better idea of the volcanic region of the North Island than he will gee in a twelvemonth's reading. In Wellington the hall was crammed nightly, His Excellency the Governor, and many of the members of Parliament, being present. So much interest can scarcely be expected to be manifested in Auckland, where the Lake Country and the Terraces are familar in our mouths as "household words," but still no one should miss the opportunity of seeing the "Fire-belt through the Camera " while it ie within their reach. The exhibition will be repeated tonight and till further notice. Several new iutures will be added to-night.