MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9142, 25 August 1888, Page 5

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

THE NEW ZEALAND COURT. AN AUCKLANDER'S IMPRESSIONS. ' THE DISPLAY INADEQUATE. POOR SHOW OF MINERALS. ' [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. ] 'Wellington, Friday. As Mr. J. Aitken Connell, of Auckland, one of the honorary Commissioners for New Zealand at the Melbourne Exhibition, passed through Wellington to-day by the Mararoa, en route for Auckland, I interviewed him regarding his impressions as to the representation of the colony at the Exhibition. OUR IKDCSTRLA.L RESOURCES. He informed me that his impression of the New Zealand Court was that the display, as regards manufactures, was weak in variety, taking into account the number in the colony. Those displayed, however, were exceedingly good. ■ The wool exhibit of the Mosgiel Woollen Factory appears to have deeply impressed the, people of Victoria, who . have been very , unsuccessful in their own woollen manufactures, notwithstanding their heavy , importation. The display of the Gear Company was also much admired. The grain and wool trophies of the colony were the finest in the Exhibition. Messrs E. Mitchelson and Company's fine display of kauri gum and varnish, etc., attracted great attention, and was much admired. The exhibit of New Zealand-made furniture was varied and beautiful, though not very extensive, and the maps and models'of the colony by the Survey Department and by Sir James Hector respectively, gave a large amount of in, formation. * THE FERNERY. As to the display of ferns and semitropical plants, it was all that-, could be desired, being both tasteful and extensive. The collection of photographs and pictures was good., :

: ■ . THE MINERAL EXHIBITS. Coming to the minerals, the weakness of the court in comparison with the resources of the colony was very apparent. Coal was the only mineral which may bo regarded as fairly represented. Our weakness in minerals was the more noticeable, inasmuch as Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales had a magnificent and imposing display. Vast columns of tin and copper ore, with : many tons' of manufactured ingots, were particularly noticeable, as well as gold and quartz displays. Taking the mineral exhibits at his command, Mr. Connell thinks that Sir James Hector had arranged his court to equal advantage with that of any other Executive Commissioner, and although on the opening day the court was comparatively bare/ within a week afterwards the change was striking, and exceedingly satisfactory. ''MINING EXHIBITS FOR MELBOURNE. ;<■( - Thames, Friday. Mr. George WiLson, Mining Inspector, received a telegram ; to-day from Mr. H. A. Gordon, Inspecting Engineer, Mines Department, to the effect that the Government would give a "guaranteeJ to return all rich specimens of , quartz forwarded to the Melbourne Exhibition. Mr. Wilson , was also instructed to unite with Mr. . .Montgomery, of the School of Mines, in ascertaining the value of such specimens, with a view to insuring them. Mr. Porter and Mr. Wilson leave for Paeroa to-morrow morniug.