CONVERSAZIONE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6272, 19 May 1881, Page 2

CONVERSAZIONE.

The third annual conversazione under the auspices of the Young Men’s Christian Association was held at rooms numbers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, at the Athenaeum Building on the 17tb. and was-an unqualified success. The whole of the rooms were tastefully decorated with flags, ferns and evergreens, and these intermingled with water-color and oil paintings, had a very pleasing and pretty effect, reflecting great credit to the persons who so artistically arrayed them. All the rooms were crowded during the evening, and the utmost interest was manifested by those prerent inspecting the numerous articles, both rcientific and otherwise, which were kindly lent to the Association. The members of the Association were most courteous to the public, and spared no pains in showing and explaining the use or the names, &c., of any of the articles placed under their care. Boom No. 10 contained scientific instruments of various kinds, including electric and galvanic batteries, microscopes, electrotypes, and a photograph. In this room there were also a rare collection of antiquated newspapers and periodicals, amongst which we may mention numbers of the London Times, printed as far back as with an account of the execution of Louis XYI. ; a Government Gazette, dated 1658, with a record of the death of Oliver Cromwell. In this department were also exhibited various coins struck off by means of electricity and galvanism. Boom No. 11 contained principally New Zealand curiosities; there were, however, several valuable curios from India, Japan, Fiji, &c. Amongst the Maori cariosities (for we presume he was a curiosity) was a venerablelooking old Maori close on 80 years of age. This ancient relic of Maori collections is, we understand, paid for his attendance. The old man looked quite pleased with a self-important smile on his venerable-looking face, as if he was one of the living wonders of the eighteenth century. In room No. 12 a choice collection of magic-lantern views was shown. This room was, of course, the centre of attraction for the juvenile portion of those present. Hoorn No. .15 was set aside as the reading room—this part of the conversazione was frequented by the elderly and more staid portion of the attendance. One curiosity in this room is probably worthy of record, viz., a large Eible bearing date 1666. In the large room the Evangeliatic choir at stated intervals sang a selection of Sankey and Moody’s anthems under the directorship of Mr. Frew. Ample refreshments were provided, and the caterer, Mr. Godber, met with very liberal support. We must not forget to mention Mr. Boss, the secretary of the Association;, who was most untiring in bis exertions in rendering all possible information to those who visited the entertainment. The number of people who paid for admission during the evening was estimated at between 300 and 400 and so satisfied were all present with the variety of exhibits and the excellence of the gathering, that the committee wisely determined to continue the “ show ” next night.