THE SHIPPING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 34

THE SHIPPING.

PHENOMENAL GROWTH t>F THE COMMERCE OF WELLINGTON. What further proof do we need of the progress of Wellington than that which presents itself in the shipping- of the port ? The value of our land-locked harbour and its wharves, and the excellent arrangements connected therewith cannot be over-estimated, for it is to them chiefly that the city is in l debted for its present prosperity. As a port AVellington challenges Comparison with many of the chief Commercial Centres of Australasia, and as We are essentially a mercantile community-, some particulars concerning Port Nicholson and its wharves are at the present time exceptionally interesting-. THE HARBOUR AND RECLAMATION. The harbour itself contains an area of about 200,000 acres, having depths from six up to sixteen fathoms, and is of sufficient capacity to enable a squadron of warships to manoeuvre under steam within its limits. Since the date of our last Exhibition (18S5) a considerable amount of reclamation has been done by the City Council and the Government. The former body reclaimed that portion of Tc Aro outside Victoria from Hunter street to the Bowing Club sheds, and the land on which the Harbour Board's building and bond stand, together with the approach to the Queen's Wharf—-about IS acres in all. It is on a section of this land that the present Exhibition buildings have been erected. The Government has reclaimed part of the old Boat Harbour site to form an approach from Waterloo quay for the Te Aro Railway, extending to Jervois quay, of which about half an aero was paid for by the City Council and used to widen Customhouse quay and as a site tor vehicle shelters. The Harbour Board paid for half an acre, and on that the wharf office buildings and store i P were built. By the Board itself, reclamation is now being made outside Waterloo quay, north of the Railway Wharf-, and of this about one acre is already finished. HISTORY OF THE WHARVES. The building of the Queen's Wharf was started about the year 1860 by the Provincial Government, by whom it was managed till the abolition of that method of government in 1871. Then, the wharf, together with the Queen's Bond, was sold to the City Corporation for £25,000. That body controlled the work connected with the w r harf for some time, and a very large revenue was derived therefrom. For a number of years the wharf was leased to various wharfingers, among others being Mr Tonks, Messrs Jackson and Graham, and again Mr Jackson. After the Ist February, IS7O, however, the Council resumed control, with Mr Spinks as bookkeeper, Mr W. F. Kennedy, wharfinger, and Mr W. Prince (the present wharfinger) as outdoor foreman. FORMATION OF THE HARBOUR BOARD. Trade was extending rapidly, and as the then condition of things w r as far from being satisfactory, the Chamber of Commercechiefly at the instigation of the late Mr W. H. Levin—agitated for the formation of a harbour board. Accordingly, in 1879, by Act of Parliament, the present Board was constituted, with power to borrow .£IOO,OOO. The Railway Wharf, which had been built by the Government in JB7B, in connection with the railway service, was vested in the Harbour Board in 1880, together with the breastwork of Waterloo quay. The City Council still had the management of the Queen's Wharf, but on October 31st, 1881, the wharf and the Queen's Bond were sold to the Harbour Board for .£64,000. ITS CONSTITUTION. This body, which has so admirably managed our shipping interests over since, is constituted as follows:—Three members appointed by the Government, two elected by the ratepayers of Wellington, one elected by the Chamber of Commerce, one chosen jointly by the payers of dues exceeding £lO per annum and the owners of ships registered in Wellington, one appointed by the Hutt County Council, one appointed by the Wairarapa County Councils, and the Mayor of Wellington ex officio. The late Mr W. H. Levin was the first chairman of the Board, and his successors were Messrs W. V. Jackson, E. Pearce, J. Duthie, Captain Rose, Mr W. Booth, the late Mr Cock (after whose death Mr E. Pearce acted as chairman), Mr J. Jack, and the present holder of the position,Mr T.J. W. Gale. A local weekly publication recently made some absurd misstatements concerning the Board, stating that the majority of members represented the shipping interest, and altogether predominated over the mercantile nominees. It is only necessary to glance at the constitution of the Board to see how entirely incorrect this is. SOME OLD MEMBERS. Among other ex-members of the Harbour Board who have worked hard on its behalf may be mentioned the late Captain Williams and the late Messrs Jas. Petherick and W. F. Wheeler. Also, Messrs F. A. Krull, •J. I<J. Nathan, Paul Coffey, S. Lancaster, J. Drum-held, I>. Speedy and J. (.'hew, 'i ho following Mayors hive sat as members: Messrs W. Hutchison, G. Fisher, F. 1:1. L>. Hell. A. W. Brown, .- . Brown, J. Duthie, A. do B. Brandon, C. J. Johnston and C. M. Luke. OFFICERS OK THE BOARD. Mr H. M. Lyon (now secretary of the Underwriters' Association) was the iirst secretary to the Harbour Board, filling that position from 1879 till 1884, when Mr Ferguson was appointed engineer and secretary. Mr Lyon remained as treasurer of the Board till 1885, when he resigned, and the duties of treasurer were added to Mr Ferguson's work. On Mr Ferguson's invaluable services we will not dwell; suffice it to say that the Empire City is indebted to him for many things other than the excellent systems in force at our wharves, which have materially helped to further the advancement of Wellington. Mr G. F. Smith, the assistant secretary, has been in that position since 1890. The accountant and cashier, Mr H. E. Nicholls, joined the wharf staff as a lad in 1874, and has gradually worked his way up to his present responsible post. Captain John Holliday, harbourmaster, was appointed to that office on Ist July, 1860, by the Superintendent of the Province, and has held it ever since. He also acted as Health Officer from 1867 to 1895, and was formerly adjuster of compasses, commissioner of emigration and examiner of masters and mates, all of whmh positions are now held by different officials. Captain Johnson, formerly of the Union Company's service, was made chief pilot in 18S9, and his assistant- are Captains W. Shilling and J. Henderson. FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE BOARD. Now, as to the work of the Harbour Board. It has a debt of .£200,000, of which £61,000 pays 6 per ceni. interest, .£39,000 pays 5 per cent, and .£IOO,OOO 4£- per cent. The whole of this amount is repayable, on February

28th, 1907, and towards the repayment the Board sets aside annually a sinking fund of 1 per cent. This is vested in the hands of Sinking Fund Commissioners (at present Mr D. T. Stuart and Mr W. Ferguson), who had under their control on the 30th September list the sum of £27,306 4s Bd. There is written off for depreciation on all property of the Board a considerable sum annually, and this sum is expended on new works* The endowments to the Board are small} consist* ing of an acre Ot land at the head oftHe Queen's Wharf, and on which are built the Queen's Chambers; Sargood's, BannatyWa' and Thomas' premises; aiid tlie site. in FeatherStcn street on which the New Zealand. Loan and Mercantile A gericy Company's building stands. INCREASE OF ARRIVALS OF VESSELS. In the year 18S7 w the number of steamers and sailing vessels which arrived in Wellington was 2109, with a tonnage of 710,272, and last .year the number was 2233 vessels, with a total tonnage of 1,044,046 —a most decided increase. The number of vessels arriving l has not increased proportionately with the tonnage, and this, no doubt, is due to the replacement of sailing vessels by steamers of greater tonnage-. Only 87 sailers arrived in" 1b95, and this number was less than in any previous year of the Board's history.

BERTHS AND STORES. No special note lias been kept of the maximum tonnage of vessels at the wharves at any one time, but on oiie day in last November it was computed that there Was a total of fully 35,000 tons; There Were only two berths in 1887 that could take ocean steamers, but now there are six at the Queen's Wharf aiid one at the Bailway Wharf. All the other berths and the approaches thereto have been considerably deepened, and are now available for a larger class of vessels than could use them in 1887. In that year the greatest depth was 28ft, and this is now deepened to 30ft. The superficial area of the stores and sheds has beeh increased from 62,000 ft nine years aero to 165,500 ft at the present time ; and the cubic capacity from 947,000 cubic feet to 2,590,000 ft. These figures include the bond and new store P. TRADE RETURNS. The first shipment of frozen moat from Wellington was made in 1883, when 623 tons were exported. Jn 1887, this rose to 1586 tons, and last year, 3108 tons were sent aWay. Nine years ago, 164 tons of butter and cheese were shipped from Wellington, and last year this had increased to 3016 tons. The exports (exclusive of wool and hemp) from the port by English and foreign vessels in 1887 totaled 3535 tons, and last year 10,084 tons. In the former year, 59,488 bales of wool and hemp were shipped, and this number increased to 91,857 bales last year. The imports have risen in va.luo from .£1,105,665 in ISB7 to £1,580,771 in 1895. The net Customs revenue in theso two years amounted respectively to £224,988 and £360,142. RECENT IMPROVEMENTS. The cost of new works and improvements sinco December 31st, 1887, amounts to <£165,506. In that year there were no appliances for lifting or handling cargo, except by means of hand-cranes. Now there is a complete system of hydraulic cranes on the wharves and hydraulic jiggers in the sheds and stores, including two cranes capable of lifting 40 and 10 tons respectively. The lineal feet of berthage accommodation has been increased from about 5250 ft to 7500 ft, and the area of the wharvos has been extended by 120,000 square foct. Dredging during the past nine years has cost .£23,500. One of tho most recent outlays was in the erection of a large brick building, containing the large wool store (P), wharf office, accumulator house, and other conveniences, the whole costing £16,000. Notwithstanding the curious shape of the land, and the fact that tho original plans had to be altered, the building has proved itself to be one of architectural merit, and worthy of tho important site upon which it stands. PROPOSED WORKS. The erection of a forry jetty off Waterloo quay at a cost of £1770 is now under contract, as is .also the work of supplying additional hydraulic gear for working coals at Jervois quay. An important matter under consideration is the desirability of erecting a wharf at Petone to replace the one owned by tho Gear Meat Company. Before long the Board will also have to obtain a new pumping-engine and boilerhouso and plant for the hydraulic installation. The decking and walings and braces of th» Railway Wharf will soon require renewing on a large scale, and Mr Ferguson has suggested to the Harbour Board that, when the time comes for this work to bo done, they should consider the expediency of widening the structure and transforming it into a wharf suitable for both road and railway traffic, and capable of permitting the largest ocean steamers to lie alongside to receive frozen meat and cargo direct from the railway service. A REMINISCENCE—TEMPUS FUGIT.

About 40 years ago—our old citizens will doubtless remember the incident well —a small steamer was seen entering the harbour. The excitement caused by her unexpected appearance was intense, and larjre numbers Hocked down to the beach. Those residents who did not possess telescopes waited eagerly for their turn to look at the strange vessel through the spyglasses of their more fortunate neighbours. The general opinion was that the steamer was a foreign man-of-war, but this supposition proved to be incorrect, for it turned out to be the s.s. Rlack Swan, from Sydney. Nous avons changu tout cela. Boutez en avant.' Nowadays, huge ocean liners arrive week after week, and hardly a more passing glance is bestowed on them. PRODUCTS, MANUFACTURES, COMMERCE AND ENTERPRISE. SOME DETAILS OP THE DISPLAY. Truly the difficulties that confront the man of notes are many *a ho stands pencil and book in hand fronting the fountain in the vestibule of the Exhibition, for tempting bits " just the thing " for a good article lay ready for description in every direction. The problem is : Where shall the beginning be ? for after No. 1 is decided upon, the rest follow as naturally as did the animals into the Ark—which, by the way, was tho first exhibition on record, international or provincial. The thoughts of the writer were re-echoed in the " which-sh—-which-sh —whioh-sh " of the falling waters of the playing and cooling fountain. Naturally the eye wandered upward, then roved round the walla, taking kinematographic impressions of pictures aud photos, and a quiet nook provided by the A.M.P. Society for folks whose bodies have grown weary with the mental strain of following the tempting will-o'-the-wisp hither and thither, instead of adopting a fixed plan of procedure and examination; and then the writer's eye was

oaught by the relieving black—for the dayis a bright one—offered by the exhibit of THE OBEYMOU'IH - POINT ELIZABETH CLAY AND COAL. CO. In the space allotted to this company—upon the immediate left of the turnstiles—are gathered exhibits of New Zealand essentially native to the soil and its foundations. They are the products brought up above by those who go down in the deep below. ,lhe bowels of the earth have been compassionate to the enterprise of the G.-P.E.C.C. Co., for have they not yielded up their stores of wealth untold? Not only coal, but clay has been turned to good account, and assumed many shapes at the potter's hands. Here are samples of goods which are being daily supplied by the Company to builders and contractors in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, New Zealand, to corporations, gasworks, railways, foundries, factories and households raw and ground fireclay, pressed and machine-made fireclay bricks, tiles and locomotive lumps, as well as a massive fireclay gas retort, weighing about 15cwt and measuring 9ft 3in x 21in x 15in, such as have been supplied to gas companies in this and neighbouring colonies. Then there are specimens of coal and coke—the famous Brunner coal, in every day and night use in these parts and abroad ; a bit of the coming household coal from the new 14ft seam at Seven-mile Creek, near Greymouth, which will be marketed shortly after the opening of the New f ear ; a sample of a newly-discovered seam of gas shale, technically known as Cannel coal, also from the lucky-number creek, pronounced by Sir James Hector, after a recent analysis, to be the best coal in Australasia ; and there remaineth yet to add the mention of some clinkers of Brunner coke, in which a large trade is done not only with New Zealand smelting and other works, but is also exported largely to Tasmania.

THE BRUNNER MINE. This property is situated at Brunnerton on the West Coast of the South Island, about eight miles from the town of Greymouth, with which it is connected by rail The area of the property is 1280 acres, and is now owned and worked by the Greymouth-Point Elizabeth Railway and Coal Company, Limited, an English company, of which Mr Alexander MacDougall, of Wellington, is managing director and attorney in the Colony. Mr James Bishop, M.E., is the Company's engineer and mine manager in charge of the mine and works on the West Coast. This mine has been worked since 1874. The total area of the coal land which has been worked is 230 acres, and the total quantity of coal raised to date is about 1,400,000 tons. The amount of coal still left in the mine is estimated at about 1,000,000 tons. Coal from this mine is now supplied in large quantities to all parts of the Colony, chiefly for steam and gas purposes. Its quality as a gas producing coal is recognised throughout the Colony, and as showing its steaming qualities it is only necessary to mention that during the present year upwards of 26,000 tons have been supplied to the Government Railways. POINT ELIZABETH, COA L CREEK AND SEVEN-

MILE CREEK COALFIELLS. The exhibits from this new coalfield comprise household and steam coal and samples of the gas shale. At the present time the Company is completing the construction of a line of railway five miles long to connect the mines with the port of Greymouth, and are also erecting a railway bridge across the Grey river. The area of the field is over 5000 acres. The Greymouth Point Elizabeth Railway and Coal Company have expended about .£50,000 during the last two years in connection with the purchase of the Brunner mine, the construction of their railway and bridge, and in the development of the mines at Camp Creek, Coal Creek, Seven-mile Creek and Point Elizabeth. For some time past upwards of 400 men have been employed in the working of the Brunner mine and the construction of those works. The railway and bridge works are being carried on by the Conroany themselves, the contracts for the supply of the materials required being let separately. The whole of the ironwork required for the Grey bridge is being supplied by Messrs Wm. Cable and Co., of the Lion Foundry, Wellington, whilst the hardwood required for the bridge has been obtained from Messrs Murray, Arnold and Co., of Grafton, Clarence river, New South Wales. The smaller items of iron material and stores are chiefly supplied by Mr Robert Forsyth, of Greymouth. THE AUSTRALIAN MUTUAL PROVIDENT SOCIETY. A quiet nook in, and yet out of, the madding crowd, that is the provision made by the popular " A.M.P." for the busy traveller through this bazaar. It is not only a thoughtful provision, this open room, from whence the weary, taking rest, may tee the passing show of living humanity ; but the quiet rest afforded by the seat leads the roving eye (mentioned above) to alight upon counterfeit presentments of many things which betoken the prosperity, the scope, the dignity of position, the reliability of this essentially colonial assurance company. The New Zealand Times has so often informed the public of the progress of the Society, and kept its readers in touch with its progressive ideas toid spread of influence and business, that one is hard put to it to add thereto. Here in the retirement of their sanctum, within hearincr of the splash of the water and the sound of the voices of children aa the> laugh over the fountain-play, those enquiring after "Actual Examples," " A Guide to Investment," and reports will find a ready supply of material provided at their elbow by the enterprising and thoughtful Society, whose motto overhead reads : 41 Amicus certua in re incerta." Mr Theo. H, Ritchey ia in charge of The Nook at present, and the public will find every courtesy —even if he should " take their lives " —at his hands. What need be said further; wha.t more can bo eaid ?

THE NEW ZEALAND CANDLE COMPANY. " A solid cylindrical yod, composed of some fatty substance, with a small bundle of loosely-twisted threads placed longitudinally in its centxo, and intended to burn slowly as a domestic light during the absence of the sun " That's the long way,, the manyhorded style of getting at our old familiar friend, the Candle; and if you want a still better and shorter way of becoming acquainted with "the solid cylindrical rod, after reading this article, go to the Exhibition, enter in the proper, the conventional "stile," turn not to the left, but hug your ritrht" aad when well down the aisle, then take a look to your left, and there you will find one of the best showcases in the building, containing the interesting exhibit of the New Zealand Candle Company. If you are fortunate enough to find Mr Mack on the spot, you will discover, after a short conversation, that there are more mysteries in a modern, up-to-date candle than you wot of.

local industries. The New Zealand Candle Co.'s works are situated at Kaiwarra, a suburb of Wellington, and adjoin Newton's soap factory. The buildings consist of a two-storied warehouse, in which the stock of manufactured candles is kept. Adjoining is the candle moulding room, and beyond this the engine house. The still room and press room are on the lower floor of the third section of the building, with the acidifying room above. Across the yard olein sheds, and glycerine refinery and box-making sheds are accommodated. The Company was started by a few energetic Wellington residents, with Mr John Newton at their head, in April of 1893, the capital then being only .£3OOO. It was soon ascertained that works of this nature could not be carried on successfully on small capital, and the Company is now working with a capital of £12,000. Although only three years old, its principal brands of candles (such as "Premier" and " British Sperm ") are exceedingly popular. The " Premier " candles are the lowest in price that can be made, being sold readily at 4.Vd per lb. The better class of candles, which are made of pataffine wax and stearinc, or, in some cases, of pure paraffine, compete successfully with English candles, both in price and in quality, some brands being sold at 6d per lb, as against 8d or 9d for English. The manager (Mr Mack) has elaborate appliances for testing and comparing his candles with the imported, and the melting points are always kept up to the standard. Within the last few weeks improvements have been arranged for in the wicks to be used in future : a new patent has been recently introduced to the market, which the Company immediately ordered, so as to keep its works quite up to date in all the improvements in candle-making. The present directors are Messrs H. Beauchamp, M. Kennedy, D. J. Nathan, N. Reid and E. Seagar, all foremost citizens arid business men.

Now for an examination of the contents of the fine showcase at the Exhibition. Here are candles of every make, shape and colour —candles white and. blue and pink, candles in primary colours and candles in all variety of tints ; candles long and candles short, thick and thin, coarse, fine and superfine ; in tallow and wax ; candles for house, church,

lodge and carriage. As to tho display of these articles, there are pyramids and squares, packets and boxes, piles bound and piles loose ; whilst oils in various stages, in the rough and also refined, are shown in glass dishes and bottles. At each end of the case are two machines, showing the candles in different stages of growth ; and any visitor interested further in the industry will find the courteous manager very willing to show him round the works at Kaiwarra and explain therein the mysteries of candlemaking. A strong point to the public in the display made by the Company should be the fact that evory item, with the exception of the central gitvnt, in the case is manufactured for ordinary orders at the works. Nothing is therein shown that cannot be supplied, and such as goes out and about the Colony every day in the week, and is retailed in the shops and stores of cities and suburbs. And in thi3 connection, in order to show the public that candles oan be made in Now Zealand much cheaper than they can be imported, prices of all brands have just been reduced id per lb, and having now seen for ourselves what the quality is, we are astonished to l&arn that English candles are still being used by some families. So much is the reward of some for local industry, enterprise and patriotism. But the great bulk of the people recognise the efforts of the Company, and the first-class quality of their goods. HATRICK AND CO. AND THE WONDERFUL WANGANUI. Immediately upon entering the Exhibition by the turnstiles, directly over the manager's and the committee rooms, is hung a set of 15 lovely enlarged photographs, the exhibit of Messrs A. Hatrick and Co., the enterprising touring managers for the YVauganui river. "On the Wanganui river—New Tourist Route," is their title to the set, and a sight of their beauties convinces one that he can scarce imagine a more charming way of getting to Auckland from Wellington than by this route. An especially fine centre photo shows the town of Wanganui in the background, the river encompassing it, and

half an hour over these pictures, wherein he sees Wanganui with all her beauty spots on— Moutoa Island, the much-painted Ngaporo, Pipiriki, Retaruke Reach, the Falls en the Ohura (a tributary of the Wanganui), the picturesque Maori settlement named Jerusalem, a lovely fern dale, with others equally lovely. One ceases to wonder at the enthusiasm of tourists and painters, when gazing on these scenes, and quite % clever study is that entitled " The Drop Scene," with the Maori girl in the foreground. Very high praise must be given to Mr A. Martin, the Wanganui photographer, for the artistic touch sho>yn in the series for which he is credited, and the Colony itself will be the gainer by this display in our Exhibition. The " hanging committee " are to be commended for placing the exhibit solconspicuously before the visitors. Yesterday morning supplied a proof of this, when a party of tourists, just arrived by the Gothic, spent quite a time examining the views, exclaiming the while such complimentary and enthusiastic terms as certainly should lead us to believe that Wanganui river will know these people beforo they quit our shores. THE N.Z. DAIRY UNION'S EXHIBITION OF BUTTER-MAKING. Wellington is peculiarly fortunate in the quality of the butter placed in her markets, and at such a very moderate rate that rich and poor alike can have their bread buttered, and even the most fastidious taste be satisfied. How butter is made was fully and practically shown in the Exhibition on fcaturday night in the space alloted to the New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union, and throughout the evening a large crowd was gathered round the exhibit, watching every movement of Manager Jam<ss Ycuug and his energetic assistants at the engine, the churn, the worker, the printer and the refrigerator. As shown on Saturday, there are half-a-dozen pieces of mechanism brought into the operation of making butter. The first and controlling influence (man isn't reckoned with for the purpose of this notice) is a Dougill's highpressure Otto gas-engine, which is used in driving all the other exhibits ; then the Do ' Laval Cream Separator; the Evcnden Light-

ning Churn (Mr Evenden is well known to our dairy folks), sent by tho patentees and manufacturers, the Chilled Butter Co., Melbourne, which has capacity for making 2001 bof butter ; the Worker, from the factory of Messrs Cherry, of Gisborne, Victoria, who do a world - wide business in the supply of dairy requisites ; the Printer (not of the genus who " set " this in type) is then applied when the butter is for town use ; and, final'y, the cooling influence of the Hall refrigerator is requisite for the storing of the finished article. On Saturday there was some little screw missing in the Be Laval separator—a circumstance which rarely happens — so, in order to keep faith with an expectant audience, Mr Young had cans of cream brought down from the town factory in Davis street, but as there are to be several practical displays, the separator will be seen in going order. Were it not that Mr James Young is of the never-say-die order of men, some obstacles met with in the getting ready of what is generally admitted to be tho most practical exhibit in the building would have sapped all his enthusiasm. There was the primary trouble of the Hall refrigerator, the English firm having prepared for the Exhibition a specially - made exhibit, and when _it arrived in this Colony —the agent sold it! Where to get another at such short a time as was at his disposal became tho problem. However, Mr Young did get another. Then having got the engine up, he wanted a special gas—and, unliko political candidates, tho manager is a quiet man. In this dilemma, Mr Brake, of tho Farrow Fountain Aerated Water Company, came to the rescue, and the steel Krupp tube which he so courteously brought along was an object of much curiosity as it stood, tall and silent, alongside the refrigerating engine.

RECORD-BREAKING ON THE TRACK. On the conclusion of the concert programme on Saturday night, sports by electric light

set out to reduce Shorland's record of 13rmn 32sec for the five-mile distance, and be accomplished it by a handsome margin, the time registered being 13min 13 2-ssec. The rider kept on going with the object of Pitting up a ten-mile record, and he pedalled the distance in 26min 31 3-ssec _ The rider, who was heartily cheered for his feat, rode the intermediate distances as follows -. JJirst mile, 2min 30sec ; 2nd, smm /sec ; 3rd, 7min 40sec ; 4th, lOmin 24sec ; sth, 3mm 3 2- osec; 6th, 15min 50sec ; 7th, ISmin 28sec;8th, 21min lOsec ; 9th, 23mm 54sec ; and 10th, 26min 31 3-ssec. Barker next unsuccessfully essayed to lower Mmr's record of 7min 34sec for the three-mile distance. The times registered by this rider in pedalling the distances were : —lst mile, 2mm 33sec- 2nd, smin 6sec ; 3rd, 7mm 40sec Messrs Kreeft, Marchbanks, Laurenson and Muir acted as timekeepers.

A NATIONAL CONCERT.

English music was drawn upon for the first national night of the series mapped out by the Musical Committee, given on Monday evenin"- in the concert hall, before an audience befitting the programme, which had been drawn up and was carried out under the direction of *Mr Kobert Parker, who introduced it with some apt remarks, and referred at intervals ;to items of special interest These " notes by the way" were of much value and lent an added interest to the contributions. In his selection Mr Parker exercised a musicianly taste, the delightful melodies of Old England Joeing brought chronologically along from 15G0 to 1598, in a couple of madrigals, through the 17th century, represented by the song "The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington," Mrs Burfoot being the interpreter ; from the ISth century there were half-a-dozen gems taken —" O Bid Your Ariel Ply," given by Madame Eveleen Carlton, who later on also gave ' Tell Mo, My Heart"; two glees, "The Anchor's Weighed" and "Tom Bowline, " by Mr K. B. Williams, and "The Death of Nelson " by Mr J. Murrell ; whilst our own century supplied selections from the works of Sir W. Sterndale Bennett, Sir J.Barnby and Sir Arthur Sullivan, the songs being sung by Messrs B. B. Williams

and J "VVhittall, and Mrs Burfoot's singing of " The Lost Chord," accompanied most affectively upon the organ by Mr Parker, received (by special exception) the only encore of the evening, although the applause to all the items was of the heartiest. A special feature was the singing of a mixed choir, some 25 strong, who gave tho madrigals, glees and part songs unaccompanied. Miss Dugdalo's contribution in the first part was some Shakespeare dances, composed by E German for Sir Henry Irving, and in the second a bracket of throe of Sterndale Bennett's compositions. The accompanists of tho evening wore Mrs Murrell, Misses Dugdale and Grant and Mr Parker.

The Exhibition concert hall was crowded on Thursday, when a good programme was presented, and greatly appreciated. The children were in great heart, and threw a lot of spirit into the difforent choruses allotted them. They gave, "Begone, Dull Car«," "The Blue Bells of Scotland," "Tho Harp That Once," " The Maypole Song " (encored), " Rule Britannia," and " The Laughing Song." Mr Hugh Wright gave "Ho, Jolly Jenkin," Miss Ross " The Flight of Ages," and Mr Harry Smith " See Yon Rose." Also, a recitation was contributed by Mr A. S. Paterson. Some of the items were encored. The entertainment, which afforded great pleasure to those who assisted at it, was brought to a close by tho children singing "Auld Lang Syne" and tho National Anthem. Mr Parker conducted, Mr Watkms presided at the organ and accompanied the songs. Miss Joan Parker accompanying the chddren's choruses. The Exhibition number of the New Zealand Times on Thursday was eagerly sought after, and, although a large extra, edition was printed, the whole issue was sold out an hour and a half after the office opened. The report, like all the Times reports, was a most complete one in every respect, and the Times staff were congratulated by the president of the executive and many others.

concert hall, Mr Hotop'B Orchestral Band contributing an overture, a concert polka, a waltz and a German inarch, all of which were fully appreciated by a large audience. The Maypole dance given by Mrs Francis' pupils from Mount Cook Infants' School was of special interest, the youngsters entering heart and soul, as well as feet, into the display, wherein their agility and staying power brought down the house. Not less interesting, and yet more novel, was the Living Chess Tournament between Mr C. W. Benbow (white) and Miss Benbow (black). White won. It is to be hoped Mr Benbow will repeat his exhibition later on, for it makes a decided attraction.

If any further evidence of the assured financial success of the Exhibition be needed by the public, it is supplied in the fact that 1250 season tickets have been issued to ladies and 700 to gentlemen. " Hall full" was the legend upon the doora of the concert hall before the programme was fairly started on Saturday night. That the items given mightily pleased ttie big audience was evidenced by the bursts of applause which greeted the selections, which comprised solos on the organ (Mr E. T. Morshead), the piano (Mr L. F. Watkins), the cornet (Mr L. T. King), as well as vocal items by Misa M. Johnston, and Messrs F. S. Pope, G. C. Hickson, Harold Widdop and E. T. Sayers. Additional attractions to the Exhibition are continually being added. Arrangements are now being made for an exhibit of trout from the Acclimatisation Society under the direction of Mr Ay ton. Glass-blowing will also I shortly be another feature, drawn from the I local factory. A decided change in the 3 comfort was noticeable throughout the buildings yesterday, but particularly in the concert hall in the evening. This is due to the shutters having been manipulated so as to enable them to be used as ventilators. The result now is that, even with a large audience, the temperature does not become uncomfortable. Several alterations and improvements have taken place in the lighting arrangements. A shadow cast over the Croft organ has been remedied by the fixing of the globe at an angle instead of hanging straight down. The large arc lights on the cycling track have also had shades put over them, which is also a shadow-remedy. At a meeting of the Exhibition Executive Committee held yesterday morning, Mr S. Brown in the chair, it was resolved to erect an exhaust .fan to dissipate the smell of cooking in the vicinity of the refreshment rooms. It was decidod to grant Messrs Maxton and Co. increased space for a bureau where visitors may write letters, purchase postage stamps and despatch telephone messages, but the firm were not permitted to use a part of the building as a bicyclo stand. As it was alleged that one of the exhibitors sold packets of tea and cups of coffee tc the visitors without a license, it was decided to communicate with him in the matter. A clonk room will be provided in No. G bay, next the D.I.C. exhibit. It was decided that entertainments in which children take part will in future only be held in the afternoons.

A presentation has been made to Mr George Bowers, the foreman of the Exhibition building works,jby the workmen who have been under his supervision, in the shape of a set of silver-mounted pipes, as a mark of goodwill and esteem. A substantial lunch o:? three courses can be obtained for Is at the Exhibition luncheon and refreshment rooms.

Mr Samuel Brown, president of the Executive, has writton as follows to LieutenantColonel Newall :—" I have great pleasure in being able to express to you, not only on my own behalf, but also en that of tho Executive, the gratification we all feel at the extremely satisfactory manner in which your arrangements on the occasion of the reception of the Governor at the opening ceremony of tho Exhibition yesterday were carried out. I desire to compliment the men also on their appearance and tfficiency, and I should be greatly obliged if you could convey to tho various corps the thanks of the Executive and the tenor of my remarks herewith." " A Guarantor " writes to us as follows : "Amid all the glare and praiso given to tho management and Executive for their great ability and foresight, I do not see any thanks or even a word of compliment to the real

backbone of the show, viz., tho guarantors, who stand to lose aboub .£2OO a piece should the affair turn out a failure. In fact, they have been treated with contempt, not even being invited to the opening."