COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7695, 21 July 1886, Page 5

COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION.

No. 111. [WRITTEN SPECIALLY FOR THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD.] THE NEW ZEALAND COURT. THE TIMBER TRADE. Notwithstanding the importance of the timber trade to the colony, it cannot be uaid that it makes a very effective show. It is » matter of constant comment among New Zealanders that the wealthy companies engaged in this branoh of industry in the colony have not oome to the front with a substantial display of their manufactures. The only timber trophy in the court is that furnished by the Public Works Department. It is a four-sided structure, composed of polished slabs of do striking size, showing the character of the principal New Zealand woods; but the specimens thus exhibited convey no adequate idea of the gigantio proportions to which most of the trees attain consumed in the timber supply of the colony. There is a log-end of kauri pine, measuring some 5 feet in width, and behind it is placed a large slab of the same wood, and which serves to show the substantial size to which this timber attains, and it would have been an advantage if polished full length slabs of many of the other useful timbers had been exhibited in the same way. The finest timber display, it may be here pointed out, is that made by Western Australia. f) ne exhibit is formed of a splendid baulk of jarrah wood, about nine feet in width, partially polished and partially in the rough. Its colour is of a dark blood red, and it takes a polish like the finest mahogany. The jarrah forests extend over a large portion of the colony, and the tree attains to a height of 100 feet. The best timber, which is obtained in hilly localities, is in extensive demand for piles, railway sleepers, aucl fence posts, and it is found to be very durable for the planking and frames of ships ; it is also extensively employed for rafters, spars, aud furnitnre, and it is remarkable for its non-inflammable character. To denote the durability of this class of timber a splendidly conserved slab of the wood is shown, which was cut from a baulk which had been exposed on the beach at Bunbury for 35 years. The karri wood is another of the Western Australia timbers which is fast coming into favour. The tree grows in a humid country, and often attains to a height of over 350 feet with a circumference of over 50 feet at the base. During the last few years it is stated a large business has been established in this timber. Its durability and the extraordinary length obtainable has led to its being much employed in harbour works and jetties. There is also shown among the various camples of forest growth tuart; timber, used principally for shafts, naves, and implements. Therelis wandoo also, a very beautiful and durable timber, aud raspberry-jam wood, much used in cabinet work. All these woods, and many others, which are remarkable for their toughness and durability, attract general attention and admiration. BUILDING STONif, MAPS, ETC. In the portion of the New Zealand court still under review there are also some interesting samples of building stone exhibited by the Board of Works Department, the sample of milk-white stone from Oamaru forming one of the most attractive objects in this class of exhibits. There is also a well arranged assortment of washdirt from the various goldfields, and of soils, clays, sands, and natural paints. There is likewise in this division a remarkable exhibit, consisting of a large, dried plant, apparently of fungoid growth, which grows only on the bare shingle of the Southern Alps. It is known to the Highland shepherd aa the vegetable sheep; and, both as regards colour and general appearance, it might be mistaken at a distance for the animal itself. On the walls of this court may also be seen large, coloured physical and geological maps of the colony, and which have been executed in a way which reflects the highest credit upon the survey and geological department* of the colony. In fact, it is not too much to say that, both in regard to finish, accuracy, and minute detail, theue splendidly drawn charts surpass anything of the kind to be found in the Exhibition, PICTURES. On the lower walls of this section are also some small watercolour pictures, and several are from the hand of Miss Gordon Camming. Some of th« latter are well executed, and notably one of Auckland harbour ; but several of thetn are somewhat harsh in outline, and are characterised by an excess of bright colour too prononce even for New Zealand. There is a collection of hand-painted New Zealand flowers, exhibited by Mr. Thomas Russell, C.M.G., which merits high praise ; the execution of each flower is exceedingly g.iod, while the tints of all are perfect. While on the subject of pictures, it may be mentioned that subjects depicting colonial scenery and life, and all relating to the flora and other natural features of the several countries taking part in the great National Show, excite much attention, and this fact has been fully realised in most of the courts, in which, by arranging rows of pictures around the lower walls, a most pleating eff.-ct has been produced. In this particular, Victoria is well to the front, aud her walls are literally lined with splendid paintings of her colonial life and scenery. Some of these productions of her talented artists are perfect gvmc, but it is an open question whether the majority of them excel in execution—they certainly do not in the wild beauty and variety of the subjects treated of—tjhe beautiful paintings forming the New Zealand collection, and which for some apparently unaccountable reason have been one and all remorselessly "skied" in the top gallery of the Albert Hall. If some of the most meritorious of these pictures had been culled out aud exhibited on the walls of the court they could not have failed to add materially to its attractiveness. It is not intended to make any detailed reference to the pictures in thin letter, but a glance at many of them is sufficient to show that in this branch of art at least New Zealand can stand shoulder to shoulder with any of the other colonies. It may be interesting here to state that one of the most remarkable paintings in the building is to bo seen in the West Indian Court. It is a large sized painting by Albert Bierstadt, and is entitled " After a Norther." A huge Atlantic wavo is rolling in upon a sandy shore, flanked by a rocky headland, and backed by a grey stormy sky. The life-like roll of the wave; the green of the water, through which the light shines with transparent brilliancy, crowned by a cloud of spray ; the sandy shore in the foreground, with its jattingpointof rock ; huge turtle and pink-lined spiral shell, just newly oast up from the ocean, are all delineated and painted with a masterly touch truly marvellous. It is almost needless to add that this picture alone attracts crowds of visitors to the court. PHOTOGRAPHS. In the art of photography New Zealand is certainly not surpassed by the productions of any of the other colonies, lu this useful branch of science there are indeed some splendid exhibits. Hart, Campbell, and Co., of luvercargill, display a choice collection Of the mountain and lake scenery of the South island. Indeed it may be justly asked whether better samples than these of photographic art could be produced by any country in the world. The soft blending of light and shadow in the pictures is admirable, while the outlines are singularly distinct and well-defined, without any unnatural Bharpness. They exhibit some enchanting views taken in the vicinity of Lake Wakatipu, and there is one of the township of Queenstown, with the lake in the background, which, for delicate distinctness, claims a high degree of merit. Mr. Burton, of Dunedin, in his New Zealand Through the Camera," exhibits a very fine collection of photographs of characteristic soenery. The mural painting of Milford Sound in the entrance court of the Exhibition was evidently taken from one of his photographs of that place. This interesting branch of art is represented in the North Island by Mr. Josiah Martin, who, among other attractive views, exhibits large-Bized photographs of the terraces and hot springs of the Lake district. All these productions are highly meritorious, and display very accurate judgment in the grouping of the scenes from the most advantageous points of view. Mr. Robert B&rtlett sends native portraits and views, which deserve special mention for their careful and life-like execution, while Mr. E. Willmott presents a tastefully-selected collection of Auckland views and attractive soenery from the surrounding district. Mr, Charlea Hemua

exhibit# gome very fine portraits, and Messrs. | Foy Bros., of the Thames, display photographs of the Thames goldfields, all of which are carefully and beautifully poartrayed. The Rev. R. Laishley, of the same place, exhibits some very interesting and well* executed drawings of Maori heads. JANCY WORK. While dealing with a branch of art which requires a delicate training of the eye, and an equally careful manipulation of the hand, special reference may be made to three classes of exhibits whieh attract a great deal of attention from visitors, especially of the fair sex. The first is a group of cushions, bracket drapes, and a fan by Miss H. Tripp, exemplifying the delicate art of painting on satin. The subjects depicted are festoons of some of the most beautiful indigenous flowers of the colony, enlivened by the brilliant plumaee of winged denizens of the New Zealand forests. In the same case there is a mantel _ drape with scarlet kowhai flowers most artistically designed and worked in silk by Miss Emily C. Harris, of Nelson, and a pair of painted shells by Miss Isa Outhwaite, of Auckland, representing characteristic scenery of the neighbourhood. Much taste and artistic merit is shown in all the three separate exhibits, and they have a distinot New Zealand oharaoter about them from the faot that the flora and fauna and scenery of the country have been brought into play in three separate branches of art which the fair daughters of New Zealand would do wall to study and develop in their highest grades. The materials for exquisite natural designs for artistic work of this character are abuudant in the colony, while the study itself would be of a nature eminently calculated to afford an attractive and useful education for the mind. Exhibited with the above articles are two reticules made of melon seeds, which deserve notice for their novelty and skilful workmanship. They are the production of Miss Esther M. Warner, of Aucklaud. INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS. In that portion of the New Zealand court set apart for industrial products are to be found the names of some of the leading manufacturing firms of the colony, but not in so large a number as might be reasonably hoped for. Taken collectively the exhibits in this department do not seem to indicate that the representatives of the principal trades and industries of the colony have embraced the opportunity to display their wares in the great national show with that earnestness and alacrity, which the auspicious occasion undoubtedly called for. Two at least of the principal and most substantial exhibits in this section specially indicative of the industrial progress of the colony are those afforded by the display of woollen yarns and fabrics made by the Kaiapoi and Moagisl Woollen Manufacturing Companies. The former company has a splendid display of blankets, tartan shawls, fancy tweeds, kersey sheetings, ladies' dress tweeds, rugs, and mauds. The Mosgiel Company's exhibits are rich in flannels, tweeds, rugs, and yarns of excellent quality. In the show case is a tastefully executed screen, on the scroll of which is worked the words, Success to the wool-spinning industry of New Zealand." On the rim of the screen are oval pictures, with views of sheep runs and groups of the principal breeds of sheep, while on one side is an ancient dame plying at a spinning-wheel, and on the other a youth working at a loom, indicative of the modern improvements made in machinery connected with this important branch of industry. As pioneers of what must eventually become an extensive and profitable industry to the colony, too muoh praise cannot be bestowed upon the enterprise and judgment exhibited by both these firms in the varied nature of their displays, and when examining their several produots colleotively it is impossible to say that one company in any way excels the other in the excellence of its special manufactures. The only one of the Australian colonies which can in any way approach New Zealand in this class of goods is Victoria, which exhibits specimens of woollen fabric, serges, tweeds, blankets, rugs, and military clothing of excellent quality. The kauri gum industry is well represented by Mr. H. P. Barber, who exhibits a tastefully assorted collection of this material, among which are a variety of ornaments in the shape of meres, hearts, and Maori heads. Mr. E. B. Reynolds has also a show case of selected gum, in which are some well executed designs of meres, crosses, books, and Bhells. These exhibits attract considerable attention ; the ferns and flies, however deftly embedded beneath the transparent surface of the bright yellow gum, causing many to mistake it for amber. There is a splendid model of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Kaikoura, and one of a steamer representing a new method for propulsion by the application of propellers to the fore part of the hull, i.e., a short distance " forrard " of the beam. It is the invention of Mr. Isaac Plimmer, of Wellington. There is a " five-glass landeau " built of New Zealand timber exhibited by Messrs. Cousin and Atkin. It is well designed, with a luxuriously cushioned interior ; the wheels lire slight yet strongly made, and the combination of the springs should render it a light and comfortable vehicle for travelling. A small quartz crushing and gold saving machine of novel construction is exhibited by Mr. Ashcroft of Wellington. The New Zealand Iron and Steel Company of Auckland send samples of iron and article) manufactured from it. There is a good model of an electric tramcar by R. E. Fletcher and Co. ol Dunedin, and a patent carriage shaft and pole attachment by J. A. Bert of Wellington; There is a handsome show case filled with * variety of well-made boots and shoes, and simples of raw leather and other fair specimens of the tanner's trade exhibited by l-ightbaud, Allan, and Co. <;f Christchurch. In silversmiths' work there is a cclleotioti of trophies, consisting of prize cups made of New Zealand silver by Petersen and (Jo. of Cnristchurch. The finest exhibit, aniouj} which is the Amateur Athletic Ciub Champion Cup, presented by the lidies of Canterbury. There is also a haudsom* cni ! massive tea service of solid silver made .-id exhibited by Mr. tl. W. Kohn. There are a few earthen ware, terra cntvi. and glazed goods, and Mr. Richard Poole of Dunedin sends a patent safety apparatus for fire grates. Perfumery is well represented by Messrs. John and Thomas Mason, of Auckland, in a collection of perfumes manufactured from crude materials. It cannot be said that the colony is strong in musical instruments, the only exhibits being a pianette, one set of bagpipes, and four organ pipes. Canada stands well to the front in this kind of exhibits, and presents a large number of pianos, harmoniums, and other instruments of the highest class, manufactured in the most elaborate and tasteful way. The cheese manufacturing industry is represented by the Waikato Cheese and Bacon Factory and the Ashburton Cheese and Bacon Company. Mr. F. A. Moore, of Wellington, sends "solid soup in skins." The Gear Meat Preserving Company, meat, soup, and fish ; Ewing and Co., Kaipara fresh mullet in tins ; and Mr. John Butoher, of the Thames, tinned eels. The School of Agriculture, of Canterbury, exhibits hams and bacon, and Messrs. Holmes and Bell, of Blenheim, preserved rabbits and fish. Messrs. R. and W. Hellaby, of Auckland, preserved meats and soups, and the New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company fish, meat, soups, and butter. There are exhibits of preserved fruits and vegetables from Messrs. Holmes and Bell, of Blenheim, and from F. N. Gordon, of Oamaru, and Knight, of New Plymouth. [To be continued.]