DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9539, 4 December 1889, Page 5

DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Dewkdin, Tnesday. A BOLD 'rKQTKCT. I am informed on the best authority that a movement has already been set on foot for making use of the present Exhibition for the future benefit of the colony. It is proposed to secure tlio agricultural exhibits, natural products generally, and the minerals,and take them to London, whero an exhibition will be established. Itis understood that this proposal emanated in the first instance from Mr. Harris Hastings, the secretary of the Exhibition. Mr. Hustings has enlisted the sympathy of the veteran Joubert, who thinks so highly of the scheme that he has determined to go on with ic and, if possible, carry the thing to a successful issue. He has, therefore, drawn up a memo, on the subject with, I believe, tho approval and aid of Mr. Twopony and Mr. Koborts, and this will very shortly bo submitted to Lord Onslow. It was necessary, of course, to secure the countenance and support of the Government if possible, and members of the Ministry havo been informally approached on tho matter. So encouraging has been the reception of the scheme that Mr. Hastings, so I understand, has great hopes. At present, however, the matter is quite in an embryo stage, and nothing of it has leaked out here tit all. If anything further or more tangible is settled within a very few days I will, of course, let you know. .Tho probaUle course will be to form a small company to manage the whole thing. Ifc is, of course, rather premature to comment on a scheme at present so incomplete, but one cannot possibly help makina- one or two remarks even at tho risk of their being thought premature if not churlish. In the first place the mineral exhibits in tho Now Zealand Court may do for tho nucleus of a much moro extensive and properly representative collection, but in no sort of way is it large enough, good enough, or orderly enough to send home. As to the natural products, with the produce of the chief agricultural provinoes of the colony represented by half-a-dozen stray exhibits of wool and some splendid samples of seed wheat, etc., Messrs. Hastings and Joubert will have to take with these something very much better than exhibited in the Jubilee Exhibition, ISS9, if they are to make a decent show in England. If the Government tako tho matter up, it must be with a full conviction that the material is ready to thoir hands, as little more than the germ of what a really representative exhibition of New Zealand products must eventually grow to. MISCELLANEOUS. , The Dunedin Harbour Board naturally took an opportunity to show the visitors " our harbour," and a very pleasant excursion, took place to-day. The Australian party of visitors professed themselves delighted and astonished at the improvement of the harbour. They, havo gone en ?nasse to too Governor's ball, and have evidently laid themselves out to have a real good time while inNew Zealand. A number mean to remain about a month or five weeks in the colony, and travel North very shortly. Provision is being made for improving the electric lighting of tho Exhibition Gardens. Captain Falconer, who ha* charge of the Submarine-Mining Department, Is adding taller -arc lights to the two which were lirst set in working order. Last night the fernery was also lit up for the first time by means of electricity, an incandescent lamp being hung from the beams, and one concealed among the little gullies which have been constructed among the thick ferns. They give the place quite a fairylike appearance, and enhance its already great attractions manifold.

[DY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Dunedin, Tuesday. About 70 visitors to the Dunedin Exhibition, including lu members of the Victorian Legislature, were the guests of the Harbour Board, to-day, on a trip to the Heads. A few toaats were honoured. The Hon. G. Langridge (Victoria), in proposing success to the Harbour Board, expressed the gratification of the visitors at the hospitality extended to them in Dunedin, and their delight with the Exhibition. He came after seeing: some of the largest Exhibitions in the world, in the expectation that this would be a small Exhibition, but he thought it magnificent for a city like Dunedin, and that , it compared 'favourably with any he had ever seen. He only wished the Mel bourne Centennial Exhibition had been as well managed. Tho total attendance at the Exhibition to-day was 4345, of which 1082 paid cash. His Excellency the Governor gave a ball to-nieht at Government House. There was a large attendance,, including several members of the Victorian Legislature.