INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 702, 14 August 1885, Page 21

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

FIFTH DAY —THURSDAY, AUG. 6.

The early portion of the afternoon wan fine, and a good many visitors paid for admission. Up to 4.30 pm , 515 persons passed in. Mr Kline’s band played some selections during the afternoon. Though the evening was cold boisterous, and altogether very uninviting, 987 persons went to the Exhibition, “ Elijah being the great attraction. Had the night been fine, it is probable that double that number would have attended. Seating accommodation was provided for 830 at the concert ball, over 200 patent chairs having been purchased this week. In addition to the Police Forca under Inspector Goodall, a dozen of the Armed Constabulary, under the charge of Sergeant Gentles, paraded the building, and there was no crushing such as prevailed at the opening ceremony. In the afternoon £l6 12s was taken for tickets, and at night £49 9s 9d, making a total of £66 Is There are a good many washing-machines at the Exhibition. A contest between the various owners some evening would prove rather interesting. Messrs Fletcher and Co., who are fatting up the electric light at the Exhibition, have received communications from some of the residents on the West Coast in reference to the Telpher system of electric railway. A model of thi3 ingenious invention of the late Professor Fleming Jenkins is daily at work in the machinery annexe, and invariably attracts large crowds of visitors. It travels up and down Bteep gradients with the greatest ease. _ Four additional doors, to open outward in case of accidents, are to be placed in various parts of the building. As the show of Auckland fruit was gradually disappearing, some wire netting has been placed over it. , . ~ . The Government Insurance Association ha 3 given an order to Messrs Bock and Cousins to print 15,000 circulars ia the building, which are to be distributed to the visitors.

MENDELSSOHN’S “ELIJAH.’’ The performance of Mendelssohn’s glorious oratorio, “ Elijah,” perhaps on the whole the finest of all works of that class, drew together a very large audience at the Exhibition concert hall last night week. Notwithstanding the incessant heavy rain, and the half-crown price of the tickets, the hall was packed in every part, and many listeners had to stand throughout the entire performance. “ Elijah ” is no novelty in Wellington. To Mr Robert Parker belongs the credit of introducing the complete work here, it having been produced by him at the first concert of the late Choral Society that heconducted. It was given at the (since-burned) Opera House, Manners-street, with marked success. The second performance was also by the Choral Society a year or two later in St Peter’s new church, Mr Angelo Forrest being the conductor, and Mr Paiker the organist. That was also an excellent representation of Mendelssohn’s masterpiece. The third time it was given here was at St. Paul’s Church two or three years a go, Mr Parker was once more the conductor, and in that case Mr Neville Barnett presided at the organ. These two gentlemen were again similarly associated last night week, and with even more successful results? A review of the work itself would be quite supererogatory nowadays. . It has grown more and more in familiarity, and is second to none in popularity'; although, necessarily, much more elaborate and difficult than the favorite works of Handel and Havdn, sucb, ’for instance, as “The Messiah” or “The Creation.” Everybody admits that it abounds in the most beautiful melody and the richest harmony, that it is a most powerful and dramatic tone-picture of the many stirring incidents in the career of the great prophet of Israel. Of striking situations, indeed, there is a perfect wealth in this work. So many are there that the final chorus of the oratorio, instead of being its culminating' point, is almost an anti-climax, and a great critic has said that “ posterity will undoubtedly pronounce it an unworthy conclusion to so great a work. ’ But were it not the least powerful—though by no means the least difficult and “catchy”— choral movement in the oratorio, it would, labor under the disadvantage of being, preceded by a series of marvellous and thrilling “points?’ coming one after another, climax after climax, until the listener is sensible of a positive strain in the high pitch of excitement at which he is maintained. Thus we have successively the. Restoring to Life of the Widow’s Son ; the Descent of the Fire from Heaven ; the Miracle of the Rain ; the Whirlwind, the Earthquake, the Fire ; and the Still Small Voice ; and lastly, Elijah’s Translation to Heaven ia a Fiery Chariot. . After all these, so marvellously depicted and skilfully led up to, so asgradually to work up the interest and enthusiasm to the utmost point of tension, the finale —a mere ordinary scholastic futrue 0 Q a somewhat commonplace theme—produces almost’ a revulsion of feeling. Some, in fact, have imagined that Mendelssohn designed' it to have this effect, and . to calm the vivid excitement which the earlier numbers had stirred up ; but this view is generally dissented from, and the simple fact is accepted that he who had achieved so brilliant, so wonderful, so unequalled a triumph in the rest of his noblest oratorio, failed in the last moment of all to rise to his own exalted But the other numbers stand wholly unsurpassed, and seldom equalled in all music. Not only are the choruses sublime in their, conception, admirable in their scholastic devices, and per fee tin their workmanship,but the movements for solo voices are no less remarkable. Among the former it would be hard to match iu other works such a series of musical marvels a 9 “ Help, Lord,” “ Yet doth the Lord see it not,” “Blessed are the men,” “Baal, we cry. to thee,” “Thanks be to God,” “Be not afraid,V “ He watching over Israel,” ** He that Bhall endure to the end,” and “ Behold, God the Lord passed by.” But it would be equally difficult to instance more lovely airs than “ Help me, man of God” and “ Hear ye, Israel,” for soprano ; « \goe unto them ” and “ O, rest in the Lord,” for eontralto ; “ If, with all your hearts ” and “ Then shall the righteous,’’ for tenor ; “ Lord God oE Abraham,” “Open the Heavens,” “It is enough,” and “For the mountains,” for basso or baritone, or again, any more vigorous piece of declamatory writing than the famous “Hammer, song,” and “Is not his word like a fire,” for the

last named voice. The duet for the widow and Elijah, the trio “Lift thine eyes,” the quartets “ Cast thy burden,” and. “ O, come everyone that thiisteth,” have no superiors and few equals in that class of vocal music. Nor must the wonderfully descriptive overture in D minor be forgotten. In short, “Elijah” is a perfect treasure-house of musical gems—vocal, choral, and orchestral — of the purest water, and it will be long ere its high position as the grandest achievement in oratorio is wrested from it, or even seriously menaced. It will even be the proudest boast of Birmingham —to whose triennial festivals music owes so many rich additions, that it had the honor of producing this immortal masterpiece under the composer’s personal direction. There are many old musicians still living in Birmingham who took part in that memorable production, and who still cannot speak of the occasion without emotion. It is with sincere pleasure that we are ame to award warm praise to the interpretation of Mendelssohn’s great work by the Exhibition Festival Choir and orchestra. There were abundant tokens of hard and conscientious work in the rehearsals, in the noteworthy fact that the most difficult choruses were the best executed. The few weaknesses which might be singled out for criticism occurred in places where the choralists were doubtless more confident and so less careful. Still these were very few and far between, and, as a rule, the chorus-singing was remarkably good. Not merely were the arduous, movements given with admirable precision in time and tune, but they were also euDg with excellent expressiveness and with a keen appreciation ©f the varied shades of sentiment inspiring the music. Mr Parker may well be complimented on the result attained, and on the skill and tact with which he kept together his rather large vocal and instrumental force. It was a great advantage to have the aid of so gifted and accomplished an organist as Mr Neville Barnett, uuder whose able manipulation the new organ was heard to very satisfactory effect. Theorchestrawasge.nerally efficient, but strayed a little once or twice, and was not always irreproachable in tune. The violoncello obbligato to “ It is enough ” was very tastefully executed. The soloists are entitled to their full share of credit for the

general success. Mr Parker bespoke indulgence for the soprano solo singers, on the ground that they were officiating in the absence of the professional vocalist, Mrs Cotterell, who was to have held that part, but was unable to be present. No apology, however, wa3 really needed. Mrs Greenwood in “ Hear ye Israel,” repeated one of her long-familiar triumphs. Miss Williams, in the dual part of the widow and the youth, acquitted herself excellently, while Miss Randell, in the trio and quartets, sang with her accustomed taste and correctness. Mrs Webb’s pure contralto voice was, as usual, heard at its best in “ O rest in the Lord,” one of the brightest gems of the work, which the composer, most unaccountably, was very near cutting out as “too sweet,” and lacking.in sufficient dignity. Every musician will rejoice that he was dissuaded from this intention. Miss Hislop was a little overweighted in “Woe unto them,” but sang it. nicely, and Mrs Mackintosh was very efficient in the incidental contralto solos. The lovely trio, "Lift thine eyes,” was charmingly sung by Mrs Greenwood, Miss Randell, and Mrs Webb. The chief tenor part was sustained throughout by Mr J. W. Hill, to whose efforts may be accorded cordial commendation. He had manifestly made a careful study of the music, and his reading of “If with all your hearts ” was not only admirable, bub was strictly in consonance with the traditional interpretation of that famous soug. He was also very satisfactory in the recitative, principal quartet, and incidental solos, but was less happy in “ Then shall the righteous,” which was taken too fast. Mr Plimmer (tenor) gave useful assistance in the quartet “ Cast thy burden.” and in the octet “He shall give his angels.” We have left the principal solo part of all to speak of last. But though last, it was certainly nob least. The title role of Elijah was tilled by Mr Gard’ner, who had come up from Christchurch expressly for the purpose, and who gave undoubtedly the best reading of that exacting part ever yet heard in Wellington. Mr Hollister’s very meritorious singing in this role on former occasions will not be forgotten by Wellington audiences, but Mr Gard’ner, while equalling that gentleman in richness of voice and excellent method of singing, surpassed him greatly in the expression and dignity of his representation of the great prophet. He was best of all in the numerous dramatic recitatives, but also 3ang splendidly the prayer “ Lord God of Abraham,” and in the exquisitely pathetic air “It is enough.” He was not altogether so successful in the “ Hammer song,” which seemed less to suit his Btyle. It is no small task to sing through the part of Elijah, and very few colonial singers could do so with such good effect as Mr Gard’ner. The performance as a whole may fairly be characterised as a thorough musical treat. Listening to “ Elijah ” one is often struck with the unfortunate results of translation into a language different from that to which the music was originally composed. Mendelssohn’s librettist, too, the late Mr Bartholomew, was by no means a worthy collaborateur. It is true he did not supply to Mendelssohn such shocking doggrel as poor Sir Michael Costa found himself compelled, for his sins, to provide a musical setting for, in “Naaraan.” But it must be confessed that his adaptation of the German libretto of “ Elijah ” is often the reverse of felicitous. Frequently two notes are given to one syllable where Mendelssohn carefully wrote a note to a syllable. Ia this way even the actual phrasing is sometimes altered, and many awkward passages are provided for the solo singers. The tenor recitative., “Ye people rend your hearts,” and the following air are special examples of this. In the former, too, Mr Bartholomew sets grammar at flat defiance by making l the tenor observe “ I therefore say to ‘ye.’ ’ Now that revisions of sacred texts are all the fashion, some capable scribe might do worse tban to undertake a revision of the English libretto of “ Elijah.”

PLUMBERS’ AND TINSMITHS’ WORK.

Messrs A. and T. Burt, Dunedin, have a magnificent display of everything connected with the plumbing and gasfitting trade. In the centre of their space, 46ft by 20ft, stands an octagonal sbow-case, 10ft high, containing water, gas, and steam fittings, some of which

are electro-plated. Around the case are grouped mediaeval lights for churches and gasaliers, the decorative work on which is very artistically done, birds, fern-leaves, flowers, and figures of various kinds being tastefully interwoven. There are seven turret bells, the largest weighing 70 4b, and two pyramids of lead and composition pipe, which has always been one of the specialties of the firm. Confectioners’ revolving lolly-pans and rollers, bakers’ paste rollers, a variety of lift and force pumps, corking and bottliug machines, brewers’ refrigerator?, spargers, fining machines, pumps, and mashers, gas and sluice valves, fire plugs aud hydrants, valve covers, combined steam engine and pump, ship and house closets, self-registering turnstile, gas-cooking and laundry 3toves, Archimedean, Boyle’s, and newest pattern ventilators, modern lift with patent life-gear attached these and a large number of other articles are amongst the exhibits, which are, taken altogether, one of the most remarkable collections of superior colonial workmanship seen at any Exhibition south of the Line. Indeed, other plumbers have been quite as loud in their praises as the general public. The firm of A. and T. Burt started in the Dunedin Octagon in 1862, in a shop 18ft by 15ft. At the present time their workshops and warehouses cover three quarters of an acre of ground. All the plant for the distillery at Dunedin was made by the firm, who have on several occasions sent brewers’ plants to Melbourne aud Sydney. There is no description of copper or brasswork which cannot be manufactured by the firm, who do a large trade with the vessels which come to this Colony. They have now 120 hands in their employ. Mr T. Ballinger, Willis-street, Welliagfcon, has a very fine display of gas-fittings, various descriptions of globes bemg so nicely arranged that a good effect is produced. Underneath there are two large baths, which are japanned, marbled, highly finished, aud hung with curtains. Roof ventilators for churches, chimney tops, folding meat safes, portable copper boiler, verandah reflector lamp with silvered glass, six centre flowers for ceiling ventilators, gas aud kerosene billiard lights, portable gas lamp with Christiana burner and globe, down-pipe, lead-headed nails, &c., are nicely arranged, and show to great advantage, especially at night-time. Mr Ballinger is a practical workman, and employs a good many men all the year round. The enlargement of his premises in Willis-street is a sufficient indication of the growth of hia business. Messrs J. aud T. Danks, Christchurch, have an excellent exhibit of brass work, double and single-action iron and brass pumps, gasfittings, bra-:s rails, ejectors for steam boilers, &3. Some handy fire-extiuguiahers, which can be carried about easily, are also shown. One of Messrs J. and T. Danks’ specialties is a patent gas-burner, which is now in use iu the Grand and Wain’s Hotels, and at Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell’s, Dunedin. It is claimed for this burner that a saving of at least 25 per cent is effected, whilst the volume of light i.s at the same time considerably increased* It is shown in connection with other burners, and by the patent meter gauges attached the exact quantity of gas which is being consumed is indicated. Those who have the burners in use are satisfied that they effect a saving of about 25 per cent iu the consumption of gas. Messrs Ballinger Bros, exhibit Archimedean ventilators for large buildings, Boyle’s patent ventilators, and ornamental flower ventilators, generally used over gas chandeliers. A sample of stained glass window is nicely executed, Messrs Ballinger Bros, being one of the few firms in the colonies whirh have the machinery for that description of work. Plunge baths, corrugated iron tanks, colonial ovens, portable meat safes, lead traps, lead-headed nails, spouting, down-pipe, &c., are included amongst the exhibits, which are creditable specimens of local workmanship. When Messrs Ballinger Bro 3. took over the business of the firm four years ago they did nearly all the work themselves. They now employ 20 hands.

Messrs S. Danks and Son, Branlon-street, Wellington, have not as yet placed their exhibits in the building, having been very busy with the gas-fittiDgs for the Exhibition and other works. At the invitation of Mr Danks, sen., our reporter paid a visit yesterday to the workshop, where a pair of highly-finished brass buncles, which are said to be the first of the kind made in Wellington, and which are intended for were shown to him. Amongst the exhibits, which will be placed in the building next week, are some very fine port, starboard, and anchor lamps, made of copper ; brass plugs of various kinds, for engines, gas, and water-works ; fire hydrants, hose couplings, copper directors for fire purposes, large deep well brass pumps, &c. The exhibits will form a valuable addition to that branch of the Exhibition. Mr M. P. Cameron, of the Wellington Tinware Factory, has a grand display of tinware and japanned goods. In the latter class are included Bhow canister*, treacle cans, bonnet boxes, slipper, hip, and sponge baths, umbrella stands, deed boxes, knife and spoon trays, the painting and decorating being done in the establishment, Mr Cameron having sent to England two years ago for a man specially acquainted with that class of work. In tinware, everything from a twenty-gallon railway milkean to a half pint pannikin are show, dairy utensils being, apparently, a specialty, The large cans, which are made with patent fastenings and brass mountings, are very strong. Queen Anne teapots and range kettles, with copper wells, are also shown. The posts and railings which enclose the exhibits are made of tin, and finished ac the workshop. In that particular line of goods it would be rather difficult to beat Mr Cameron’s exhibits. Mr T. Garland, Molesworth-street, Wellington, has a very good exhibit of japanned and tinned ware, consisting of hip. and sponge baths, treacle and golden syrup cans, boilers, tea and coffee pots, improved Etnas, coal scuttles, and a baady washstand suitable for offices. Everything is highly finished, aud the workmanship is very creditable. Mr F. J. Foothead, Newtown, shows some nice baths, tea and coffee canisters, coal scuttles, deed boxe3, tea pots, water cans, &c. This is another creditable exhibition.

SIXTH DAY—FRIDAY, AUGUST 7.

During the afternoon 466 persons visited the Exhibition. Mr Neville Barnett, of Auckland, gave his second organ recital, which was very much appreciated. The programme was as follows :—l. Concerto in B flat (a Andante Maestoso, b Allegro, c Adagio, d Allegro),

Handel ; 2. Allegro (from G minor Quartet), Spohr ; 3. Air and Variations (from the Septuor), Beethoven ; 4. Offertoire in D miiaor and major, Batiste ; 5. Andante in D, Edouard Silas ; 6. Offertoire in B minor, Batiste ; 7. Allegretto Biacevole in A, C. E. Stevens ; 8. Triumphal March in D, Lemaeas ; 9-10. Two Postlndea in B and E flat (repeated by special request), Wely ; 11. “God Save the Queen ” (with introduction variations), Adolphe Hesse. It has been a matter of surprise to many persons that Dr Demon ha** not contributed some electrical appliances to the Exhibition. It is probably due to the fact that it is only intended to show what can be done by colonials.

Mr Lezza, an Italian confectioner, has started the manufacture of lollies in the annexe where the pottery is exhibited.

AGRICTJLTT7RA.L MACHINERY.

The display in this department of the Exhibition is exceedingly good. There is a look of solidity and finished appearance about the various exhibits which has caused no little astonishment amongst visitors who have not had an opportunity of inspecting machinery of a similar kind for some years past. Mes3rs Reid and Gray, Dunedin, have a grand display of their special lines. The machines are nicely painted and lettered, whilst some of the ploughs are shown just as they came from the workmen’s hands. There are over 7000 double-furrow ploughs now in use, the following extract from the jurors’ report at the Melbourne Exhibition being a sufficient testimony as to their value : —“ In ploughs, there is one exhibit to which we wish to draw special attentioa as being the best, and that is the double-furrow of Reid and Gray, of Dunedin, New Zealand. In finish and construction it is far superior to any other.” They exhibit; a combined doublefurrow and subsoiler, made in such & way that the front wheel-holder is put as close into the plough as possible, a screw on the chain regulating the depth of the share as required. The double-furrow plough, fitted with s wivelcircular coulter.is welL adapted for ploughing rough land ; whilst the hillside plough appears to be light, durable, and of easy draught, the share being changed from right to left by a single lever, which at the same time puts the coulter iu proper position. The New Zealand twine binder, with Gray’s patent knotter and other improvements, is a very fine machine. It has the advantage over the imported article that duplicates of any. portions which may be broken can be obtained at any ot the branches of the firm or from their agents, thus saving a great deal of valuable time. A large quantity of colonial made twine has been used in these machines, of which there are now 150 in use.' At a reaper and binder contest at Oamaru, at which twelve machines competed, including all the leading American ones, Reid and Gray’s took second place. Chaff-cutter, force-feed seedsower, fitted with turnip attachment, chain harrows, grass, grain and manure drill, horsepower, &e., are exhibited, all reflecting very

great credit on the firm. vVhen Messrs Rek and Gray commenced business in Dunedin about fifteen years ago, they employed twenty hands. Now they give work all the yeai round to 250 men, and distribute £20,000 pei annum in wages. All the woodwork auc painting is done at the firm’s premises, as wel the iron and steel portions. What Messrs Reid and Gray are to Otago the firm of Messrs P. and D. Duncan, oi Christchurch, are to Canterbury, their implements having always been noted for then superior finish and the durable quality of the materials. They have a grand exhibit ol double and single-furrow ploughs, combined harrow and plough, hillside plough, combined double-furrow plough aud subsoiler, corn crusher, combined manure and seed drill, combined disc harrow and seed sower, disc harrow, cheese press, and curd mill. In 1883, at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Show, Messrs Duncan took the President’s Cup, ol 40 guineas, for the most points in the implement class. Their ploughs have generally been noted throughout the Colony for simplicity, durability and lightness of draught. Thousands of their ploughs are distributed throughout New Zealaud, and amongst the testimonials as to their excellence is one from the Hon W. Rolleston, and one from Mr J. E. Eountaine, manager for the Hon John Hall, at Hororata. In the double-furrow plough, with subsoiler combined, the lever for withdrawing the subsoiler from work is very simple aud effective. The three-furrow plough can be converted, if required, into a double furrow in a few minutes, so simple is its construction. There are no complicated parts, and the draught is very light. Messrs Duncan’s singlefurro'w plough, for ordinary farm work, obtained the gold medal at the Melbourne Exhibition. The one-way, or hill-side plough, is very suitable for hilly land, and well worth attention from farmers. The seed drill sows grain, grain and grass seed, or turnips and manure. Before Messrs Duncan commenced manufacturing them, there were large importations from America, which have now almost ceased, so far as Canterbury is concerned. The manure and turnip drill is specially adapted for this Colony, as the manures are not so finely prepared, though quite as good, as those imported from England. The machine constructed, by Messrs Duncan has much better appliances for stirring and delivering the manure, and is consequently better adapted for colonial farmers. Messrs Duncan, like most colonial firms, started in a small way, but they now employ from 75 to 100 hands all the year round. Messrs Andrews aud Beaven, another Christchurch firm, who devote their attention almost exclusively to the manufacture of chaffcutters of various kinds, horse-gears, corncrushers, and seed-cleaning machinery, have a very creditable show. The machines are made as simply as possible, whilst the gearings and castings are exceptionally strong. This firm have patented several improvements, and have sent consignments of their chaff-cutters to New Somh Wales, where they have found a ready sale. Patents have also been taken out in England as well as in the Australian Colonies for improvements iu corn-crushers, and arrangements have been made with a large firm in Melbourne to manufacture them, as the Victorian tariff is so prohibitive; but the machines are exported to New South Wales, and one of them has actually been sent to England. It is claimed for the machinery exhibited by Messrs Andrews and Beaven

' that it is much stronger and more durable than anything of the kind imported. The chaff-cutter is so constructed that the straw is kept firm against the knives, which keep a sharp edge whilst 100 bags of chaff are being cut. This is effected by corrugating the front of the mouth of the machine, which is said to be capable of cutting one bag of chaff in a minute. By attaching the elevator the labor of one man can be saved, and the chaff cm be cut no matter how high the wind may be. The horse gear appears to very strong, and being fitted with a spring buffer, no strain can be thrown on the cogs of the wheels through any sudden jerking or pulling of the horses. Mr Andrews, who has been manufacturing the class of machines exhibited for twenty years, claims to have been the first to put elevators to chaffcutters in England. Mr Beaven, the other partner, appears to be an active, pushing man of business, which is evidenced by the way he has been forcing the manufactures of his firm in the Australian Colonies. The New Zealand Implement Company, Dunedin, of which Messrs T. Begg and W.Wilkinson are the managers, exhibit a patent central-feed seed sower aud manure distributor. Through tubes in a central cupper the grain or seed is carried by a screw conveyor to each end, and in its motion the grain or seed falls through perforations, equal distances apart in the tubes, on to the land with great regularity, and in the required quantity that is wanted to be sown. To regulate the quantities a screw or lever is fixed a 1; the end of the tubes to alter the size of the perforations. Without extra attachments the machine can sow wheat, oats, gra.33 seed, &c., or it can be used as an artificial manure distributor. Self-locking steel fencing standards are placed behind this machine. Though the first cost is rather more, a great saving of time aud labor is effected by using these standards, and it is claimed that a fence can be put up more cheaply and expeditiously than under any other method, in consequence of the great saving of time and labor effected. Iu the South Island considerable quantities of fencing have been done by this process. It is certainly very simple, and appears durable. The flexible harrow is another exhibit of the Company, over 1000 oE which are now in usa in the Colony. Each tooth does iits work independently of the others, and the harrow can be taken to pieces iu ten or fifteen minutes. A patent washing machine is also shown, its construction being quite simple. Mr David Murray, of Wanganui, exhibits a a very strong wool press which is much used on the West Coast. A double cheese press is also shown by the same exhibitor. Messrs Swan and Koerstz, of Waverley, exhibit another strong wool press. Messrs Wallace aud Hotham, of Otahuhu, Auckland, exhibit a very nicely constructed cultivator, suitable for potatoes, corn, carrots, beet, and other drill crops. The Acme Barbed Wire Company, Timaru, show ireven different kinds of wice and patent implements for barbing plain wire, which are as simple as thay are ingenious. The Comploys 30 hands, and is manufacturing large quantities of barbed wire, having, in addition to other orders, obtained the contract for supplying the Government this year.

Seventh Day—Satubday, August 8.

The attendance daring the afternoon was about 1200, being considerably more than on any other day since the opening, Sir Julius Yogel and most of the members of both Houses attended, aud made a careful inspection of the various departments, the Art Gallery, Public Works Department’s collection of New Zealand timbers, and the carriages and buggies commg in for a very large share of attention. The excursion train from the Wairarapa brought down a large number of country visitors, who appeared much interested in the Exhibition, Mr King’s string band enlivened the building during the afternoon with some excellent selections. In the evening there was a tremendous rush of people to the building. Crowds congregated outside, and many of the visitors had to wait for a quarter of an hour before they could reach the interior. At a quarter-past 8 o’clock an order was given at the office not to sell any more tickets, the interior of the main building, the concert hall, and St. George’s Hall being filled with visitors. There was a repetition, though on a smaller scale, of the crushing which took place on the opening day. A barrier which was thrown across the arched entrance to the concert hall w»3 broken dowD, Constable Miilton, who was etationed close by, receiving one or two nasty bruises in his endeavors to save it from destruction. The Oamaru Band proved the great attraction. Those who were not fortunate enough to procure seats gradually scattered about the building, and inspected the f various exhibits. It was not known what number had paid for admission, but it was generally thougnt it would be about 3000. Adding the season tickets aud complimentary season tickets (families being admitted by the latter) it is probable that about 4.000 persons must have gone to the Exhibition during the evening. Every available space was thronged, the annexes being almost as closely packed as the main entrance near the conceit hail. _ • Mr Hill had four of his men making hats, Mr Bernasconi kept his interesting machine going, Messrs Lyon and Blair had two youDg ladies at work at the American type-writer, the Government Printing Office railway ticket printing machine and Messrs Bock and Cousin’s treadle machine were printing away, whilst various exhibitors explained to visitors the nature aud quality of their goods, Mr Efrost being particularly conspicuous with his rubber stamps. The night was passed very agreeably, and there was no bitch beyond what was caused by the undue crushing in the early part of the evening. In addition to the police force, Sergeant Treanor and eighteen of the Armed Couttabulary paraded the building, whilst Detective-Inspector Browne and , several men belonging to that department kept a watchful eye over the exhibits and some of the visitors.

the band contest. The Band contest, which has been looked forward to with eager a.r>ticipation, commenced on Saturday evening with a performance by the Oamaru Band, under the direction of Mr George Jones. This fine band numbers twenty-seven performers ; but in terms of the competition only twenty could take part. They played a well-arranged selection from Wagner’s romantic opera, “Tannhseuser ,

another from Meyerbeer’s popular opera, “ Les Huguenots”—the latter as a test piece ; also, Rossini's celebrated overture to “Seroiramide,” a selection from Verdi's operatic works, and another from Spohr’s superb oratorio, “ The Last Judgment.” All were most admirably played, and the universal verdict seemed to be that nothing superior, if -indeed equal, to the performance int o a way of brass band playing bad yet been heard in Wellington. It has been suggested to ua that it would give a somewhat unfair advantage to the contestants who are to follow if we were to give an analytical criticism of the details of execution. We therefore refrain from doing so, but we may mention that of the pieces given, perhaps the most meritorious and enjoyable of all wa3 the selection from Spohr’s “.Last Judgment,” the sweetness,softness, and. expression with which the famous quartet “Ble3t are the departed ” was interpreted, beiDg specially rsmarkable. It is to be hoped that this will be. repeated, but the whole programme was excellently chosen, and will be very hard to beat by the other bands. The test of sight-reading was a march written by the judge, Mr Mackintosh, with the express view of proving the band’s capacity in the various features of wind-instrument practice, such as double-tonguing, unison shakes, chromatic progressions, &c., also their quickness and readiness in reading by interpolating some sudden and unexpected pauses in peculiar situations. The band, however, passed the ordeal triumphantly, and both they and their able and enthusiastic conductor, Mr Jone 3, may be cordially congratulated on their opening performance. One thing struck us as specially praiseworthy, and that was their very orderly and soldiery demeanour manifested in the way they took up their positions, and in their thorough readiness to commence at once without any preliminary tuning. Not a sound was heard from any of the instruments save that actually written down in the scores from which they played. This was much appreciated by the audience. •

WOOL, SEEDS, FLAX, HOPE, &c. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company’s stall presents a very attractive appearance, and the manner in which the various exhibits have been laid out, together with the taste displayed in embellishing the section, reflects great credit on those who superintended the work. The Company could very easily have occupied much greater space that what has been allotted to them, but nevertheless the staple products of the Colony are well represented. In wool the Company display, in a large glass case, some splendid fleeces (as shorn) from pure types of sheep. There are, first of all, two Lincoln fleeces—one from an eight-tooth ram, which weighs 231 b and is the growth of only eleven months ; and another from a six-tooth ewe, weighing 211 b. Both of these exhibits are from the New Zealand and Australian Land Contpany’a flock, and it would be difficult to excel them in character and breeding. Two choice fleeces from English Leicesters (ram and ewe) from sheep of the celebrated flock of Mr P. C. Threlkeld, FlaxtoD, Canterbury, come next. In merinos, fleeces of sheep belonging to the following runholders are shown:—Messrs R. Campbell and Son, Sir John Hall, and Joseph Pearson. All are in good order, and display great quality of breeding. In the same case appears an exhibit of special interest to visitors from Wellington country districts, comprising samples of wool from the well-known flock of Bomney Marßh sheep, the property of Mr A. Matthews, Western Lake, Wairarapa. The samples are from rams and ewe 3, aleo ram and ewe hoggets which have taken the leading prizes in their representative classes at the Wairarapa East aud West Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society’s Show. The wool is partly washed, and demonstrates conclusively the value of Mr Matthews’ flock. An entire bale of scoured merino wool, snow white, is a feature of the exhibit, and is much admired. This wool is taken from sheep which have secured first prizes at Southern shows, and have beeu bred on Messrs R. Campbell and Son’s Otago property. A corner case contains greasy halfbred and quarter-bred wools, also scouted combing and clothing merino, and scoured half-bred and quarter-bred wools from different parts of the Colony. In the same case, splendid samples of hops, flax and malt from Nelson and Canterbury districts, also tobacco grown in the Wairarapa, are shown. • Two neat little cases are suspended on one aide of the section, and show wool in the various grades, qualities, and length of staple. One case contains thirty to forty samples of merino wools, and the other presents to the visitor a variety of long wools, namely, Lincolns and Leicesters, and the different crosses with the merino, fall descriptive particulars being annexed. The grain exhibits are exceptionally good. Amongst many others may be noticed a magnificent sample of Tuscan wheat, large and even grained, giown by Mr Robert Dailey, Swannanoa, Canterbury,‘,the weight per bushel reaching 681 b. A splendid sample of velvet chaff wheat, grown by T. and A. Paterson Ngapara, North Otago, 671 b per bushel ; and a choice 'sample of white velvet wheat from Lake Wakatipu, grown by Messrs Boyes Bros., weight 641 b per bushel, demonstrating the high fertility of some of the land in the neighborhood of Queenstown. There is a really good sample of pearl wheat grown by Mr E. Goodrich, Halswell, Canterbury ; weight, 66Jlb. In oats, a bag of bright plump potato, grown by Mr J. R. Campbell, of Seuthbridge, weighing 511 b per bushel, and a grand sample of Canadian, from Messrs C. and J. M. Todd's farm, at Teaneraki, North Ota o, weight 51Jlb per bushel, are particularly noticeable. In barley, a sample grown by Mr H. M. Lee, of Southbridge, is worthy of notice, weight 591 b ; but the palm of superiority must he awarded to the sample of Chevalier barley grown near Lake Wakatipu by Mr J. Braden, weighing 59-llb per bushel. There iB a sample of New Zealand grown white clover seed, from the farm of Mr J. H. Macpberson, Lake Side, Canterbury, and a fine selection of peas, beans, oatmeal, flour, &c. Visitors to the Exhibitior will be well repaid if tney thoroughly examine every sample of produce in this section ; and after all, these pioducts are the backbone of the Colony, and upon which it£ future prosperity must mainly rest. The Company has now thirty branches, with innumerable sub-agencies, in different parti throughout the world. In addition to the head office in London, there are branches a 1 San Francisco, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Rockhampton, Launceston anc Fiji. The capital of the Company is set dowi at £3, 500,000, and its reserve fund amounts

to £250,000. It is one of the most flourishing companies in the Australasian group. Its operations are conducted on a scale of great magnitude, and it has always been fortunate in securing the services of capable and energetic officers. The 'New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, of Canterbury, ehowa some fine specimens of Oregon wheat, Canadian and tawney oats, barley, rye-grass, goose-grass, hair-grass, timothy, cocksfoot, beans, pea 3, carrot, marigold, linseed rape and other seeds. Messrs Duncan and Son, seedsmen and nurserymen, Christchurch, have a good selection of agricultural seeds, field seeds, and grass seeds, grown in Canterbury, and suitable for the various districts in the North Island. A nice collection of blight-proof apple trees is exhibited, some apples grown on the Lord Wolseley blight-proof stock, three years old, being also shown. They are very fine dessert fruit. Messrs Duncan exported some of these stocks to Melbourne and Sydney, and in Auckland they have had a large sale. A very nice case, tastefully arranged, is shown, but not for competition, containing 92 varieties of agricultural, field, and garden seeds, a key being placed on th 9 top, so that visitors can find out the names of the various seeds. The case is very ingeniously constructed. Messrs Nimmo and Blair, seedemen, Dunedin, have a very extensive display of grassseeds, vegetable seeds, and flower seeds. Specimens of the various grasses in the stalk, nicely mounted on cardboard, are also shown. Mr Wm. Evans, Timaru, exhibits some excellent samples of Tuscan, violet, and red-chaff wheat ; also Cauadian oats.

Messrs R. Wilkin and Co, seedsmen, Christchurch, have sent up a handsome case, containing various kinds of farming, agricultural, garden, and field seeds. Some bottles with ergot, dock, and other seeds of farm and garden ports are exhibited, which are rather a novelty, but must have an educational tendency. Messrs Hale, Thorp, and Co., of the Steam Rope and Twine Works, Christchurch, have a very fine display of Manilla, New Zealand flax, halyard, and tarred hemp ropes lead lines, sash cords, spun yarn, hemp binder, aud New Zealand flax binder twine, plough Imes, fishing and garden lines, &c. All are turned out in very good order. The Auckland Fibre Manufacturing Company have a good sliow of Manilla, coir, bolt, and lanyard ropes, binder twine, coir matting, thatching yarns, &c. Everything appears to be well manufactured. This Company is now doing a large business. Messrs M. Donaghuy and Co., Dunedin, have a splendid exhibit of Manilla and New Zealand flax rope, Manilla water laid rope, and binding twine of various descriptions. Mr E. Moore, of Waipawa, has a nice display of clothes and plough line 3, coil rope, and fire-e3cape lines, with rffigs attached. Mr J. C. Andrews, Rangiora, has a nice case of thin ropes, fishing lines, &c.

CARRIAGES AND BUGGIES. There is an excellent and varied collection of exhibits in the carriage department, the North and South Island beiDg about equally represented. They have been placed in the custody of Mr W. T. Leavers, coachbuilder, Vivian-street, who fitted up and nicely arranged them. Most of the visitors to the Exhibition have closely scrutinised them. Messrs Cousins and Atkin, of Auckland, have one remarkable exhibit in this department, consisting of a five-glass landau. The framework, or body of the landau, is made entirely from New Zealand timbers, and everything connected with it has been manufactured on the firm’s premises. So attractive do the various combinations appear, that it has been a matter of some difficulty to convince many visitors that only varnish, and not paint, has been used. The trimmings are very" luxurious. The design is original, and the landau contains many novelties and improvements. The ironwork is on a par with the other portions. The only fault, if fault it be, is that the wheels are rather far apart to sustain the weight of such a vehicle. That may, however, be considered more the objection of the onlooker than the tradesman. The front carriage is of solid iron, having tubular king-bolt an I platform springs, and iron whifflfcrees, with Atkins’ patent ceotripedal brake, which is applied at the fore instead of the hind wheel. The other improvements are described as “lining protecting, automatic folding front, head and automatic lights and Venetians, Elliot concavex boot and neck, with side elliptic and cee springs at back.” The tax-cart exhibited by the firm is also made of New Zealand timber. It is neat in appearance, and light in construction. Messrs Cousins and Atkins, who started in business twenty years ago, claim that the indigenous woods are quite sound after a certain term of years, whilst the English and American timbers will go to dust, and that spokes made of ti-tree last longer than the best imported hickory. A nice ease, containing hubs, spokes, bands, &c., completes the exhibits sent down by the firm, who now employ fifty hands, and execute every description of work, from a common dray to the luxurious landau, such as that shown at the Exhibition. It is probable that the latter will be sent to the Colonial Exhibition to be held in London. Messrs Rouse and Hurrell, Wellington— Dogcart, fitted with best lancewood shafts and Collins’ patent axle ; takes the draught direct from the axle, aud, therefore, puts no unnecessary strain on the springs. The frame is made of ash, with cedar and kauri panels, the whole being strongly built and nicely trimmed in cloth. A reversible waggonette is exhibited by the same firm, the fore-carriage being made of solid wrought iron, and hung on elliptic springs, with Collins’ patent axle and brake. The waggonette, which is fitted with pole and shafts, is shown in the wood and iron, without either paint or varnish. The frame is made of ash, with cedar panels, the hubs and spokes being very strong. Mr M. Bohan, Wellington—Queen Anne phaeton and single-seated buggy, hung on elliptic springs, fitted with ratchet brake and movable back seat, and trimmed in leather. Both exhibits are strongly built and profusely painted Mr J. Fitchett, Wordsworth-street, Wellington—Spring market cart, Sited with cushion and lamps, the woods being nicely lined and varnished. This is the only exhibit of that kind shown. It is a remarkably good one, and well worthy of a place amongst the carriages and bnggies. Messrs Muir and Dixon, Masterton—- ' Double-seated commercial buggy, fitted with

brake, strongly built, suitable for rough and hilly country, nicely painted, trimmed in leather, and carpeted. A very creditable exhibit.

Mr D. Cameron, Greytown—Doable buggy, hung on elliptic springs, with patent wheels. For a country exhibit the painting is remarkably good, and the buggy is altogether nicely finished.

Mr Balm, Nelson Family waggonette, fitted with roller-brake, hung on elliptic springs, nicely trimmed in cloth, suitable for rough country roads—a very durable article. Mr Balm also exhibits an American trotting sulky, mounted on elliptic springs, with patent axles and movable seats.

Messrs Elmsly and Curlett, Christchurch — Village pony cart, trimmed in best English leather, with movable seats, the wood being only varnished. It is mounted on grasshoppersprings, with Collins’ patent axle and lancewood shafts, the whole being a very handsome turn-out. The same firm exhibits a doubleseated buggy, with an improved spring break, fitted on evener bars, so as to equalise the pressure on the springs. The work is nicely finished, and the buggy appears very serviceable.

Mr A. G. Howland, Christchurch—Family waggonette, fitted with brake, pole, and shafts, hung on evener bars. An Abbott’s buggy is als,» exhibited by the same maker. It is fitted with a framed seat, which gives it a light appearance, and is trimmed in leather. Both exhibits are, as might be expected from such an experienced coachbuilder, very creditable. W. Moor and Co., Christchurch—Lady’s Phaeton, trimmed in leather, hung on elliptic springs, and very neatly trimmed in leather. The same firm exhibits a single-seated buggy, hung on elliptic springs, and trimmed in leather. At the Melbourne Exhibition, the builders took the prize for circular-fronted brougham. The lady’s phaeton has been much admired.

Messrs Doon and Stevens, Christchurch — Double-seated buggy, hung on three springs, with mail patent axles and brake, hung on evener bars, trimmed in leather, with apron for rough weather. The buggy is nicely painted, and a very good portrait of King Tawhiao is nicely painted on the panels. Messrs J. and W. Stewart, Dunedin-Single-seated buggy, hung on four springs, with side bars, trimmed in cloth, nicely painted, and well finished throughout. Mr M. Sinclair, Dunedin—Four-wheeled dog-cart, with double-action brake and pole, hung on elliptic springs, the fore-carriage being of solid wrought iron, with Sinclair’s patent reversible seat—a very ingeniously constructed affair. It is nicely trimmed in leather, and exceedingly well finished. Messrs Robin and Co., Dunedin—English family waggonette, hung on elliptic and cross springs, fitted with Collins’ patent axle, double-action brake, and pole, with solid wrought iron fore-carriage, and nicely trimmed in leather.

Messrs W. Langdown and Co., of the Steam Wood Bending and Wheel Factory, Christchurch, have a very fine display of coachbuilders’ materials, consisting of light and heavy wheels, hubs, spokes, rims, shafts, rails, and bent timber of all descriptions. The framework of a Newport Pagnall cart, showing the quality of work which can be made from New Zealand timbers, is also exhibited. Messrs Langdown and Co., Christchurch, and Messrs Cousins and Atkins, Auckland, have clearly demonstrated by their exhibits that the time for importing such large quantities of coachbuilder’s materials must be passing away. All those engaged in the trade ought to inspect these exhibits. TILE, POTTERY, BRICKS, &c.

The exhibits in this class are exceedingly good. The drain tiles produced in Wellington, the pottery in Canterbury, and the floor tiles and fire-bricks in Auckland, have excited general surprise. Mr G. Nor bury, of Taranaki-street, Wellington, has a large show of various descriptions of tiles in 3ft lengths. There is a variety of bends and junctions of every shape and form, syphon and stench traps, chimney tops of various patterns, which are largely used in Wellington, and are said to be almost infallible smoke-cures, channel bricks for sidewalks, garden borders, agricultural tiles, building bricks, &c, all of which are smooth and well glazed. Mr Norbury, who has the largest display of this class of goods, took second prize at the Melbourne Exhibition of 1881, for drainage pipes. The goods which he now exhibits were made of ordinary material, and not for show purposes. The whole of the exhibits are remarkable for uniformity of color. The pipes range from 3in to 18in in diameter. Mr Norbury states chat the clay to be found In Wellington is quite as good as that near Edinburgh, where he worked previous to coming to the Colony. He keeps two steam engines going, and employs, on an average, twenty men and boys. Messrs Ford and Ogden, of Malvern Hills, 45 miles from Christchurch, have -a large display of drain-pipes, in 3ft lengths, and ranging from 3in to 21in in diameter, with suitable stench-trap bends. All are made of fire-clay and ganister, the latter being a rare and valuable commodity for such purposes Ther6 are fire-bricks of every description, and for every purpose. A large variety of chimneytops, in terracotta, from Ift 9in to 6£fc in length, are fine specimens. Pickle jars of every size are shown, these being a specialty of the firm, who supply large quantities to pickle manufacturers. Bread, butter, and honey jars in various sizes are displayed. In garden borders, there are some nice varieties, and of various shapes, in terracotta. There is a very fine collection of flower-pots, cast in plaster of paris moulds, the general run being made of what is technically termed spun clay. Pig-troughs, of different sizes, which must be a great improvement on the old wooden ones, and gutter tiles, are also exhibited. There are various other articles, all being turned out in the beat style of workmanship. Messrs Austin, Kirk, and Co., Christchurch, have an excellent collection of drain pipes of all kinds. There are filters, from, those in ordinary use up to 36 gallons, suitable for aerated-water factories. In terracotta there are some very nice patterns in vases, also string-courses and window-beads, suitable for brick buildings. The pottery includes bread and butter jars, teapots,. pie-dishes, bowls, water-bottles, bird-iountains, closetpans and traps, urinals, jars for spirits cased in wicker, flower-pots, &c. There are fire-bricks of all kinds for ranges, stable bricks, and bricks suitable for buildings. In suspender flower-pots there are

some naat and artistic designs. The exhibits, as a vp hole, are highly creditable. Messrs P. Hutson and 00. are the Wellington agents for Messrs Austin, Kirk and Co., and also for Messrs Ford and Ogden.

The Springfield Coal and Pottery Company show some very good drain and junction pipes. The fire-bricks are a fine sample, and contain 78 per cent of silica. The floor tiles and malt kiln tiles are also particularly well finished. The Company at one time employed 200 men, but the importations from Europe have been hard to fight against. The Company took the gold medal at the Christchurch Exhibition. Their display here is an excellent one.

Mr Luke Adams, of Sydenham, near Christchurch, has sent a magnificent collection of almost everything in the pottery line. His plaques, some of which are tastefully decorated and arranged, have been much admired. The exhibits sent by Mr Adams are so varied that it is almost unnecessary to enumerate them. But no visitor ought to fail to inspect them. They are situated on the right-hand side of the annexe where the pottery, tiles, &c., are exhibited. Those who have afiy doubts about the capabilities of New Zealand clay for the finer class of work will be able to satisfy themselves that it is possible to get a great deal of what is in daily use without going outside the Colony. The collection is so creditable that it will be a pity if it is not sent to the Colonial Exhibition in London. Another remarkable collection is that of Mr George Boyd, of the Newtown Pottery, near Auckland, whose exhibits have been very favorably commented on by visitors. The tiles are of very superior quality, and some of those made by Mr Boyd are now in use at the Auckland railway Btation, and are suitable for halls or passages. The designs in vases are very pretty, the pedestals being equally well finished. Mr Boyd appears to be something more than a mere tradesman ; be must be man of artistic perceptions. His collection is well worth a visit.

The New Zealand Iron and Steel Company, Onehunga, exhibits mufflers for assaying gold, which are said to be the first manufactured in the Colony. A furnace bosh, similar to that made for the Auckland Freezing Company, is also shown. Samples of the fire-clay obtained from the Tapuri Coal Company, of very superior quality, is also exhibited, together with fire-bricks, register grate bricks, &c. All appear to be of exceedingly good quality. Messrs J. Wilson and Co., Auckland, exhibit some specimens of concrete made from their hydraulic lime and scoria. The material appears to be of the very best kind.

EIGHTH DAY—MONDAY, AUG. 10. Monday will be remarkable for the fact that 748 persons went to the Exhibition in the afternoon, and 748 during the evening. In the afternoon £2O 14s 6d was obtained ; in the evening only £24 6s 3d, although 2s 6d was charged for admission, whilst only Is was charged during the daytime. This will tend to show the use made of the complimentary season tickets, which admit the holders and their families, ranging from two to eight persons. From Saturday to Saturday the following were the tallies of visitors to the Exhibition :

Saturday (opening day) ... 5,774 Monday ... ... ... 668 Tuesday ... ... ... 413 Wednesday ... ... ... 2,010 Thursday ... ... ... 1,502 Friday ... ... ... 466 Saturday ... ... ... 4,469 15,302 As tickets are sold at the stationers’ shops, the exact amount taken cannot be ascertained. The Oamaru Bind gave another concert on Monday night, which was very much enjoyed by the visitors, most of whom remained in the concert hall till the close. By the excursion train on Saturday 250 persons came from th >Wairarapa, the greater portion visiting the Exhibition. The 11.15 p.m. train took back no less than 700 persons. During the first week about 1000 persons dined at the refreshment room, and several thousands partook of refreshments. Mr Huxley has purchased all the Kaiapoi tweeds and coatings at the Exhibition, Messrs Wilson and Richardson have bought the carpets, and somebody else has bought all Messrs Bowron Bros.’ leather exhibits. Various articles of furniture and other goods have been sold. These will not, of course, be removed till the close of the Exhibition.

Four additional doors will be made in the building, so as to obviate anything in the shape of a panic, should an accident of any kind occur, which is rather unlikely, as watchmen are kept in the building day and night. Two large doors were made on Monday close to the ticket office.

In addition to the usual force of police, 24 A.C.’s, under Sergeant McKeown, paraded at the Exhibition Monday night. Everything was very quiet and orderly.

PRESERVED MEAT AND FISH.. The Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company occupies a prominent position at the juncture of the passages leading to the refreshment room and the ladies’ cloak room. This large and important local enterprise has provided exhibits worthy of itself, and is eminently representative in all its stages of the great branch of colonial industry and material prosperity to which it belongs. In the centre of the space occupied (about 150 square feet) hangs a frozen sheep (changed daily), which is an object of great interest, especially to country visitors, and is a forcible reminder of the large addition to the value of one of the Colony’s sources of wealth which has been secured by the initiation and continuance of the frozen meat trade—an addition which, despite the downfall of tallow, and the irregularity in wool, means several shillings per head on every flock in the Colony. _ The Gear Meat Company has been largely instrumental in giving this trade stability, and is now exporting over 100,000 sheep annually to the London market, of a total weight of nearly 7,000,0001 b. This quantity, large _as it is, will be greatly increased when the duplicate machinery for the Company’s freezing hulk Jubilee has been received from England, in about a month s time. On either side of the entrance to the enclosure containing the sheep stand two casks of tallow, 7cwt each, one of best beef and one of best mutton, each surmounted by symmetrical shapes composed of the respective kinds of tallow

moulded into barrel and pinnacle forms. This tallow stands at the top of the list in the London market, whither the Cotnpauy ships about 1500 tons per annum. On the left side of the enclosure is a large stand taken up with a splendid stock of round 61b tins of preserved meats, as prepared for the British Admiralty, and by a smaller stack of 4lb tins of ox tongues and other specialties of the Company’s manufacture. These, however, by no means exhaust the Company’s exhibit of samples of preserved meats, as on a larger stand on the right hand side of tbe enclosure, as well as on shelves behind, are piled in varying and massive stacks and circles a bewildering variety of tins of all sizes, containing every conceivable dish that herd or flock can supply, and that the most modern appliances superintended by preserving skill are able to can. In preserved meats alone the Company puts up thirty-three different varieties in tins, from 11b to 81b weight, and its output is greater than that of any other meat preservers in the Colony. On the right hand stand a stack of sample tins of soup, for which the Company is famed, and of which it manufactures over a dozen kinds, is to be found. Its brand for meats and soups commands a sale far in excess o( output, and in Australasia and Great Britain especially holds a prominent position. . The Company is under contract to the British Admiralty, to whom it supplies about 300 tons annually, and it also provides for the colonial requirements of the French Government and of the German Navy to the extent of about 200 ton 3 more. Kilo-sized tins for the Continental market are made in this Colony by the Company alone, and it is the only exhibitor of pyramid cans of compressed meat, by means of which it will be able to compete successfully with the American packers. For this purpose the latest American machinery has been obtained, and the output of this shape of can will be greatly increased in the immediate future. For its exhibit at the Antwerp Exhibition this year the Company was awarded the prize as recently as last July. The Gear Company also shows in this section samples of preserved game and fish, novelties which will be proceeded with if sufficient inducement offers. The game is represented by jugged hare and venison, the fish by all the choicest varieties found in these waters. At the back of the exhibit are shown smoked ox and sheep tongues, and, arranged in pyramidal form, tierces, barrels, and kegs of corn beef, as supplied to the Admiralty, London, Australia, and Fiji, while below is a sample tierce open for inspection. The last shipment to London realised the highest price ever obtained for corned beef from this port. The Company is under contract for supply of this also to the Admiralty, and its output is over 750,0001 b a year. In the front of the right-hand stand are shown the less important, but not less interesting products of the Company’s works, viz., sample bottles of neatsfoot and trotter oil, of which over 1000 gallons is annually produced ; a sample case of three varieties of bonedust, which is ground down to the extent of 250 tons per annum ; and hoops, horns, and shankbones, which in bulk all find a ready and satisfactory sale in the London market. The Company’s slaughtering and tallow-rendering works occupy a large space of ground at Petone, whither its meat-preserving works (which are cramped for room in town, will also shortly be removed, and erected on an extensive scale, with the most modem plant. There, too, the freezing hulk Jubilee takes on board, at the Company’s wharf* mutton and beef for freezing, and is thence towed as required alongside the ocean-going steamers for transhipment of her load from her freezing chambers into those of the carrying vessel, thus precluding all chance of even an approach towards thawing. The Company alone in New Zealand possesses this unique advantage in handling the frozen meat. The Company has a nominal capital of £IOO,OOO, of which £46,000 is paid up. It has paid dividends half-yearly since its initation in November, 1883, of not less than 10 per cent., and has a leserve fund of £IOOO. It employs several hundred persons, and uses about fifty horses in its retail business. A large retail business is done in Wellington, where the business was first started in 1840. The Wellington Meat Preserving and Refrigerating Company has a very fine display of preserved meats, soups, tallow, and corned beef in casks. The soups include mock turtle, vermicelli, oxtail, macaroni, vegetahle, gravy, mulligatawny, Scotch broth, kidney, gravy, and other kinds. In tinned meats there are boiled beef and mutton, corned beef, rissoles, tripe, staffed sheeps’ hearts, curried chops, Epping pork sausages, brawn, &c. The Company is doing a very large retail and export trade, and bids fair to become one of the most important in the Colony. Last year the Company slaughtered 3400 cattle, 30 :0 sheep, 2900 lambs, 500 calves, and 2000 pigs. The exports consisted of 1300 casks, representing 500 tons of tallow ; 4500 cases of preserved meats, and 430 casks of corned beef. The exhibit of Messrs J. Kitchen and Sons was made from tallow purchased from the Company, and the meats and soups used in the luncheon room if the Exhibition are manufactured |by the Company, the soups being made by a person who took the gold medals at the Sydney aud Melbourne Exhibitions. Tbe Company, though not yet two years in existence, employs 100 hands, and is now slaughtering 300 sheep per day for freezing purposes. Messrs R. and W. Hellaby, Auckland, have a nicely arranged exhibit of their meats and soups, consisting of twenty-one different varieties, embracing boiled, corned, roast and spiced beef ; boiled, corned and roast mutton ; beef, pork and meat sausages ; oyster, ox-tail, mock turtle and gravy soups ; sheep’s tongues, brawn, tripe, mince, ox cheek, stewed ox cheek, pig’s feet, &c. Messrs Hellaby have been engaged in the preserving trade four or five years, and employ a large number of hands. The demand for their meats and soups is so great that they cannot keep pace with it.

Mr Nicholas Fernando 3, Wellington, has a nice exhibit of boiled fish in tins, consisting of warehou, butterfish, hapuka, moki, schapper, kawhia (or New Zealand salmon), and herrings. The fish has been prepared by Mr Fernandos, who has preserving works at Porirua. He employs forty men at fishiug, preserving, and distributing the fish. Nine years ago, when he started in business, he did all his o.vn work, without any assistance. Messrs Thomson Bros., of the Pacific Packing Company, Port Chalmers, have a cone of preserved fish, including about 13 different varieties, consisting of harike, soles, crayfish, cockles, oysters, cod, hapuka, lobster, Otago chicks, haddocks, and skates. The fißh is pre*

pared in different ways in lib and 21b tins, ; some varieties being kippered and salted, the others being tinned fish. Messrs Masefield and Sons, Kaipara, have a nice display of the celebrated New Zealand tinned mullet. Four fiibing boats are employed regularly in this iudustrv, . i.he fi3h being found in unlimited quantities. Four hundred dozen are preserved every week, seventeen hands being employed in the canning factory and five in -tbo tinsmith s shop. Before Messrs Masefield and Sons (who are the only -firm engaged iQ tinning the mullet) started, their manager, Mr Galbraith, went through the principal canning factories in Oregon ; so that the firm were able to commence well without having to pay dearly for their experience, like ■so many" who have gone into different branches of colonial industry. The Picton Fish Curing Company an exhibit of herrings in cases and inllb to 61b tins. LEATHER, SADDLERY, BOOTS, AND SHOES.

LEATHER. The Ngahauranga Tannery, which is said to be the largest in the Colony, has a long case, about 10ft high, with sliding glass doors, in which are exhibited nearly every description of leather used by saddlers and shoemakers. Mr Alfred Tyer turned out last year 45,000 side 3 of leather and 275,000 calf, pig, goat skins and basils. Out of that number 14,566 sides were sold to Wellington manufactures. The harness leather, belting, sole leather, kip, and stained goods aro equal to anything that can be imported or turned out in the Colony, and possess this merit, that they are not got up expressly for show, but are a fair sample of what are sent out of the works daily, which are taxed to their utmost to supply the orders from all parts of N ew Zealand —so much so that Mr Tyer is about enlarging the plant to the extent of 20 pits, in order to keep pace with the requirements of the trade. The calfskins tanned with birch bark are a special feature, and show to what extent our natural products can be utilised. Mr Tyer is putting up mills so as to use bireb bark for tanning all upper leathers, which, from the almost nnexhaustible supply of birch bark in the Wellington district, will open up another very •important industry. Six hundred and fifty tons of bark are used annually, so that if the local bark can be utilised to advantage, as Mr Tyer is confident it can, it will mean keeping a large amount of money in this district. About 5000 sacks of lime and 1000 tons of coal are used every year at the tannery, where there are no less than 246 soak pits. This industry, which is now of such importance to the whole district, was started in a small way, and has grown larger year by year. Mr Tyer is a believer in other local manufactures as well as his own. Whatever can be procured with advantage gets the preference at this tannery. Messrs Bowron Brothers, Woolston, near Christchurch, exhibit a very nice collection of white skivers for bottles, roans and skivers for shoemakers, bookbinders’ leathers, hatters’ leathers, furniture roans, chamois leather, and a special line of bronzed skins. Fifty different ■kinds of leather, in varied colors, are shown. The exhibit is a highly creditable one. Messrs Bowron Bros, have only been manufacturing a few years, but their business is gradually increasing, and their goods find a ready sale. Messrs Ligbtband, Allan, and Co., the wellknown boot manufacturers, have a large tannery, photographs of which are shown near their extensive show-case, at the rear of which they have a large show of upper aud sole leather, of various kinds. There is one piece of calf, tanned with black birch, which deserves to be specially mentioned. A large boot manufacturer states that in all his experience he never came across a finer sample of leather. There is also a grand exhibit of sole leather, as stiff as a deal board, and quite equal to anything that it is possible to import. Samples of rnsset ca’f, black grain, stained "bag, colonial oalf, legging, and split and kip leather are also shown. In saddlers’ goods there is a collection of black harness, brown harness, and basiL. This exhibit ought to have been placed near Mr Tyer’s and Messrs Bowron Bros/ It is hidden away to a great extent now, and is well worthy of a much better position. SADDLERY. Messrs Chas. Greatrex and Son, wholesale saddlers, Wellington, have a very nice case of saddlery, consisting of full-shafto steeplechase saddle, with doe seat, demi-exercise and semi-race saddles, Thompson’s patent pilch saddles, with tree showing the foundation of the pilch, which is entirely made of leather. The saddles, which are in the bestsfcyleof workmanship, are both light and durable. There is a varied assortment of thongs—four-horse coach, four-horse waggon, bullock, cart, hunting, and stock thoDgs. The bullock thongs are made in white and green hides, the plait 3 ranging from four to twenty. The others are made of brown and green kangaroo hide and green hide. Some are finished with silk points, others with green hide. All the goods are very neatly labelled. Mr Cox, the local manager for Messrs Greatrex and Son, states that, with the exception of the hogskins, serge, and trees, everything used in the manufacture of the saddles are colonial products, the leathers having been obtained from Mr Tyer, of the Ngahauranga Tannery, which have been found equal to almost anything imported. Mr Cox states that Mr Tyer’s manufactures are superior to any others tried by the firm. Independent of the warehouse, Messrs Greatrex and Sou employ about a dozen hands in Wellington. The head establishment is at Walsall, in England, and there are branches at Hanover, in Germany ; Durban, in Natal; as in Wellington. The firm is one of the leading manufacturers of saddlery in Europe. The Wellington branch has been in existence about five years. Mr J. E. Evans, Lambton-quay, Wellington succeeded in 1862 to the business which his father established in 1851) has a very large display of saddlery of every description. Eighty different kinds of goods of ordinary manufacture are shown, including .single-buggy and pair-horse harness, collars, valises, portmanteaus, leggings, leather beltings, Government portfolios, ladies’ and gentlemen's Pelham and Weymouth bridles, in flat and round work, horse and pony snaffle bridles, hunting breastplate and martingale, in ivory, nickel, and plated mountings. There is a very large display of small knick-knack 3 in the saddlery line, of which Mr Evans appears to make a specialty. Since the change from 10 to 15 per cent duty, various articles which were imported

are now manufactured. The small goods are kept in a glass case, the saddles and harness being hung up behind for closer inspection. Three saddles are shown in various stages of manufacture. These uir Evans intends competing at the Exhibition. Everything has been made by colonially-trained workpeople. There are a dozen hands employed. Samples of neatsfoot and trotter oil, saddle and harness oomposition3, and boot dubbings are shown—all made by Mr Evans. The oils look very pare. Mr W. Wiggins, Lambton-quay, has a large case of saddlery and harness, all got up in a highly finished state of workmanship. In saddlery there is a very beautifully finished steeplechase saddler with white doeskin seat, knee thigh pads, solid flaps and skirts, with highly ornamental stitching, the flaps being bound with sealskin ; an all-over steeplechase saddle of heavier class, with fawn doeskin seat, doeskin inlaid skirt, and colonial thigh pads; an all-over full shafto saddle, with colonial knee and thigh pads, and doeskin on the fore and hind parts ; all-over saddle, with raised skirt all round, English knee and thigh pads, stiched in blue silk full-sized all-over English hogskin, English knee and colonial thigh pads, skirted all round, and stitched in blue and white silk ; the usual stock saddle completing the list. In harness there are sets of double buggy, single buggy, cab, gig, and cart harness. All are splendid samples of workmanship, and Mr Wiggins states that everything was made on his own premises. The stitching is very neatly and artistically done, whilst the mountings are of the best and most approved kind, solid nickel being generally used, patent leather of different colors being set off with great effect. The cart harness is highly ornamented. Though strong and durable enough, it is too good altogether for every day use, but for show purposes and market days it would look splendid on a good Clydesdale. A set of plain Scotch harness is also shown, also a nice assortment of leathers and girths. The leathers used were obtained from Messrs Hurst and Co.’s tannery, and Mr Wiggins states that they are quite equal to anything that can be imported. The only things imported are patent leathers, hogsßins, and trees. Mr Wiggins employs aboue eighteen hands. Messrs H. Brace and Co., Auckland (a branch of the large saddlery warehouse in Great Britain) has a case of saddlery, one lady’s riding saddle being very beautifully worked in blue silk. Jockey’s, ‘hunting, and stockrider’s saddles are also shown. The exhibit, though small, is very creditable. BOOTS AND SHOES.

Mr E. T. Cartwright, Auckland, ha 3 a display of 60 different patterns of uppers, all highly finished, from a lady’s fine satin boot to riding and hunting boots. Amongst the goods may be specially mentioned the lady’s duplex boot, glove kid shoe and elastic boot combined, lady’s gaiter boot, the gymnastic boot, made of scarlet leather and white canvas, and the gent’s Napoleon and jockey leg boots. A 1 are got up in the very best style, and are neatly arranged. Messrs R. Hannah and Co., Wellington, show 73 different kinds of boots and shoes, Buch as are made for every day use, from a boy’s copper toe to a gentleman’s or jockey’s riding boot. A few of tnese may be specially mentioned for their excellence, such as the lady’s kid Oxfprd shoe, with Wurtemburg heel ; lady’s extra high Hessian lace, gentlemen’s porpoise hide shooting boot, with wide welt ; and gentlemen’s Oxford calf pa.tent dinner shoe. Messrs Hannah and Co. have made a specialty of the hobnailed watertight boots, made of water-resisting kip leather, which are much used bp the miners on the West Coast. In the bespoke portion of the case there is a pair of jockey boots, made of Tasmanian wallaby skin, with pump bottoms, the pair weighing only 9oz. The French calf wrinkled riding boot, glove-kid Balmoral waking boot, and porpoise shooting boot are remarkable for superior quality and finish. The firm manufactures at the rate of about 100,000 pairs of boots per annum, and about £12,000 is paid away in wages. There are 140 hands now employed. When Mr Hannah started in 1874 he had only four men at work. Threefourths of the materials used are of colonial manufacture, the leather being chiefly obtained from Messrs Hurst and Co., Mr A. Tyer, and Messrs Ireland Brothers, Auokland. Air W. Nicholls, of Christchurch, has a neat display of a dozen different kinds of bootß and shoes, from a gentleman’s dress shoe to a heavy shooting 'boot. The seamless shoe is claimed as a specialty. It certaiuly looks a great improvement on the fine-pointed shoe which appears to be again getting fashionable, and of which Mr Nicholls shows several kinds. The Oxford patent leather brogue, the grain water-tight, and gentleman’s gaiter, are all very superior, and hand-sown. Mr Nicholls obtained an order of merit at the Melbourne International Exhibition, and the silver medal of the first order at the Christchurch Exhibition, for general excellence. The Northern Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company, Auckland, has a case containing a great many different patterns in boots and shoes. In style, finish, and general get up, the Northern factory appears quite able to hold its own with those of Wellington and Christchurch.

Mr A. Lindsay, Wellington, exhibits two cases of boots and shoes. The bespoke work is represented by a very fine display of boots and shoes, made in the latest styles and most approved patterns. The gent’s glove kid boots and patent leather boots are very highly finished ; whilst the women’s and children’s boot 3 are made after the choicest patterns imported from the best houses in Stafford. Mr Lindsay states that there is no difficulty whatever in getting the workmen to turn out everything in the most finished, style, but the leather for the better class of boots and shoes is difficult to obtain from the colonial tanne ies. The shearer’s shoe i 3 one of the specialties in the case ; it is something between the ordinary slipper and shoe. Sixty different patterns are shown in the two cases, from the common copper toe to a riding boot, and from a girl’s glove-kid button boot to a hobnail. All the strong boots are made from leather purchased from Mr A. Tyer’s and Messrs Hurst and Co/s tanneries. The morocco used in some of the best work was prepared by Mr Tyer, and is nearly as good as anything that can be imported in that line. Mr Lindsay, who employs abont 30 hands, turns out about 10,000 pairs of boots and shoes every year. Mr G. H. Poynter, Tinakori-road, Wellington, has a very neat case of boots and shoes, the work in which appears to be a very superior

kind. Ladies’ satin ballroom shoes, ladies’ satin prunella boots, ladies’ evening shoes with revolving heels, gentlemen’s court shoes, Mephistopheles’ boots, pansy slippers, shooting and walking boots, are exceedingly well got up. Mr Poynter shows the seamless shoe; also the lawn-tennis and cricket boots, which he has patented. Mr J. E. Potter, Lambton-quay, Wellington, exhibits some very neatly-finished ladies’ glove-kid Balmorals, ladies’ cloth Oxford, patent goloshed, kid buttoned, and patent leather court boots ; also gentlemen’s satin calf Lome shoe, calf Oxford shoe, kid Balmorals, and cloth Balmoral boots. There are about fifty different kinds in the case, all of which are in the most approved styles, and highly finished. Messrs Lightband, Allen, and Co., of Christchurch, have the largest display of boots and shoes in the building—probably not less than 200 pairs of different styles, ranging from a lady’s carpet slipper to a lady’s embroidered Hessian bell, and from the best French glove kid to a common watertight. Every kind of boot made in colonial factories may be seen in this case. At the back of the case a grained sea-boot is shown, which appears to be a first class article. It has driven the celebrated Hardy’s imported sea-boot out of the colonial market. Leggings of various kinds are also showD. Messrs Lightband, Allan, & Co., employ about 240 hands at their factory, and pay from £20,000 to £30,000 per annum in wages. They manufacture about 200,000 pairs of bootß and shoes annually. Mr M. Boyd, heel and toe-plate manufacturer, Wellington, who is the only exhibitor in that class of work, shows a small case containing heel tips, heel plates in steel and brass, and steel toe-plates. These are well finished, aud quite equal to anything that can be imported. Mr Boyd supplies the trade in Wellington and other parts of the Colony with his manufactures.

PRINTING, BOOKBINDING, &c. There is an excellent and varied collection of exhibits in this department. The Government Printing Office has an excellent stand, but all their exhibits are not ready yet. Those already unpacked are apparatus and processes used in printing, bookbinding, and stereotyping, and specimens of bookbinding and electrotypes. These comprise a handsome super-royal register, bound in Russia under bands, gilt ; register, white vellum, double Russia bands, illuminated ; ledger, full rough calf, single Russia bands, brass bottoms and corners ; two of same class of books, showing band-sewing and machine-sewing. There is also a variety of other account books. The marbling on the edges is very superior workmanship. Among the other volumes may be mentioned an address ledger, with full vowel index, bound in full calf ; “ Hochstetter’s New Zealand,” in morocco, elegant tooled gilt edges; “Indigenous Grasses of New Zealand,” morocco, with landscape view of Lake Wanaka in gilt on cover ; specimens of books bound in full calf, half extra, with gilt tops ; miscellaneous assortment of books bound in half ealf, neat. There are also exhibits of cloth, gold, and ink blockings. This office has a grand display of electrotypes. There is an electrotyped plate of beer duty stamps, a variety of electrotypes for gold covers on books and [printing, electrotypes of ferns, which are the only production of the sort in the Exhibition, and stereotype plates for printing. Among the smaller exhibits are a die, counter-part in solid copper, produced by the eleetrotyping process, and wrought iron locking-np screws. Messrs Lyon and Blair’s stall presents a very attractive appearance, and the manner in which the various exhibits are laid out is highly creditable to those who superintended the work. This firm exhibit specialties in ruling, letter-press printing, orthography, embossing in gold colors, handsome specimens of steel die sinking, unique designs in ladies’ and gentlemen’s visiting cards, miscellaneous collection of stationery, including promissory note farms, acceptances, drafts on demand, cash receipts, receipts for goods, copying letter books, and manifold writers of every description. School exercises aud memorandum books also form a special feature in the exhibits. Ball programmes and mourning and concert cards are shown in gold and colored printing. Excellent plans and maps, debenture forms, certificates, yearly calendars, lithographed in numerous colors, and cameo printing, form a novelty, and show to what extent this firm has progressed. The binding exhibits comprise account books of all descriptions, bound in modern styles. The most noticeable of these is an insurance register of various patterns of printing and ruling, magnificently bound iu full calf, double Russia bands, the size being double imperial. This is the “largest commercial book in the Exhibition ; a.royal ledger, bound in full green vellum, double Russiabands, half e’egant ; aud a full Russia double under band book. The workmanship of these books is of the highest order. The other books exhibited range from double Russia bands to memoranda, scrap albums, and address cases, elaborately bound, with bevelled edges, &c. Books of poems and law books are bound in all conceivable styles, and well merit inspection. Messrs Lyon and Blair also exhibit a caligraph printing machine, of which they are agents. A young lady attendant shows the working of it to visitors. This machine is a recent invention, and it has already proved a great boon to business firms and offices generally. Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, Christchurch, exhibit a variety of stationery and books in rough calf Russia bands, and one with vsllum corners. The assortment comprises account books in calf binding and canvass. One specimen in bound in red morocco, half extra. There is a variety of calf and morocco books half extra. This firm has also two stands of stationery, which include school books and ruled writing paper. Mr Lankshear exhibits a gold-stamping press and an automatic numbering machine, which were at work on Saturday, and attracted considerable attention. The books exhibited comprise account books, Rusua uuder bands, double and single Russia bands, whole calf and goat, whole diced and smooth roan letter-press books, of which there are about twenty volumes bound in padded morocco and calf. The sides are perfectly plain, forming a good contrast to Ihe tooled backs and gilt edges. These exhibits were made per3onally by Mr Lankshear, and, although not got up specially for the Exhibition, they are well and strongly bound. Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell, the well-

known manufacturing stationers in Dunedin, are well represented by a case of bookbinding and a very good exhibit from their Otago Paper Mills. Thev also show a copy of the Dunedin livening Herald for July 28 of this year, printed on paper made at their own mills. This is the first time that printing paper has been successfully manufactured in the Colony, and judging from the quality it is such as to mark a step in the progress of New Zealand. They also show a very dark rope brown paper, of a nature suited for ironmongers, &e, and a light-brown paper for general wrapping purposes. Two specimens of grey papers are shown—the thinner quality being manufactured for use in woollen mills and soft-goods warehouses, the thicker quality being used for paper bags. Two very good samples of blue papers (as supplied for the use of candlemakers), a first-class specimen of yellowprinting and two reams of white printing, the latter being a source of much interest to visitors, are shown. The grocers’ bags made by this firm are exhibited in gray, blue, and white papers. The principle line is grocers’ gray bags, in the making of which two powerful machines are used, each turning out a complete bag at every revolution, and to supply those who prefer hand-made bags, fifteen girls are kept constantly at work. The mills have been entirely rebuilt within the last four months, and give employment to over thirty hands, the mill being kept working day and night. The specimens of bookbinding exhibited by Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell are of a very superior class, as might be expected from a firm of their repute. A very large ledger, bound in full Russia, with elaborately laced bands, occupies the centre of the case, this being the largest size of account-book made, and it is well supported by several different styles of well made book?. Some very fine specimens of letterpress bookbinding, and a set of four large albums, the binding and of which is creditable to the firm, are amongst the exhibits. A neatly designed show card of embossing and relief stamping completes the exhibit. Although only showing the above lines, the firm are printers, lithographers, engravers, &c., as well as large importers and stationery contractors, employing in their factories nearly 100 hands. ninth day.—Tuesday, august h. There was a fair attendance to-day, over 600 persons being present during the afternoon. In the evening about 1400 persons attended. The Oamaru Band gave their final concert, the hall being crowded. They are very general favorites with the Wellington people, who will remember them with kindly feelings. As a band they are thought to be superior to any in the Colony, but of course that remains to be proved. BISCUITS AND CONFECTIONERY. Near the staircase leading up to the Art Gallery, the Wellington Biscuit and Confectionery Company has a very fine display, everything being tastefully arranged. There are 90 different kinds of biscuits, including several novelties, such as meringoes, Dresden moss, glace, chocolate and chocolate maecaroons, moss, &c. In confectionery,"there are forty kinds of panned goods, and fifty of lozenges, some of the latter being acidulated and medicated. In boiled sugar there is a display of almost everything known to the trade, novelties being introduced in the shape of Yaukee candies, rashers of bacon, cooking and eating apples, peaches, cocoanut and almond balls, honeycomb candles, grape rocks, &e. In liqueurs there are orange and lemon slices, fondants, jujubes, Turkish delights, sugar candies, French jellies, rollypollie slices, chocolate and nonpareil creams, with watches, mice, fish, <fcc. In a small glass case to the. right there is a large plum pudding, with a piece of holly ; but the visitor is rather taken aback when he is told that the plum pudding is entirely made of sugar, and that there is not & particle of the usual ingredients in it. Ranged all round are twisted sugars, with baskets, frosted work, &n., three bunches of grapes (also made of sugar) being hung overhead. To the left there are very nicely worked designs in flowers, leaves, scroll work, figure?, &c. On one of the frames the words “Wellington Biscuit and Confectionery Company ” form the centre, being composed of sugar-work ia various colors, and on the other “ All Colors Warranted Pure ’’ are conspicuous. In the selection of the colors the greatest care is taken to avoid deleterious matter of any kind, and the London agent of the Company states that, everything has been submitted to a medical test. The Company employs thirty-five hands, and has been exporting to Fiji for the past three years. Trade is done in the Colony from the Bluff right up to Auckland, Mr David Wighton, Lambton-quay, Wellington, has an excellent exhibit of boiled confectionery of every kind, in tins and bottles. The goods look remarkably pure, no ingredient or coloring matter of any kind having been used. What are exhibited are similar to those sold iu the shop every day. Dogs, birds, and figures of various kinds are scattered here and there amongst the tins, all being made of sugar. Mr Wighton has balf-a-dozsn hands employed, and uses about four tou3 of sugar every week. He. intends to go iu for fruitpreserving next year. He came to the Colony from Dundee, shich is the centre for this class of business in Scotland. Messrs Griffin and Sons, Nelson, have a very good display of thirty-six different kinds of biscuits, from the small gem to the saloon biscuit. Canterbury cakes are shown in tinfoil, and a special line of iced dessert looks very inviting, A small show case contains icing sugar, pea flnir, wheatmeal, rice flour, split peas, and superfine flour, all being manufactured by the firm. A nice display of biscuit boxes completes a very creditable exhibit.

Mr J. Godber, Cuba-street, Wellington, exhibits two wedding cakes—one being very tastefully ornamented with sprays, orange blossoms, flowers, leaves,,&c., the piping being beautifully finished. The smaller cake, including the scroll work, was entirely made by Mr Godber. Two Savoy cakes are placed in the case, ornamented in colors, a chief feature being the piping, which is drawn as fine as a thread. There is also a representation of a Swiss chalet, with windows, door, roof, and balcony of worked sugar. The exhibit is one of the neatest in the building. Mr Godber employs about a dozen hands. He was able laßt year to place ten cricketers out of an eleven in the field in a friendly match.

Messrs Wilson and Son, Willis-street, Wellington, have a display of confectionery curios, fruits of various kinds, vegetables of different varieties, ginger beer bottles, with candle on top dripping down the side 3, &c. The fruits are placed in one fancifully worked basket, the vegetables in the other. There are besides six plates of fruits and vegetables, a large number of figures and a plum pudding. There are twelve tins of assorted confectionery. Messrs S. Kirkpatrick and Co. and the Anchor Preserving Company, Nelson, have exhibits of crystallised confectionery in patent air-tight glass-stopper bottles. The confectionery may be very wholesome, but the samples want finish. Mr P. J, Newbury, Dunedin, sends a small case of cracknel biscuits and boiled loaf sugar. The biscuits are a very good sample. Mr J. Heron. Napier, exhibits six tins of biscuits, but the general get-up is so faulty that he might have saved himself the trouble.

At tbe other side of the building Messrs Aulsebrook and Co.’s large exhibit is placed. There is a varied assortment of biscuits oE fifty different kinds, from small pearl to cabin bread. Biscuits of every description are now made up in lib and 21fc tin?, similar to the Home goods. In glass-front cardboard boxes, Canterbury cakes—citron, seed, and current—are shown. The ordinary round, universal, and square lunch biscuits are packed iu cases ranging from 50ibs to lOulbs. Three common kinds of ship biscuit, such' as are used in the navy gaols, &c., are shown. Messrs A-ulsebrook and Co. are now large manufarS turers of cabin bread, having lately secured a contract from the New Zealand Gevernment for the supply of 200 tons, the first portion of which was sent to the South Sea Islands in the Janet Nicoll. It is packed in 501 b tins, which «re rendered air-tight by soldering. Mr Aulsebrook commenced business in Christchurch iu 1863, doing all the work himself. He now employs 25 men, 12 boys, and 14 girls, the latter being engaged in the packing department. There is a consumption of 15,000 dozen eggs per annum, which arc all preserved by a special process at the firm’s premises. All the flour used is manufactured by the firm, whose milling capacity at the present time is about 3000 tous per annum. Messrs J. Bycroft and Co., Auckland, have their exhibit close by, consisting of 86 different kinds of biscuits, from ratafias and ginger wafers to saloon biscuits. There are citron, cinnamon, cocoanut, lemon, time, maecaroons, sultauas, spice nut?, strawberry drops, &c., amongst the collection. The firm of Messrs J. Bycroft and Co. is one of the oldest and wealthiest in the Colony, the late Mr C. Stone having been oue of the principals for many years. Two flour mills are kept constantly at work—one in Auckland, the other at Onehunga. A large export trade is done by the firm, who employ a large number of hands.

Close to the stage in the concert hall there is a very large exhibit from Mr W. Wright, Dunedin, consisting of a wedding cake, 40 to 50 different kinds of biscuit?, and some samples of self-raising flour. The cake is a very massive affair, made in the shape of a church, with steps leading up to it. It is very cleverly executed.

At the other side of the stage Mr Salvatore Lezza, of Christchurch, has a large glass case, containing an assortment of tropical and New Zealand candied fruits. In tropical fruit 3 there are preserves of oranges, lemons, citrons, pineapples, water and rock melons. Apricots, peaches, plums, gooseberries, raspberries, pumpkins, all grown iu Oau erburj, are preserved. Mr Lezza, who is manufacturing confectionery in one of the annexe?, states that the colonial fruit is far superior to that grown in France for preserving purposes, though it does not look quite so nice.

NEW ZEALAND TIMBERS, &c. The Public Work 3 Department exhibit about 400 pieces of New Zealand woods, polished and in the rough, about 100 drawings and photographs, 20 pieces of stone, and 7 models. The court is an annex to the original Exhibition, the Department having been unable to obtain space iu the main building, and measures 50ft long by 20ft wide. The walls of the court are panelled to a height of 3ft with the various timbers, the line being here and there broken by extra large pieces. As the panelling projects out about a foot, tbe top has been covered with black cloth, and specially good pieces of wood shown on it. On the walls, which are covered with a neutral tint paper on two of the are hung drawings and photographs, showing many of the works carried out by the Department throughout the Colony ; on the south end wall are fixed veneers and specimens suitable for furniture and ornamental work generally ; the north end is at present open, but its nakedness will in a day or two be hidden ty a large model of the Rakaia Gorge Bridge. In the centre of. the room a table ha 3 been erected, so as to leave a passage sft at sides and 7ft wide at the ends, paueiled like the walls, and made specially strong to carry the heavy weight (about 6 tons) on it. Like the top of the side panelling, it is covered in black cloth, a pyramid of polished wooden cubes being erected ia the centre, flanked on either side by large flitches of timber on end, above which photographs are hung, as oa the walls. Round the outer edge of the table aro placed models, Btone, choice pieces of timber, &c. About 400 varieties of timber are exhibited, in. all shapes and sizes. Generally the3e have been cut to a length of 3ft, and in the case of pieces under 12iu diameter the tree has simply had a saw-cut through the centre, and afterwards one piece dressed and polished, the other being only dressed. Above 12in diameter flitches 4in wide have been cut through the centre of the tree, so as to show the bark on either side. The panelling round the room. • has been arranged to contrast the woods as well as possible, being alternately light and dark, or vice versa. The flitches are placed generally about 2it apart, the space being filled iip by two smaller pieces. At the south end of the room a piece of red birch (Fagas fusca), sfb 6in x sft, with a piece of kauri, 6ft 2in x sft Biu, on either side, occupy the . whole breadth of the room. These pieces are very conspicuous particularly the red birch, which is exceptionally large. The birch is from Greymouth, the kauri from Auckland, red pine (rimu), and of the timber in panelling, the following are noticeable :—Puriri and mottled kauri, Auckland ; rimu and white piue, Wellington ; manuka, Nelson ; honeysuckle and totara, Auckland ; matai, Wellington ; rata, kawaka, rimu, West Goast district ; golden pine and totara, Nelson ; white pine and totara, Canterbury. On the tables

several nice knots are shown, viz., knots of puriri, Auckland ; rimu, Wellington ; totara, Wanganui and Nelson. Pieces of black maire and totara kust, cubes, Wellington ; and slabs of maire, Wanganui ; akeake, Auckland ; rewarewa, Nelson, look verj nice. On the large table, the samples of timber cut into cubes will repay looking at, and also the large flitches of plain kauri, totara, matai, hutu tawbai, and mangeao. Of the veneers at the south end, above red birch, Sec., already mentioned, the akeake, totara knots, rata, curly rimu, puriri, maire, mottled kauri and rimu knots deserve mention. On the whole, the timber specimens, though not by any means the best obtainable, will well repay a visit to the Exhibition. Among the photographs, See., a water-color sketch by Mr O’Brien, cf Auckland, of the Wingatui Viaduct, Otago Central Railway, attracts attention. A 3 observable in most mechanical drawings, it is rather hard, but gives a very good idea of the bridge and its surroundings. Elevations of the Wingatui Viaduct, the new Waiau-ua Bridge, which is to replace the old horse bridge, and bridge over the Clutha River, Otago, are 1 shown. These were drawn by Mr Wrigg, chief draughtsman, Public Works Department, and look well. There are also drawings of Moko Hinou Lighthouse, Waimea Water-race, &c. The photographs on the whole are fair, the best being one of the Rakaia Gorge Bridge, and one of the Ngawapurua Bridge, near Woodville, lately opened. The others are roughly views of Manawatu Gorge Bridge, Otago Central, Hurunui- Bluff, ' WellingtonNapier (including Rimutaka), WellingtonFoxton, Auckland-Waikato, Waimea Waterrace, West Coast, &c. A painting, showing method of tunnelling, lent by Mr Blair, M. Inst., C.E., is also exhibited, which gives & very good idea of the work to the uninitiated. A drawing of a rimu in the embrace of a rata vine, and photos of Auckland fortifications should not be passed over. Various specimens of stone are shown from granite to limestone. The following models are exhibited :—l. Horse bridge over the Waiau-au River, Hanmer Plains, NelsoD, a relic of the old provincial days. It was built by Mr Blackett, M. Inst. C.E., now Engineer-in-Chief, when Provincial Engineer, and evinces great skill in construction and in making use of materials at hand. The bridge, though looking like an arch, is actually a cantilever bridge, the arch being only a minor consideration. No scaffolding was used in the construction at all, the carpenters starting from the sills and working upwards. The clear span is 160 ft, and the height of roadway above water-level, 120 ft. A new iron cart bridge, an elevation of which has been already noticed, 13 to be erected at the same spot, and on the same principle. 2. Model of Patterson Bridge over the Taieri River, Hnrunui-Bluff Railway. This Is a very good model, and is the private property of Mr Blair. The bridge consists of four 80ft spans of the usual standard pattern. 3. Model of centre span, Opaki Bridge, over Ruamahunga River, Wellington, Woodville Railway. This is a model of an 80ft span truss bridge built to an inch scale. It is a very good model, the workmanship throughout being almost perfect. 4. Two other models are also shown, one of a standard 60ft span, with two-end 20ft span bridge, and a 25 cwfc pile-driving machine. During the week a model of the Rakaia Gorge Bridge and of a New Zealand lighthouse will also be shown.

As showing the lasting quality of totara four piecea are exhibited, lent by the Wellington Harbor Board, taken from Queen’s Wharf, some of which has been over 2S years exposed to the action of sea and worms, and is now perfectly sound. Against this some ironbark, only two years under similar circumstances, is seen to be quite riddled by the teredo navalis worm.

Owing to the short time available, as great a nnmber of exhibits have not been got together as might have otherwise been the case. The whole exhibit was got together from time of instruction in about blx weeks, and great credit is due to Messrs Blackett and Blair. Engiaeers-in-Chief, and the various district officers for their expedition and exertions. The annex and exhibits were built ai-id fixed in a fortnight, •under the superintendence of Mr Oonnall, the Engineer in charge of the Wellington district. Mr Hayns, his deputy, also worked very hard, as weil as the men under him. Some of the choicest things will probably be sent to the Colonial Exhibition in London.

The attendance at the Exhibition Wednesday was somewhat less than that of the previous day, but still it was very good. It must be remembered that on Tuesday evening the Oamaru Band gave a performance which attracted many people. On Wednesday afternoon there was an organ recital, and in the evening an orchestral concert in the Drillshed, which was well filled. The number of visitors in the early part of the day was 538, and in the evening 1174, making a total of 1712. After dark, the electric light was displayed in the machinery annexe, by Messrs R. E. Eletcher and Co., electric engineers, of Dunedin. Tnree lamps were shown, giving an intense white light, which made the gas jets look dingy and yellow, and sent bright rays through the windows to the open air. The Exhibition is becoming a favorite place of resort. So long as the weather is fine, the building is sure to have plenty of visitors.