MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9139, 22 August 1888, Page 6

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

THE NEW ZEALAND COURT, -

THE MINERAL EXHIBIT.[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Melbourne,, August 15. It was my original intention to have described the New Zealand Court in the order in which it is arranged, commencing at the beginning, so to speak, and going right through it, from the entrance in the Grand Avenue of Nations to the imaginary line which divides it from the workroom of the Victorian Blind Asylum at the rear. The interest which the mineral exhibit lias not unnaturally attached to itself, however, has compelled me to change my plan, and before referring to the other staple products of the colony and its manufactures, I intend to discuss more fully the now vexed question of the inadequate representation of New Zealand mining. A vexed question it undoubtedly is. My first cursory inspection of the Court convinced me that either the Government or the Commissioners, or those more directly interested in the development of our mineral resources, were greatly to blame, and the more tho subject was considered the stronger became this conviction. At this time the Tasmanian and Queensland Courts were in a very backward state—the latter, indeed, was closed to the public, but even allowing for all this, it was quite clear that tho sister colonies had made ample provision in a matter which our people had practically ignored. Two days after my arrival I met an old Aucklander, well known in Waikato, Mr. Kennedy Hill, who is now deeply interested in mining matters in New South Wales, find under his guidance I made an inspection of the exhibits forwarded by the mother colony. To say that I was surprised and delighted is not'enough. 1 was astounded at what I saw. Scarcely a mine of any importance is unrepresented, and some of the trophies are simply magnificent. No one visiting the New South Wales Court can fail of being impressed with the enormous resources of the colony, or hesitate, if inclined to speculate (and everybody here is possessed of the speculative spirit in a greater or lesser degree) to invest in the great undertakings so prominently brought under his notice. While admiring the rich mountains of quartz and ore so temptingly displayed, and feasting our eyes upon innumerable nuggets, we were joined by Mr. Witheford, of Auckland, and the three of us proceeded down the Avenue to that portion of the great building devoted to the interests of Maoriland, taking in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland en route. The contrast presented by our mineral exhibits to those we had passed was striking and painful, not to say humiliating, and though my companions said little, it was obvious they thought a great deal. In place of the huge piles of the earth's treasures we had seen elsewhere, we were confronted with a narrow glass case, containing a whole heap of fossiliferous specimens, intermixed with sand and quartz, excellently arranged, and classified, no doubt, as was to be expected, but possessing as much interest in the eyes of the general public as a stuinp fence or a heap of road metal. Quite true, there were a couple of beautifully executed relief maps, the handiwork of Sir James Hector, showing the topographical and geological features of the colony, together with a host of ordinary charts and maps full of the most interesting information, but little, practically nothing, upon which the eye or the imagination could feed. Further on also, the Brunner Coal Company have a good exhibit of their bituminous coal, coke, and fireclay, the Bay of Islands Coal Company's specimens of hard and soft coal, highly approved, and carrying the imprimatur of Admiral Fairfax, samples of coal from Coal Creek, Greymouth, from Callingwood, from the Waikato Coal and Shipping Company's mine at Taupiri, lumps of coke and coal from many other places in the colony, north and south, together with specimens of antimony ore, copper, petroleum, fireclay, and ironstone (from Kamo), but what might justly bo called the premier industry of the province of Auckland, at anyrate, was almost unrepresented. Mr. Witheford, in the course of conversation, mentioned that he had drafted a letter to the Premier, pointing out the mistake that had been committed, and offering to contribute £100 towards the proper representation of New Zealand in tho matter of minerals. Considering the subject one of the greatest importance, 1 did my part by cabling to you on the 4th. I was fortified in my action not only by the opinions of the gentlemen named above, but also by those of numerous others. New Zealanders and Australians, with whom I conversed. They one and all expressed their astonishment at the wretched display made by us, and garnished their statements with epithets much stronger in character than any used by me. That the cable message, finding its way all over the colony, backed up by the leading article in your issue of the 6th, should have created a sensation, was to be expected, and the intelligence published in the Argus of the following days — Tuesday and Wednesday — was gratefully welcomed by many New Zealanders here. Amongst the Commissioners, however, it fell like a bombshell. They had been going on so calmly and peacefully, undisturbed by a breath of criticism for 60 long that when it came they resented it warmly. In compliance with the cabled request of the Premier for information a sort of indignation meeting was held, and a resolution was passed to the effect that the mining resources of the colony were fairly if inadequately (mark the qualification) represented, and replied in some such terms to Sir Harry Atkinson. Subsequently the secretary to the Commissioners (Mr. Callis) informed me that the exhibits were not all set up, and it may be that a surprise is in store for us, though it is a long time in coming, and one really cannot conceive from what quarter it is to come, or how it is to be conjured up, unless it has been projected since the date of the now-famous cablegram. It seems to have been taken for granted that I blamed the Commissioners. Nothing can be more absurd than this. In the first place no one could expect them to do much, certainly not to attempt anything original, on the paltry £3500 voted by the Government and, in the second place, it is beyond the bounds of reason to suppose that they can exhibit that which is not sent to them. It is not necessary to reiterate the reasons which exist for making what is vulgarly called a "splash" in the mining world at present. All our neighbours are straining every nerve in their bodies to obtain the notice of capitalists, and New Zealand, which hits resources equal to the best, cannot expect to win a race for which she does not enter. For the ridiculous show in our mineral or rather mining department the owners of mines, or those most directly connected with and dependent upon mining are in a large degree responsible no doubt, and have given further evidence of that apathetic spirit for which I am afraid they are only too justly blamed on this side of the water. But the matter is not a mere local or personal one : it is one that affects the whole colony, and every individual member of the community more or less, and a Government whose proudest boast is that it will throw back the wave of depression, and restore the colony its old-time prosperity, should not have neglected any golden opportunity. With singular prescience the Herald foresaw what would happen, and challenged the personnel of the Commission months and months ago. Without calling in question the industry or integrity of the Commissioners, it must be frankly admitted that a great mistake was made in not including in the number one who should at the Same time represent the Northern province and the mining interests pure and simple. It is never too late to mend, and during the six or seven months ensuing, during which the Exhibition will be open, a great deal might be done to remedy past defects. The stream of English and Continental visitors has not yet set inprobably will not commence to flow for another month or six weeks—and in the interval a vast deal might be done, if properly set about. If it be permissible to make a suggestion, let the Government repair the omission in the list of the Commissioners by appointing an Auckland man, and lot that man be Mr. Witheford, than whom none takes a deeper interest in the development of the mineral resources of the colony. Whether Mr. Witheford would consent to act I do nob know,

not having seen him since the idea occurred to me, but if he thought that by so doing he could be of service to the colony, I am sure he would not hesitate. I am glad to be able to add that, so far as it was possible to secure it, the public here have been made fully cognisant of the fact that the display in the New Zealand Court does not by any means fairly represent our resources. The Argus has referred to the subject on several occasions. Your leader of the 6th is greatly appreciated, and will, it is to be hoped, be productive of happy results. AT THE BEGINNING. Having got rid of the above interesting, if not altogether satisfactory subject for the present, let us return to the portals of the Court and make a more formal entrance. The facade, if it may be so called, is neat, but neither so gaudy nor impressive as the other courts. It quite pales before the splendour of Germany on the other aide of the way, and coming from the south is altogether obscured by the elegant frontispiece of Queensland, whose court adjoins ours. The tall arches, which are part of the building and not the creation of the Commissioners, are tricked out in green, and. relieved with banners and ferns. At the southern end, next the Queensland Court, is a large, gilded obelisk, containing 824 cubic feet, and representing the amount of gold mined in Now Zealand up to the end of 1887, viz., 11,220,598 ounces, valued at £44,042,576. Balancing the obelisk at the northern end is the lofty pole of a kauri tree, eight or nine feet in diameter. It seems a pity that the trunk could not have been brought over entire, as the bark having been slit up for transportation, calls up, as I have before expressed it, visions of butter kegs and beer barrels in a rather unpleasant manner. Around the trunk are ranged some interesting specimens of ferns, pungas, and nikau palms, the whole serving to stamp in an unmis- ! takeable way the nationality of the court, at least in the eyes of New Zealanders. In front of the building line, so to speak, the Unian S.S. Co. have placed some models of their steamers, neatly got up and labelled. Here also is a glass cabinet con tain - ing some beautiful specimens of the silversmith's art from tho establishment of Mr. S. Kohn, Wellington. They have been greatly admired. Entering the court under the centre arch, the eye of the visitor is at once caught by the exhibits of the

MOSGIEL WOOLLEN COMPANY, whose quaint but happy motto "A' AE 00" is everywhere prominent. The exhibit is contained in a handsome plate glass case '20 feet long 10 feet broad by about 10 feet high, standing on a pedestal about IS inches high. The Mosgiel factory claims to be, and indeed is, the pioneer of the industry in New Zealand, and it must be said for those who direct its steps that it has striven hard to maintain the first position in other respects as well. The company was first established in 1871, and ever since that time, when operations were commenced in a converted flour mill, the business has gone on steadily increasing, until at the present moment over 400 people are employed in converting the natural clothing of the sheep into artificial coverings for the human race. It is the boast of the Mosgiel Company, as indicated by their motto, that they use nothing but wool, and the best of that they can get. They abhor the name of "shoddy," and will have none of it. The company, unlike that at Kaiapoi, confines itself to the manufacture of woollens, and does not go in for " making-up," hence, the exhibit embraces no garments, except socks and stockings, and knitted underclothing. But the variety of articles is none the less remarkable. They range from the finest merino dress stuff's, or silk-mixed stripe and checks for ladies' wear; woollens suitable for the tropics, up to the heaviest Melton tweeds. There are trouserings and vestings of all patterns and textures — plaids, mauds, shawls, rugs, blankets, and other articles much " too numerous to particularise." A novelty is the "Cosie railway rug," which contains pockets for the feet and hands of the traveller. There are also all kinds of knitting wools ; while upon two side-stands are displayed quantities of tweed, etc., which visitors may touch and examine. The case is ornamented with a fine specimen of Cheviot ram, stuffed ; and, taking it altogether, it is I consider, about the best exhibit in the court. All the goods have been sold for removal at the close of the Exhibition ; and the manager of the company, Mr. Morrison, informs me that they could easily have got lid of double the quantity on the same terms. He, however, despairs of being able to compete with protected Victorian factories, arid looks to the Exhibition rather to advertise his goods throughout the world in general, and the other colonies in particular. Surprise has been expressed that, of all the woollen factories in the colony, only tho Mosgiel has had the enterprise to take up space in the Exhibition. Melbourne people are astonished at the want of enterprise thus shown. The lack of interest on the part of New Zealand manufacturers is painfully apparent throughout. Our court, in point of the numbers of exhibits, is by no means the worst, but it is really nothing compared with what it might have been. Furthermore, the exhibitors do not appear to have taken any pains to show on their contributions to advantage, while the people of the other colonies nave been particularly careful in this regard. With the exception of the Mosgiel Company, just noticed, the Gear Meat Preserving Company, and one or two others, the exhibitors seem to have thought that when they dumped their goods on board the steamer and labelled them " care of the New Zealand Commissioners," they had performed their duty conscientiously ; but if they were here and able to mark the difference between their style of doing things and that adopted by their neighbours, they would open their eyes much wider than is their wont.

PRESERVED MEATS. The Gear Company's fine exhibit is directly opposite the Mosgiel case, on the right hand as we enter. Like the woollen goods, the well arranged host 6f tins are contained in a handsome glass case of ample dimensions, surmounted by two wellexecuted paintings representing the company's works, from the brush of an old Aucklander, Mr. Pulford. The trophy consists of about 3000 tins, of various sizes and shapes of meats and soups, and has attracted a great deal of attention. At the reor of it, and against the wall of the Queensland Court, are a number of unpretentious and, it must be said, unattractive stands, on which are placed exhibits of New Zealand mullet from Ewing and Co., Kaipara, tinned meats, etc., from the New Zealand Frozen Meat Company, Auckland, and meats and fish from various other places in the colony. The Frozen Meat Company's exhibit is certainly not what it ought to be, and can convey no idea to the outside world of the magnitude of the company's operations or the large interests involved in the concern. Possibly the company thought the Commissioners would attend to matters of ornamentation, though a moment's reflection surely ought to have convinced them of the folly of such belief. The Commissioners have indeed done wonders with the small amount placed at their disposal, and to expect that they should beautify every exhibit sent them is nonsense. Again I say it would do our people good to see the way in which our neighbours have gone about these matters. The New Zealand Court contains an immense variety of articles badly arranged, and the effect they would under happier circumstances j have produced has been almost nullified.

THE COMMISSIONERS' TROPHIES. These remarks do not apply to those special exhibits which it has been the duty of the Commissioners to prepare. Apart from the kauri tree and the gold plinth, there are, in the centre of the court, and in full view as we pass out from the Mosgiel and Gear Company cases, two commanding trophies, one representing the grain and the other tho woollen products of the colony. The former is a tall pillar forced of sheaves of wheat, barley, and oats, well arranged, and standing upon a glazed pedestal, on which are recorded some useful statistics relating to our grain production. This cannot fail to win admiration, and tho same remark will apply to the wool trophy, which is made up of a splendid assortment of scoured and dyed# wools, representing, and well representing, the various breeds of sheep maintained in the colony. This pillar is surmounted by a stuffed "longwool sheep, and the pedestal, as in the case of the grain trophy, is studded with' facts and figures bearing upon this important staple. Near by is a large glass case, erected by the Commissioners, containing a vast number of samples of our grain of all sorts and varieties, and the arrangement reflects the highest credit on

Sir James Hector and those acting with him here, amongst the number being Mr. J. T. Matson, the well-known merchant, of Christchurch. There are also several open cases containing grain, flour, oatmeal, grass and clover seeds, &c. Amongst them may be seen some splendid specimens of flour and porridge meal from the Auckland Roller Mills, ana flour and patent Germina from Mr. Firth's Eight Hours' Roller Mills. These exhibits will, in the opinion of independent and impartial judges, compare favourably with anything of the kind in the Exhibition. There are also some beautiful samples of flour, &c., from the South, and, taking it altogether, our show of alimentary products would be hard to beat, though a little coloured paint and gilt would do no harm, and might draw more attention to them. ARTICLES OF FOOD.

Following the catalogue rather than the order in which the exhibits are placed in the court, it may be well to complete my references to the food and cognate products before dealing with manufactures, minerals, furniture, models, and the fine arts. Though Auckland possesses two or more manufacturers of baking and custard powder, the colony is represented solely by a Nelson firm, and, notwithstanding the enormous quantity of biscuits, and of the first quality, made in our own city, it is reserved for a Dunedin company, " The Phcenix," to represent New Zealand in this important branch of industry, with a paltry 31 tins of "assorted" piled together without any regard for beauty or effect. Butter and cheese are more liberally represented, nearly all tho factories in the colony being represented, but the exhibit has not yet been properly fixed up, and I cannot say what it will look like. The Frozen Meat Company and Mr. Henry Reynolds are both to the fore ; and I hope to have the pleasure of recording a favourable report upon them. The meat exhibits have already been mentioned. Of vegetables and fruit there is only a very limited shew. Mr. Beloe, of Pukekohe, has sent twenty varieties of apples, and very nice they look in the commissioner's office, but I am afraid they will not keep long, and I trust ere long to assist the Commissioners at a fruit banquet. Preserved vegetables come from Blenheim, pickles from Wellington, and the Hon. M. Holmes sends a few sacks of very fine potatoes from Oamaru, together with some mangolds and turnips, which serve to indicate the good quality of the land in that famous district. Under the heading of condiments, &c., we have tomato sauce galore, some of Olsen's among the rest, honey, preserved fruits, jellies, Worcester (why cannot we invent a new name or two ?) sauce, lollies, chocolate creams, preserves, coffees, peppers and spices, ginger ale, aerated waters, cordials, and the various articles which come under the name of confectionery, a goodly quantity but ill arranged, and not so pleasant to look upon as they might be. INTOXICATING DRINKS. The exhibits in this class lire not very numerous, but they fairly represent, in a plain and unostentatious way, the capability of the colony. Mr. Adams, of Pahi, Kaipara, sends some 18 months' old cider, .Mr. Webb, of Ponsonby, and Mr. Wendell, of Symonds-street, contribute samples of their wines, and among the numerous exhibitors of ale and stout I find Messrs. Brown and Campbell. There is also a rather attractive exhibit of Te Aroha water, forwarded by Hancock and Co. During the summer months the firm would do well to supply a limited quantity for sampling purposes. I believe they would profit by the experiment. A GROUP OF CURE-ALLS. Group IX. I find is composed of somewhat showy exhibits, sent by Mr. J. Neill, lace of Auckland, Mr. Hitchens, of blood restorer fame, and a Mr. Robertson, of Woodlands, Southland. Between them these gentlemen are apparently able to cure all the ills to which our unfortunate flesh is heir, but I doubt whether the Australian public are to be easily converted to a belief in the efficacy of the compounds. In my next letter I purpose dealing with the furniture, timber, and mineral exhibits. GENERAL NOTES. The attendance at the Exhibition has not been nearly so large as was expected. The bad weather we have experienced has no doubt had much to do with this, but the main cause is to be found in the fact that the Exhibition is still in a most unfinished state. Many of the courts are still barricaded with half empty packing cases, and the sound of the workman's hammer is growing painfully monotonous.- The attendance on Saturday was about 10,000, about half the number expected. Yesterday was one of the days set apart for the elite, and a charge of 2s fid was made for admission, with the result that the Grand Avenue during the day wore quite a deserted aspect. In. the evening, however, there was a good attendance. At least a month must elapse before everything is in ship shape. At present some parts of the building are bewildering mazes. The musical arrangements are pronounced by judges to be excellent, but the hoi polloi want something more than has yet been provided. Mr Cowan's concerts are superb of their kind, but unfortunately the musical education of the masses has been somewhat neglected, and the dulcet strains float over the heads of the majority of the audience, and do not enter into the heart at all. A couple of brass bands stationed in different parts of the building, playing martial and popular music, is a desideratum which it is sincerely to be hoped the Commissioners will see fit to supply ere long. The other day I was an eyewitness of a little incident which, for some reason or other, has not been noted in any of the Melbourne papers. I had the good fortune to be in the Government Model Dairy when the Premier, Mr. Duncan Gillies, received i a practical lesson in the art of buttermaking. Under the guidance of the manager, he was watching the operation of a small centrifugal churn. Through an accident the compressed air blew the top of the churn off with great violence, and the Premier, who was got up regardless of expense, was simply plastered with butter from top to toe. Probably the operation of buttering is not new to him ; anyhow he took it very calmly, and remained quite imperturbable while two pretty dairymaids scraped the oleaginous mass off his clothes with wooden knives, during which time the small crowd who gathered about laughed consumedly. I have seen very few New Zealanders so far. I presume they intend waiting for the Cup, when they will be able to see two big shows at one time.

The weather is very cold and bleak— colder, I think, than it is with you —but I am comforted by the reflection that I shall not have to complain much longer on that score.

The terrific land boom, which has been carrying everything before it, shows signs of subsidence, but nothing in the shape of a collapse is anticipated. Indeed, it is said that with the advent of further sums of money expected from Europe, things will soon "boom" at a greater rate than hitherto.