THE DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 896, 3 May 1889, Page 27

THE DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

(per press association.) Dunedin, April 25. At a meeting of the Exhibition Commiasioners, Dr Hocken submitted a most favourable report of his recent visit to the North, as chairman of the Early History of the Maori and South Seas Committee. The Northern Steamship Company had most generously agreed to convey exhibits free from the ports visited by their fleet. He says it was pleasant to And an utter absence of that jealous feeling or expression which has proved a constant hindrance to the progress of the Colony. In every place visited, with one exception only, the greatest interest was taken in the project and assistance promised. Mr Drew, of Wanganui, and Mr Hamilton, of Napier, both enthusiasts in Maori lore, had promised special assistance, and with promises from other quarters he was sure the department of the early history and Maori ethnology would be well represented. It was astonishing to find in the least likely and out-of-the-way places objects of value and interest, and many small industries susceptible of considerable development. He referred as an instance to the hats manufactured in the Hokianga district (Auckland), which rivalled, if did not surposs, those made of fancy straw, and if exhibited in any fashionable window would speedily And customers. They were made by Maoris and Europeans from lace-bark or ribbon-wood tree. Fine fruit was grown and arrangements were made to have a constant supply for exhibition.