NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.
THE OPENING CEREMONY. There was considerable bustle amongst the various exhibitors and their representatives on Saturday, August 1, and a great deal of preparatory arrangements were effected in a short space of time. The scene outside was quite in keeping with what was taking place in the interior of the building. All the leading thoroughfares were thronged with people, many of them being visitors who had come from a considerable distance to see the Exhibition. Tho mid-Jay train from Wairarapa brought down a large number, 150 of whom came from the other aide of the Rimulaka. At 1 o’clock the Exhibition buildings were cleared of visitors and exhibitors, and another contingent was thus added to the large concourse outside. For a short time there appeared to be a lull, consequent on the luncheon boar, bat at half-past I o’clock there was a large assemblage of people in front of the building, and the footpaths along Lambton quay and Willia-atreet were crowded. There was an almost entire 1 absence of outward display, very few flag* 1 flying either on the ships in harbor, on warehouses, on hotels, or on private buildings, Wellington never had a much better opportunity of proving to outsiders that the charge so often made against it of being deficient in enthusiasm was quite a mistaken idea. Very little effort was made, however, to remove the stigma. Some of the Auckland people remarked, “ If wo only had the chance, we would have shown them how to open this Exhibition and visitors from Christchurch and Duuedia were equally confident they could have done very much better. Those who watched the progress of the Exhibition did not anticipate much enthusiasm, though they were quite satisfied that if the commuuity aa a whole (including the various Committees) bad been relied on, and called more into the counsels of tho Executive Committee, a great deal of enthusiasm might have been evoked. The various trades and friendly societies would have been only too glad to cooperate had they bseu invited. But even the Committees, although called into existence by the will of the Executive, were entrusted with aa little administrative powers as possible, and several of these bodies refrained from meeting together when th*y found it impossible to get a clear idea of the duties they were supposed to perform. They, in fact, refused to be burdened with the honors with out the responsibilities. These facts are well known to Wellington residents. On several occasions attention was publicly drawn to the anomalous position that these Committees occupied, and to the mystery which hedged in the Executive. It is only necessary to refer to them again because of the criticisms of many visitors to our city. Had the Committees asked to superln f ead the opening arrangements, the unseemly scuMe which took place on Saturday would not, in all probability, have occurred. Dr Hector and Mr Callis worked very hard all through ; but after all they were only two men, and could not perform the work of a dozen, After the Exhibition building was cleared, it was handed over to Izspector Shearmau, who took charge of it, but the force which ha had at his disposal was not able to keep back the crowd which rushed in soon after the gates were re-opened. A company of Volunteers or Armed Constabulary ought to have been p'aced along the main entrance, In order to keep a clear passage. Sir Julius Vogel, Mr Stout, and Mr Buckley were early in attendance, but Mr Ballance and Mr Larnach only reached the seats reserved for them after considerable difficulty ; whilst Mr Tole, the Chief Justice, members of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives, as well as other distinguished personages, had to walk about the building whilst the inaugural ceremony was going on,
THE QOVERStOB'S ARRIVAL. At 2.25 p.m. the turnstiles in front of the main entrance were taken away and the gates were closed. A few momenta afterwards the flag at Government House denoted that His Excellency had started for the Exhibition. A salute of seventeen guns was immediately Seed by the Artillery, which corps had been stationed on the reclaimed land. With his usual punctuality the Governor, Lady Jervois, and suite, escorted by the Heretaunga Light Horse, arrived in front of the building at 2.30 p.m. The Heretaunga Light Horse formed up on the left, and the Naval Artillery, who formed the guard of honor, on the light, the Governor’s carriage passing in between, whilst the Garrieon Band played 11 God Save the Queen. 11 “ Make way for His Excellency the Governor ” was shouted out, but it proved rather difficult. About five minutes must have elapsed beforethe gubernatorial party were able to reach the dais, erected for the reception of His Excellency in front of the orchestra. By that time several ladies in the throng were in a fainting condition, and had to leave the building. There must have been at least 2000 people in the concert-hall and in the entrance passage, and no crowd could have been packed more closely together. Notwithstanding all discomforts, although it was generally felt that all inconveniences might have been easily avoided by a little more forethought, the visitors were as good-humored as it was possible to be under sueh circumstances. As the Governor took his seat, the scene was a very animated one, the dresses worn by the ladies of the Exhibition Festival Choir adding a great charm to the tout ensemble. Indeed, it was a scene not likely to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The National Anthem was played by the organ, just as the strains died away from the Garrison Band ou the outside of the Building, and as the Governor passed down the hall the words were sung by the choir. His Excellency was received at the door by Lient.-Coionel Pearce (Chairman af the Ceremonial Committee), and Mr G. Pisher, M.H.R., Mayor of the city (Chairman of the Committee of Aid and Advice). The Wellington Guards, under the command o : Major Batts and Captain Loveday, lined the passa e on either side, whilst flags of all nations were profusely hung overhead. The arch at the entrance to the concert hall was nicely draped with blue, red, and old gold, with the rising sun for a background, this portion of the work being executed by Mr E, B, Haughton, who was entrusted with the decorations. Around the archway the words “ Advance New Zealand ” were printed in large white letters on a red ground. The splendid exhibits of the Roslyn, Mosgiel, and Kaiapoi woollen mills, together with those belonging to the New Zealand Clothing Factory and to Messrs Wilson and Richardson, which were placed along the main entrance, added to the general effect. The whole scene was one of which colonists might well feel proud. Amongst the visitors were Mr Waddell, Mayor of Auckland, and Mr Halbert, Mayor of Christchurch. Several Consuls and Consular agents appeared in uniform. THE MUSICAL ACCESSORIES.
In good time before the commencing of the inaugnral ceremony, the vocal and instrumental forces, under the direction of Mr Robert Parker and Mr Hantrie West, assembled in the orchestra seats in front of the organ and on either side. The performers were not nearly so numerous as had been expected, and a large array of vacant seats appeared. The Ddy singers were all requested to wear cream dresses, with sashes of blue or red, according as they belonged to the soprano or the contralto division. This is in accordance with the practice in England at public festivals, notably at the Royal Albert Hall, where the lady members of the fine musical society associated with that Hall all wear white or cream dresses, while the soprani and contralti are distinguished by pink or pals blue sashes, all being in the one case worn over the right sboalder and in the other over the left shoulder. The effect is particularly symmetrical and striking, where so largo a number of vocalists are taking part. On Saturday, the general result in this respect was good, bat was much marred by some of the performers not wearing the prescribed sashes, thus spoiling the uniformity. There, also, had evidently been no proper nnderstanding as to the breadth of ribbon or tho shade of colour, and the consequence was that those sashes were generally much too broad, and the colors often too dark while the variety of shades—ranging from the
palest to the deepest hues, and some having all the shales in one sash—was unfortunate as regarded the artistic effect. However, these are errors of detail which doubtless will-be corrected on future occasions. Of the musical performance itself it may be said in general terms that both the vocalists and instrumentalists acquitted themselves very creditably. There were no slips of any consequence or prominence, and aa a rule there was a satisfactory amount of crispness and precision alike in time and tune. The only disappointing feature was the comparatively small volume of a ;und prodneed by so large a number of executants. This was by no means equal to expectation », or to what has been heard in Wellington on former occasions from a much smaller body of executants, and one cannot help suspecting that a considerable number of the choralists were singers only in name, and contributed only their pre£enoe, without doing much, if anything, to swell the harmonious sounds produced by their neighbors. However this may be. the fact remains that there was not anything like such a volume of sound as there should have been, the tenor and bass parts being especially weak as compared with the soprano and contralto. This was particularly noticeable in the choral opening of Richard Wagner’s magnificent march and chorus from ‘ Tannheeuser,” when the voices' were quite swallowed up by the band, instead of ringing out *s they ought to have done in that bright and tuneful strain. And, perhaps, the lack of combined strength was chiefly observable in the “ Hallelujah “ chorus, which should have told with immense effect, but which in reality did not in force equal many previous Wellington performances of that well-known chorus. Possibly the building may not have been favorable, when densely packed, to acoustic effect, for the organ, although sweet and pleasing in tone, seemed also to lack power. It will bs observed that our criticisms have related aolely to the question of force, and, in truth, there was very little else to criticise at all adversely, The two conductors, who alternately wielded the ; baton and presided at sbe organ, had evidently taken great pains in the preliminary drillings, and they may fairly be congratulated upon the excellent manner in which their forces acquitted themselves, while they also may be complimented upon the skill with which each gentleman performed his part aa conductor and organist respectively. The musical portion of the ceremony commenced, as a matter of course, with the National Anthem, first played by the orchestra and thou sung by solo voices and chorus. Wagner’s supnb choral march from “ Tanuhaauser,” already alluded to, followed. This was a peculiarly appropriate selection, being the pain of greeting to the “Hull of Soog,” where the competitive trials were to be held, the choi us bting supposed to be sung by the ladies and knights aa they enter in procession. The first words, in the English translation, “ Hail ! Bright Abode,” suggest the prevailing sentiment. The music is perfectly melodious with rich and varied harmonies, never modulating into remote, tonalitities, but preserving throughout the preponderance of the bright key in which the movement is written—that of B (or as the Germans call it, “H") major. The soprano and contialto voices told out splendidly in this chorus, notably iu the swinging melody with which they enter, and which has a curious reraioiscencaof Weber and “Der Freiscbutz” about it, although it might not have been safe to suggest this to the composer. The band manifestly revelled in the march, which they played admirably, the brass being remarkably clear and resonant. Of the concluding chorus, the well-known “ Hallelujah,” from Handel’* oratorio, “The Messiah,” we have spoken already. Between those two were interposed three very fine choruses of Handel, all new to Wellington. These were, (1) “ Grown with festal pomp the day,” from “ Hercules,” a thoroughly characteristic Haodelian movement, abounding in the broad diatonic effects for which that great master is so famous; (2) the grind chorus from “ Saul,” “ How excellent thy name,” a still finer and more familiar work; and (3) one of the “ Passions ” choruses from “ Solomon,” “ Music, spread thy voice around,” this being part of a musical entertainment supposed to bi given by King Solomon to his royal guest the Quean of Sheba, and being one of a series of choruses in which mufic is employed to illustrate various passions and sentiments. It is very beautiful, and was extremely well sung. Mr Parker “ played out ” the audience with a sparkling and melodious march on the new organ. The musical performance on the whole deserves much praise, and may fairly be accredited as a success. Unluckily, it could not be heard with any distinctness beyond the limits of the seated area, and so a vast number of persona who were present at the opening ceremony, but unable to find seats, were disappointed of their anticipated musical pleasure. We venture to suggest to tho.*e in authority that a repetition of the inaugural music would be very acceptable, and would be greatly appreciated by the public.
THE SPEECHES. Sir Julius Vogel said he greatly appreciate! the honor allowed him in asking His Excellency the Governor to open the Exhibition. He felt that the honor ought to have been given to his colleague the Premier, in his stead, but that gentleman, with the generosity which characterised his every action, declined to act. This Exhibition, ha might inform His Excellency, was not the first by many that had been held in New Zealand, but it was the first ever held under the control of the Colony, .This Exhibition was owing, ho believed, to the members of both Houses, and the interest they took in the Colony and its productions. Thera might be many differences of opinion as to the best and most desirable mode of stimulating those industries, but all sides were unanimous in the desire to aid them. We in this Colony were like a collection of Robinson Orusoes who had come to the country with the view of making the most out of its products. We were more fortunate than the jKobiusou who delighted us in our childhood, because we received a great deal in the way of outside assistance. The Colony had a good climate, a prolific soil, and abundance of water and coal; its isolated position afforded a sure pro. tection to its industries, and therefore the view was held throughout, the Colony that New Zealand was destined to become a large producing and manufacturing country. He did not think the Colony had done badly ; for he ascertained, after careful consideration recently, that at so late a date as the 31st March, 1883, the net value of property in the Colony, after discharging all debts, was £27,000,000. Not bad work, he thought, for balf-a-million 'of people in one generation; and that was exclusive of the property of the Maoris. It would not be right on an occasion like this to forget that in the Native race, now that all difficulties had been surmounted, they had a race of people which promised to assist the reputation of the Colony ; a race whose physical power they knew well, and whose mental powers must make them remarkable among mankind. The present Exhibition was designed to show what amount of progress had been made up to thepresenttimein the industrial development of the Colony, and to serve ai an index of future development when they had, as he hoped they would have, further exhibit tioua from time to time. His Excellency would agree with him that it was especially desirable that the members of both Houses of the Legislature should be litre to take under their notice the existing development of the Colony, and to judge what improvements could be made. Therefore he thought that it was peculiarly gratifying that on this occasion they had present the President of the Legislative Council, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and neatly ail the members of both Houses. He was sure he was only stating the fact when he said it would be specially gratifying, not only to those who were there that day, bat also to those who, in distant parts of tho Colony, were watching the Exhibition; and His Excellency could say, without indulging in compliment, that be thought that this Exhibition did credit to the industry and labor of the people of New Zealand. He should not refer to the Exhibition to be held shortly of tfie industrial portion, because he could only say that at present the Exhibition represented what might be done by energy and capital, while the other portion would represent what might be done by labor and industry alone. He might be allowed to say that they were indebted in the first place to Dr Hector, whose efforts had been unwearying and untiring in the performance of a vast amount of work, and who bad spared no pains to make the Exhibition a success. He had also to say that they were under a great obligation to Mr Cailis and Mr Keyworth, who bad shown great aptitude and energy in the performance of thsir work. This Exhibition was remarkable as being virtually the result of efforts made gratuitously by local committees in various|parts of the Colony, who had greatly assisted in carrying out the undertaking in an economical manner. It remained only tor him to say that the presence of the members of both Houses, officera of the State, including the mayors of some of the principal cities, and the inhabitants oi the seat of Government, gratifying. They were gratified at the presence of Lady Jervois and His Excellency. His Excellency had created eo large a place in the feelings of the people of the Colony, that ha believed he expressed their feelings when he said ha hoped this would not be the last occasion on which
His Excellency would render such a service to New Zealand. He now asked His Excellency to declare the Exhibition open. His Excellency said :-*The duty now devolves upon me of formally declaring the Industrial Exhibition open, and I do so with the greatest pleasure, for I maintain that tho undertaking which we are here to inaugurate, and which will, X trust, be the first of many gatherings of the sort, marks an era of New Zealand. I have watched the progress of the Exhibition day by day, and I feel certain that m >ny visitors to it will learu with surprise——l may almost say with astonishment—how much energy and skill are displayed by the various cities and districts of the (Jolony. The labors of those who have been engaged in the preparation of this work will not assuredly be thrown away if the result of it is the promotion of cordial co-operation and friendly unanimity between all who can look with pride on what the country, as a whole, has achieved. It mast strike any one who examines the products around us that we are rapidly coming to the time when tho Colony will be so far developed as to afford a field for many talents, in whatever direction—whether scientific, literary, medical, or artistic—it may develop itself. No doubt this Exhibition is small when compared with tho magnificent collections which have been displayed elsewhere, but then it ought not to be compared to those vast “ world’s fairs which have been celebrated from time to time eiace the idea was first originated by the late Prince Consort in 1351, but to the national Exhibitions which have been held in the various capitals of Europe at irregular intervals throughout the present century ; whilst, whether we consider the value of the articles shown here or the number of exhibitors, the proportion to the population of the Coljjny is larger than that of the Exhibition of 1851 was to the population of the United Kingdom of that date. I would not, however, let it bo supposed that anything Ihit mi/ be done in the way of exhibitions here can free us from—may I say duty?—of taking part in the greater Exhibitions of Europe. It is important that the dwellers in all parts of the Colony should realise the progress that the whole is making ; but it is essential to the development of New Zealand as a producing country and a country which seeks an increased population that the outside world should have a correct idea of the history, fernery, fertility, and general capabilities of and beautiful country. So early aa 1351, when the English population of Now Zealand did not amount to more than 25,000 souls, and the colonial revenue was not £50,000, I find that no less than 43 exhibitors connected with New Zealand took part in the London International Exhibition. What cannot ba done with a population of halt a million and industries developed as we see them here to-day ? A year ago, when lecturing not far from this spot, I spoke about the alarming increase in the deatruotive power of the various implements of war. It is a snujsot of gceat_ interest, though a lamentable one to the soldier no less thau'the civilian, when we consider how much good might have been done if only the labor and ingenuity which have been used in devising implements of destruction could have been directed into peaceful channels, but it is a matter of congratulation that in New Zealand at at least we know the weapons of war only as a means of ensuring peace. lam happy to think that during tho past few months I have been able to turn my professional knowledge to account by assisting to shield this country, its people, and its commerce against the evils that might result from attacks by a hostile Power. But it is a greater pleasure to me to bs here to-day to take my place as Her Majesty’s representative in the formal inauguration of the first New Zsaiand IndustriaUSxhibition. We cannot, it is true, unlock the treasures of a bye-gone age ; the historical collections which have formed so interesting a part of the Exhibitions of Europe mast be wanting to this young community. But we now see around us the trophies of a happy and a useful present, the products of a free and industrious and a progressive nation “ Harvest tool and husbandry, Loom and wheel and enginery, Secrets of the silver mine, Steel and gold, and corn and wine.”
And may we not—despite the great armies which burden tho civilised nations of tho world, and despite the war-clouds which scarcely yet have passed away—see also some reason Co hope that the aims and a-pirations which prompted tho late Prince Ooasort, and those who with him planned tho great Exhibition of 1851, are to some extent being fulfilled; that the narrow barriers which divided nations and commnnities in former times are being slowly broken down by religion, education; and enlightenment; and that we are gradually moving onwards to the time when each man shall
“ Find his own in all men’s good, And all men work in noble brotherhood."
At the close of his speech, which was loudly applauded, the Governor called for three cheers for the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition, which were heartly responded to. His Excellency leading iu the moat enthusiastic manner. Throa cheers were then given tor the Governor in the same hearty fashion, and after three cheers for Sir Julias Vogel, and the “ Hallelujah Chorus ” by the choir, the company dispersed round the building. The Governor, Lady Jervoia, and suite then took their departure, the Guards presenting arms inside and the Wellington Navals outside the building.
THE BUILDINGS. Although the buildings have been very minutely described from time to time in our columns, it will not be altogether out of place to give a few particulars just now. Tho total area of land enclosed by the buildings is 84,000 ft; the area of ground covered by the buildings is 64,200 ft; and the floor space available throughout the building! is 71,000 ft. As the main building is not to be a permanent one, no particular style of architecture has been observed. The utilitarian point of view has been more considered than the architectural. Whatever style there is may be considered as belonging to the Italian school. Mr Beatson, of the Public Works Department, who designed it, had to consider how he could get the largest building foe the least possible outlay. As tho buildings now stand, they are considerably larger than was at first intended J yet the total outlay will not probably exceed £5,500. The length of the building facing Stout-street is 511 ft. The height from floor to ceiling is 20ft; the building being covered by lean-to roofs, with sidelights, Bft in height, the glass being 4ft 9in The average depth of the main building is 125 ft. The roofs are supported by wrought iron story posts, railway icon being used for that purpose. The building has been put to soma severe testa by several violent gales, bat ones the preliminary work was got over, no difficulty whatever was experienced. The outside of the building,Jwhich is 30ft in height to the top of the parapet, is composed of galvanised iron, relieved by wooden pilasters 14ft apart, finished off with a wooden cornice, parapet, and cantilevers or trusses. The main corridor is both spacious aud lofty, the height being 38ft, with 12ft awing doors. A clock has been fixed in the pediment hy Messrs Littlejohn aud Sons, whilst a flagpost, 32ft in length, aids to the general effect. Six doors opea into the street, so that no feats need be enter, tainad in case of fire. There is a spacious courtyard, in which tho electric light will be fixed at a height of 100 ft, and there are annexes all round connecting with the main building. These are 18ft in depth by 13ft in height, and are set apart for agricultural implements, coal, pottery, drain tiles, etc. The lighting and ventilation of the building have been very successfully combined, the vitiated air escaping over the side-lights, of which there are seventeen in the building. The drainage has also been well looked after. Thera ate cloak-rooms aud lavatories for ladies and gentlemen, exhibits being placed between. The contractors, Messrs Slurdoeh and Rose, commenced work at the latter end of March, and pushed everything vigorously ahead, in spite of the drawback of wintry weather. They are now erecting ticket boxes at the main entrance. These will be finished to-day, and Messrs Murdoch and Rose will thou have completed all the “ extras ” in connection with their contract. The groundfloor of St. George’s Hall is set apart for refreshments, the art gallery being on the first floor, which is connected by a staircase leading from the main building. There is a hand-rail dividing, so that persons going to the gallery will pass up at one side, and those coming down on the other. The buildings are spacious, lofty, and well lighted, and, when everything is in order, will present a very imposing appearance. Ballance-street has been enclosed altogether; whilst St. George’s Hall, the Diillahed, and Dr. Newman’s warehouse have been annexed to the main building. There will be about 750 gas-jets in the various spaces, independent of those which exhibitors will put up. In the main building there are 330 jets, in the art gallery 100 jets, in the Driilshed 180 jets, and in Messrs Zohrab and Newman’s warehouse 60 jets. The gas-fittings have been very aatiafactoiily carried out by Messrs S. Dank) and Son, who had the work completed in less than a fortnight after the contract was let, although it was considered rather doubtful whether it could be dona within the three weeks specified. Several exhibitors will use the electric light, and there wi]| be an electric lamp at the main entrance, and also one ja the concert hall,
THE ORGAN. The organ which is in ns* at the Exhibition U exhibited by Mr A. J. White, cabinetmaker, Christchurch, Mr hi H. Jenkins, of the same city, being the builder. Mr Jenkins haa built several organs which nr* uow ia use in the Colony. One is In Ss Marv’s Church, Merivale, which was previously used in the Christchurch Cathedral f.»r about four months. Thera ia one of Mr Jenkins’ organa at Holy Trinity Church, Avonside ; one at St Mark’s Church, Opawa ; and one at the Wesleyan Church, Lytfceltm Mr Jenkins also rebuilt and enlarged the organ at St John’s Church, Christchurch Two of his organs are in use at the Church of England and Wes'eyau Churches, Kaiapoi, besides others which were built for private house?, so that Mr Jenkins has had very considerable experience. Mr White haa displayed great zeal and gone to considerable expense for the encouragement of this branch of Colonial industry, believing that the organ built for the Exhibition will tend to materially diminish the large importation of organs which every year takes place in the Colony. The Exhibition organ is a double manual instrument, with full compass of pedals. It was used for the first time on Thursday last week, and, though in an unfinished stats, excited general admiration, The following is the full specification : Great Organ. —Compass, CO to G in alto; 56 notes.
1. Open diapason—Metal, Sft ; CC to G ; 56 pipes, 2. Stopped base and clarebella—Wood, Sft; CO to G; 5G pipes. 3. Dulciaua— Metal, Sft; CC to G; 56 pipes. 4. Principal—Metal, 4ft; CC to G ; 56 pipes. 5. Elute—Wood, 4ffc : CC to Or ; 56 pipes. 6. Twelfth—Metal, 3ft: CC to G; 56 pipes. 7. Fifteenth—Metal, 2ft ; CO to G; 56 pipes. Swell Organ —Compass CO to G; 56 notes. 1. Double Diapason—Wood, ICft; tenor Cto G; 44 pipes. _ t 2. Open Diapason—Metal, Sft; tenor C to G; 44 pipes. 3. Lieblich-gedacht—Wood, Sft; CO to G; 56 pipes. _ 4. Garaba—Metal, Sft; tenor C to G; 44 pipes. _ 5. Principal—Metal, CC to G ; 56 pipes. 0. Flute—Wood, 4ft; CO to G; 56 pipes, 7. Fifteenth—Metal, 2ft ; CC to G ; 56 pipes. 8. Cornopian—Metal, Sft; CO to G; 06 pip o3 - _ 9. Hautboys—Metal, Sft; "Tenor Cto G; 44 P Ipedal Organ—Compass, COO to F; 30 notes. 1. Open Diapason—Wood, 16ft; CCC to E; 30 pipes. 2: Bourdon—Wood, 16ft; CCC to F; 30 pip o3 * _ 3. Principal—Wood, Sft; COO to F; 30 pipes. Couplers and Accessory Stops— l. Swell to Great; 2. Great to Pedals 8. Swell to Pedals; 4. Great Organ Super-Octave; 5. Swell Organ Tremulant.
There are three Composition Pedals to the Great Organ,
The stops marked Double Diapamn In the swell organ, the Twelfth in tha great organ, and the Open Diapason aud Principal iu the pedal organ are at present only prepared for, but the pipjs can be added at any future time. The organ was built for the Exhibition, aud not for any special purpose. The principal parts, more especially those which require durability and strength, have been made of different varieties oi New Zealand timber, which was thoroughly seasoned aud carefully selected. The more delicate portions of the mechanism have bsen made of Sydney cedar and American clear pine. Nearly the whole of the materials have been the products of local industries, colonial-made leather and glue being used as well as timber. In fact, it haa been the aim of the exhibitor add the builder to use as little as possible of any kind of Imported materials. The case U in Gothic style, richly ornamented and carved. The front ornamental pipes are composed of the lower notes of the Open Diapason and Dulciana stops, symmetrically arranged, and illuminated in golden colors. Great care has been taken in bushing all centres and bearings, in order to insure silent action in playing. The whole of the mechanism has been varnished, to protect it from atmospheric change?. The organ ia undoubtedly one of the great features of the Exhibition.
PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF EXHIBITS. Going in by the main entrance, and moving along the passage leading to the organ in the Drillsbed, there ia a magnificent display of colonial-made clothing, tweeds, flannels, shawls, ruga, &c. The New Zealand Clothing Factory and the Mosgiel Woollen Factory occupy the left-hand side ; the Roslyn and Kaiapoi Mills, and Messrs Wilson and Richardson, being on the other side. The exhibits along that passage would do credit to any country in the world. It cabinet-making and house furnishing there is a very fiue display. Mr J, L. Kimbell is doing the honors for Wellington. Mr A. J. White, Christchurch, has an elaborately carved rimu mantelpiece, richly carved Queen Anne sideboard, an octagon library table, drawingroom suites, &c. Messrs North and Sconlar, Dunedin, have fitted op and furnished three compartments in a very elaborate style with drawing room, dining-room, and bedroom furniture. The general effect will be heightened by the electric light, tha lamp being in itself highly artistic and in keeping with the general surroundings. The Dunedin Iron and Woodware Factory Company have three or four compartments fitted np in fine style, and will also use the electric light. Mr. W. Norrie, of Auckland, exhibits a°very beautiful wardrobe, which he terms the Princess, no less than twenty-five samples of New Zealand wood being used in its construction, some being really beautiful, one resembling fern leaves. This will be afterwards sent to the Colonial Exhibition to be held in London. Messes Ooltnaa (Wanganui), W. Hooker (Christchurch), and Charles Effey (Christchurch) have also forwarded some very fine suites of furniture ; whi ! ab Messrs Garlick and Cranwill, sent down an elaborately carved mantelpiece. In ironwork, Messrs Scott Bros., of the Atlas Engineering aud Manufacturing Comp\ny, have a grand collection of horizontal and vertical steam engines, self-acting steampump, cooking ranges with polished nickel work, slow • combustion stove?, bronzed warden seats, umbrella stands, ceiling centres, &0., the whole being enclosed with a great variety of verandah work, embracing designs of every conceivable shape. Mr T, Crompton, Christchurch, has a good display of stoves. The Wellington Gas Company has a variety of gas stove*, meters showing internal workings, and photometers for testing the quality of gas, Mr Gaby has an exhibit of his asbestos stove.
Iu plumbers’ work, Messrs A and T. Burt, Dunedin, have a splendid diiplay—one of the many special features of the Exhibition. An experienced plumber stated that he had seen nothing better at the great Exhibition in London, MrT. Banks, Christchurch has also a very good display, Mr T, Ballinger, Willisstreet, has a fine show of gas-fittings, baths, &c. Messrs Ballinger Bro!., Waring Taylorstreet, aud Mr X. Crompton, Christchurch, will have good displays of spouting, ridging, &o. In machinery, Mr Bernasconi, Caba-street, has a combination machine of his own invention, in which a fretsaw, handsaw, drillingmachine, circnlar-saw, lathe, grindstone, and vyoe are combined, the whole of which can be worked by a treadle, gas, or water power. Mr S. K.ohn, jeweller, shows a machine for stamping msdals ; Messrs Luke and Son, a very fine horizontal engine, The display of agricultural implements is exceedingly good, Messrs Reid and Gray, Dunedin, Messrs P. and D. Dnncan, Christchurch, the New Zealand Implement Company, Dunedin, and Messrs Andrews and Bsavan, Christchurch, being the principal contributors. In leather, grindery, and saddlery, Wellington takes very a prominent position, Mr A. Tyer, Ngahanranga, Messrs C, Greatrex and Son, and Mr J. E. Evans having very fine displays. Mr W. Wiggins, and Messrs Henry Brace and Co., Auckland, have good displays of ’saddlery ; whilst Messrs Bowera Bros., Christchurch, have a good show of bookbinders', hatters’, and cabinetmakers’ leathers. Mr France, Dunedin, and Mr G. Hatfield, Auckland, have forwarded very good exhibits of portman’oms. In preserved moats, game, fish, &c., the Gear Meat Company show a very large collection, including meats, soups, fish, and a frozen sheep. Messrs H. Ellaby and Co., Auckland, and the Wellington Meat Company have also sent very good samples. Messrs Foster and Gosling have forwarded tinned rabbit and game; the Picton Fish Curing Company, red and picklei herrings; Messrs Masefield and Sons, Kaipara, some of their excellent tinned mullet. , In biscuits and confectionery, the Wellington Biscuit and Confectionery Company has one of the finest displays in the building. Mr J. By croft, An.-Hand, has sent down 83 d'Sereot varieties of biscuits. Messrs Anisebrook and Co., Christchurch, have also a very good collection. Messrs Wilson and Son, and MrD. Wighton, Wellington, have sent excellent samples of confectionary. Messrs Griffin and Sons, Messrs 8. Kirkpatrick and Co., and the Anchor Company, Nelson, and Mr P. J, Newbury, Dunedin, are also contributors in this class. la” coffees, spices, &0., Mr E. H. Crease,
Wellington, has a good exhibit at the foot of the staircase leading up to the art gallery, Mocsra W. Gregg aud Co., Dunedin ; Mcesrs Ditchfield and S 'U, Nel-’on ; Mr Strarg, InvercargM ; and Messrs AiOsebrook and Co,, Christchurch, are well represented. In wedding cikes Mr J. Godbcr, who ajjpears to be the only exhibitor, has a nice display. In preserved fruit*, jams, &c,, Messrs Hollaed Bro*., Petoue, havo a good collection. Mrs H. D. Knight, Taranaki, has sent a very good sample. The exhibits of Messrs S. Kirkpatrick, and Co., Nelson, nuj that of Mer-sra Masefield and Sons, Kaipara, are excellent. The Anchor Company, Nelson, Messrs Hudson, and Mr IT. Driver, Thames, have valuable exhibits, marmalade being seat by the latter.
In sauces, preserve?, &c., there is a varied collection from different parts of the Colony, Mr F. Whitlock, Wanganui ; the Pickling and Preserving Company, Christchurch ; the Anchor Company, Nelson ; Messrs Beetbam and Co., Henderson, Aucklabd ; Messrs S. Kirkpatrick and C>., and W. Ackerston, Nelson ; Messrs Lees and Co., Auckland ; the Maclean Pickling Company, Christchurch ; Mr H. L, Koefuld, Thames ; Mr A. Tyer, Auckland ; and Mr F. M. Gordon, Oamaru, are amongst the contributors. The sauces and pickles are of a very varied description. In wines, cordials, mineral mid, waters, &c., the Colony is well reprosanu-I Mr J. Soler, Wanganui, and Messrs O. Lovet aud Son, Kaipara, have sent samples of excellent colonial wines ; whilst Me D. Blunck, Hokitika, his forwarded a varied collection of fruit wine?, Mr P. J. Preston, Mr J. Maginnity, Messrs Strike and Hamilton, Mr J. L. Bacon, Mr J. Strike, Mrs Cooper, Mr* Dixon, and Messrs J. W. Peer and Co, Wellington; Mr J. Thomson, Mastertou ; Mr J. Gom : z, Bulla (Raogitikei) ; Messrs GUbard and Co., Napier; Mr A. Rayner, Blenheim ; Mr A. Peel, To Aroha ; aud the Maclean Company, Christchurch, are exhibitors in this dais. Some of the exhibits are very nicely arranged. Mrs Disou shows some wines which were at the Sydney Exhibition. In ales, stouts, &c., Mr J. Maginnity, Mr Preston, and Messrs Vincent and Co., Christchurch, appear to have this class to themselves.
In honey and apiary appliances, Mr J. O. Firth, Matanata, Auckland, has sent splendid samples of honey, and Mr Adam% Hawkea Bay, haa also a very good exhibit, Messrs H, H. Hay© and Co, Auckland, and Messrs Bagnall Bros., Thames, have exhibits of Langatroth hives and honey extractors, one of the Utter being capable of extruding 40lb of honey at one time. In hosiery, Mr T. Wanganui, and Mr G. Pickard, Auckland, appear to be the only competitors. Their samples aro excellent. In millinery, the di*pUy is a very poor one, Messrs Litchfield and Sou, Blenheim, having the field to themselves. In boots and shoes there will be a good collection, but not so large or varied as might have been expected. Amongst the exhibitors are Messrs J. E, Potter, R. Hannah and Co., A. Lindsay, and G- H. Poynter, Wellington ; Mr W. Nichol)?, Christchurch ; Mr E. T. Cartwright, Auckland, and Messrs Lightband, Allan, and Co. The latter firm will have the largest display iu this class. In brushes and brooms, Me C. Trethevick, Hutfc, aud Me T, J. H irbutfe, Auckland, are the only competitors. The former’s exhibit ia particularly good. In oil?, Mr W. Inue?, Port Chalmers, sends a sample of cod-liver oil, Mr J, E. Evans, Wellington, has a fiue display of trotter aud ueatsfoot oil. In hairwork, Mr D, D. Hyde and Mr H, T. Price, Wellington, are the only exhibitors. Both have good displays. In cardboard boxes, Mr Forrest. Sydeaham, and Mr T. J, Treacy, Dunedin, have very creditable exhibits. In musical instruments the display is vary poor ; but iu addition Jo the organ there is a pianoforte made by Messrs Oakden and Sowell, of Dunedin, all the cases, soundingboards, strings, &c„ being made in the Colony, New'Zsalaud woods being generally used. In tobaccos, cigars. &c., the Auckland Company (the only exhibitor) has a case which is likely to excite very great interest. It contains nearly every variety of tobacco, cigar, and cigarette. There i?, besides, a collection of tobacco leaf grown at Hawke* Bay, Poverty Bay, Bay of Plenty, and at the Company's plantation at Kaipara, In perfumery, Messrs J. and T, Mason, Auckland, have a very attractive show case of perfumery distilled in the Colony, and of tooth powders, &c, manufactured by the firm. In candles, the Messrs Kitchen and Sons* Manufacturing Company have the field to themselves. That has not prevented the managers of the Company from going to a very great deal of trouble. Their exhibit is one of the most remarkable in the Exhibition. In the middle there ia a star of candle?, with a raised centre, on which w placed a 20-candle electric lamp. Underneath there ia a mirror, with a atearine fountain in front, moulded ia Corinthian style. There are various figures iu atearine representing celebrated statesmen, &c. ; whiLt at both ends are two large candles, 7/t 61n high aud 24in in diameter, with ivy, and resting on pyramids of white and colored paraffin candles. On the top of the large candles are electric lamps similar to that used in the centre. There are also four columns of various colored soaps, some marbled and some mottled, with figures in stearin© surmounting each. In the stearins fountain there is a tiny water-jet in full play. In chemicals, &c., Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. and Mr Barraud have very nice cases of exhibits, Tq carriage?, &c., Messrs Cousins and Aitkin, Auckland, exhibit a very beautiful landau and a tax-oart, made from various New Zealand woods, seldom used for carriage building. The landau hai been very much admired. Messrs Rouse and Hnrrell, M, Bohan, and J. Fitchett, Wellington, exhibit phaeton and dog-cart, phaeton and baggy, and spring cart, all bjiog very good. Messrs Robin and Co„ M. Sinclair, J. and W. Stewart, Dunedin, have sent an English waggonette, Stanhope phaeton, and single buggy ; Messrs A. G. Howland, Christchurch, an° American family waggonette and Abbott s buggy ; Messrs W. Moor and Co., Christchurch, phaeton and buggy; Messrs Elmsly and Christchurch, village pony cart and double buggy; Mr H. Balme, Nelson, family waggonette and American sulky. AU the exhibits in this class are particularly good, , __ In pottery, there is a very fine display. Mr G. Norbnry, Wellington, who took second prize at the Melbourne Exhibition of 1881, has sent a very large collection of drain ti.ea, Messrs Ford and Ogden, Malvern Hills, Canterbury ; Messrs Austin, Kirk and Co., Christcharch ; the Springfield Coal and Pottery Company, Canterbury ; and Mr Q. Boyd, of the Newton Pottery, Aucktanl, have sent collections which would reflect credit on any Exhibition. Colonists will find it difficult to believe that such articles as those shown can ha produced in the Colonv. _ In wool, grain, seeds, &c., the hew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have a grand display. Messrs K. Wilkin and Co., Christchurch, 'have sent a fine sample case of seeds. In stationery and bookbinding there ii > large display, hut Auckland, strange to say, os not an exhibitor in this class. Messrs Bel* gusaon and Mitchell, Dunedin, have a nice case of books and a large exhibit in various colored and brown papers. This firm his succeeded in the manufacture of white paper. Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, Christchurch, have a largo display of stationery, fancy notepapers, diaries, d:c.; Messrs Lyon and Blair, a varied assortment of account books, samples of letter-press and lithographic printing, diesinking, &c.; Messrs Bock and Cons ns. specimen* of engraving and letter-press ing. The latter firm will have a neat printing machine at work in the building. The Mataura Falla Paper Mill Company has sent very good samples of brown paper and bags. In taxidermy, &0., Mr H. B. Liardet, Wellington, exhibits a handsome cars of muI J , collarettes, &c. Messrs Barton, Wellington, W. Smyth, Cavershsm, and A. Eeisohek, Auckland, have sent nice collections of stuffed biros.
TOST JLKD TELEQBAJPH OFFICE, ETC. A Peat and Telegraph Office, Saving's Bank and Money Order Office, Telephone Bureau, and a branch of the Government Insurance Association, have been opened in the Exhibition, near the main entrance, Mr G. H, Cable, who was lately in charge of the Telegraph Office at the Government Buildings, being the officer in charge. Several Press messages and private telegrams passed through his hands on Saturday, whilst letters and newspapers were posted for France, Germany, England, and the Colonies during the day. The Money Order and Savings Bank branches will doubtless be availed of by a large number of country visitors, as soon as the fact becomes more generally known. Whilst the choir was singing “ God Save the Queen,” the telephone w?a attached to the Exchange, and everything was heard quits distinctly, to the great enjoyment of those who bad to sacrifice pleasure for dnty. THE EXHIBITS, Th#* general opinion was that the exhibits were a credit to the Colony. Indeed, the
greatest surprise wai manifested throughout the entire rai ,<o of t'vo budding* at the quuls*y of the materials shown and the superior n-vlu of v/oikmauahlp Thu woollen, c-vbiiiut making, ironwork, and machinery, pnntiug aad litnog-aphy, wool, grain, and lUx, cvrne in for large share of attention ; whi'at tho magnificent collection of beautiful v/oo la exhibited by tho Public Work* Department wa. mu.di admired by the large number of vhitoru who crowded the roam set apart fur them during the i/turoooti and evening. Some of the knots of totara and rima are very beautiful. Thuuuoxhibits came from aUparts of tbo Colony, and v/nm entrusted ] district Engineer, who had them nicely p)U.«hel and arranged. These opuchnens will probabW be sunt to the Colonial bo hell in London next year. Those in* lureotud in the uimuri*! development of the Colony cdo-udy rerntioised the splendid blocks of coal sent in by Capita William* from the Westport mins Thera was another mineral attract! hi, in the shape of a c mu of antimony, exhibited by the Endeavor (ulet Antimony Company. Tho cone was built of specimen* of the raw material, some of them showing the thickau.rs of the reef. Specimens were also exhibited of tho crulo and ufcir mstal-—.ho former being in the state to which it was rolucoJ after tho first smelting process ; the luttjf being the pure smelted metal, known us “French Star,” wnioh has the appearance of silver, and is beautifully in irked by chrystallUation, presenting an appearance as if it had been artificially marked by Several photographs of the mine, and al-jo oxide of antimony, were shown by the same Company. Mr b, Kobu’e exhibit of diamond* and jewellery, manufactured by himself, were remarkable specimens of colonial workmannhip. Tile various exhibits will be described in detail from day to day.
THE STEARINS FOUNTAIN was one of the chief centre* of attraction. It vva* shown in connection with Messrs J. itobon and Son’s exhibit. The crowds thronged no thickly around that it was necessary to have a constable and four assistants in attendance to prevent the pressure breaking down the railings. The whole effect was wonderfully good. In tho centre of tho exhibit was a large star containing about 400 candles, with two side stars to correspond, made up of bedroom and carriage candles. There wero two immense candles ot either end, lit up with gas, standing 13ft from the ground, festooned with ivy, aad springing from a cone of white and colored paraffin candle?. Near each of them was a large pyramid of soap, made in ev ry color, standing 10ft high and 7ffc across tho base, surmounted by ftteariae statue* 2ffc to 3ft iu height, one being a representation of “Summer,” and the other of the “ Young Angler.” Besides these statues there were busts of Apollo and Juno resting on brackets and pyramids of waahiag blue, whilst statues representing the “ Italian Gardeners, ’’ 2ft Gin in height, wore placed on brackets and on the ground. In addition to these there were 20 small statuettes of leading statesmen and writers, snob as W. E. Gladstone, John Bright, Karl Bsacousfield, Charles Diokea?, Lori Byr:a, Robert Bains, W. H. Longfellow, and also of the P/incess of Wale', &c. These were mainly grouped round the base of the stearine fountain, the top of which stood about 7ft from the ground. It was moulded in pure Corinthian style, with three scalloped bowls, fluted pillars, and capitals. Running through thn centre of the fountain was a small waterjet, about one-eighth of an inch in diameter. There were about 20 steariao vases, of all eiz?s, ranging from 3io to 12iu in height, standing on steariae pillars and pedestal*, and worked invariou* styles. A largo number of beautiful camellias wero placed in the vases, the dark-blue background, with gold mouldings, and the bannareta bung overhead, adding very much to the general effect. The fountain wjb designed and made by Mr W. F. Kitchen, who aLo chiselled the moulds and C-iat the i vaiea and statues.
A very nice collection of fruits, grown in the Auckland Provincial District, and sent down by the Gardeners’ Society, is placed near the refreshment room, and ii much admired. The blocks'! coil sent from the Brunner coal mice at Greymouth have received a large share of attention. These blocks were sent up by Mr Martin Kennedy, the proprietor of the mine. THE ART GALLERY. Thanks to the Fine Arts Associations o£ the Colony, there is a very nice collection in the Art Gallery. The Associations in the other centres entrusted the duty of looking after the exhibits to the Wellington Society, who appointed a Committee, consisting of Messrs O. D. Barraud, O. J. Toxward, L, Stone, and R. T, Holmes, to superintend the hanging of the pictures. 1 here is a larger show of oil paintings compared with the water-colors than is generally the case. Amongst the contributors in oil Mias Sperrey occupies a leading position, “ The Goatherd,” “ lone,” and the portraits of Sir William Filzherbert and Me Le Grand Campbell being prominent. Mr J. Gibb, Chridtchuich, has a large collection of landscapes and sea views, Wellington Harbor beiog amongst the number, with the old hulk and the hills in the background. Mr J. Peel?, Canterbury! sends “ Wreck of the Hesperus ” and the " Flying Dutchman'’ ; Hon J. O. Richmond; a faithful representation of his old bush home in Canterbury ; Colonel Bramfill, Nelson, a very accurate landscape, all the details being filled in very minutely ; Mrs. J. McOosh Claik, Auckland, two evening effects; Mr Wyvilie, Picton, contributes throe pictures ; Mr B. A. Gifford a bold surf study ; Mr Bloomfield, Auckland, sends the “Pink Terraces'* and a bush scene ; and Mr Silk, Wellington, three or four pictures of considerable merit. Dr Bullet exhibits several of Mr Lindauer’a Maori studies, the tattooing and the Maori mats being brought out very accurately. Captun Temple, Canterbury, contributes the M Gates of Erewhon,” and the “Gorge in the Southern Alps.” Mr C. D. Barraud sends two nice studies—one of a Normandy horse with hia gay trappings, the other of a favorite dog, “Louie,” Mr George Sheriff, of Wanganui, baa a portrait of the late Sergeant Higgle, bearing the colors of the Alexandra Light Horae in his band. In water colors, .Mr Gully, of Neleoo, is strongly represented, bis “ Blind Bay ” (painted by commission for the Nelson people), and “ Views of Kaikoura,” looking north and south, being amongst the chief attractions in the gallery. Mr Gully contributes four or live other studies besides. Tho Barraud family are also well represented. Mr C. D. Barraud sends a very fine “ View of Mount Cook, from Tasman Valley, at sunrise, 11 an evening effect, “ View in George Sound,” “ Street Scene in Rio de Jauiero,” and “Entrance to Rio Harbor,” showing the Sugar-loaf Mountain; Mr W. F. Barraud scuds “ Akaroa Lighthouse,’’ “ Lake Takapo,’’ and “Kelly's Creek Mr Noel Barraud, two moonlight scenes—one on the River Derwent, i Tasmania, and the other in Marlborough. The Hon J. C. Richmond contributes several studies, that of “ Milford Sound’’being exceedingly good. Sir William Jervoia sends a panoramic view of Like Rotomahana, with the White and Pink-terraces on either aide. The details are faithfully worked in, but the landscape as a whole i* a little stiff. Only a few of the leading features of the gallery are embraced In this short notice. Tnere are many other contributions of special merit, which will be noticed in due coarse. The whole effect is set off by three pieces of statuary which are placed in the centre of the room, and which have beon especially imported by the Fine Arts Associations of New Zealand for tho benefit of art students. They consist of a life-size figure, “ The Discobolus, n and two beautiful busts of “Achilles ** and " Juno.* In the architectural branch there are some excellent pen and ink sketches, the Grand Hotel and Wain's Hotel, Dunedin, being particularly good. In the photographic branch, Messrs Wriggleswoith and Binn* have a grand display of portraits. Messrs Burton Bros., Dunedin, contribute a largo number of photographs of tcenery ; Mr J. Ring, Greymoath, some fine sketches of West Coast scenery ; Messrs Hart, Campbell, and Co., and W. Bengali, Invercargill, Mr Morris, Dunedin, Mr R. Schouiup, Christchurch, Mr C. Hemus and Mr J. Martin, Auckland, are also extensive contributors. The Art Gallery will bo one of the moat favorite resorts at the Exhibition. The staircase leading from the main building is divided by a handrail, in order to avoid confusion.
THE WOOLLEN FACTORIES. The woollen factories, the New Zealand Clothing Factory, and Meters Wilson, and Richardson's exhibits are placed along the main entrance of the Exhibition building, of which they are the most prominent feature. Ae the woollen manufactures have a moat important bearing on the future prosperity of the Colony, it will be as well to describe these exhibits first. THE KOSLTN FACfOBT. The exhibits of this factory, which Is owned by Mesirs Rosa and Gleadining, of Dunedin, occupy a position to the right of the main entrance. The chief manufactures of that firm consist of tweeds, the Defiance saddle tweed, a very durable material, being one of their specialties. There is a fine display of doable cloths, heavy Teviot gnd silk-mixed tweeds. The red uniform
cloth, which i* now worn by four or five of tho Volunteer corp* iu Christchurch, is excellent.
There is a T-r '-i vxricty of la.-ns’ tweeds, iu plain, fancy, and chuck designs ; whilst there are flannels In m-.dium, and heavy makes, the colors inc'.uditg sziline, oral, white, Shetland, silver-g.'uy, scarlet, and _ maroon. Tbo merino blankets, iu au)wy whit", with silk binding* to match, are n grand exhibit ; there are also some pretty designs in striped and fancy cheeks, with the usual display of go >d, servioab’o, household blankets. Ihe travelling rug<, with reversible colors, and the Crimean and tweed shirtings, are superior to anything that can now be imported and sold at the same prices. Thro is a large array o! hosiery and knitting yarns, with full range of plain and fancy coloring* aad heather mixtures. Some of the tartans show tho McKenzie on ono side and tho Gordon on the other ; the Mack ay au-1 t.ho Argyle being produced in a similar manner. The coloring is very finely blended. Messrs Uoa* and Gleadioiug employ about 450 hind*, 80 to 100 being engaged outside tbo factory at hosiery mauafacturu. Their representative (Mr Peters) states that the Roilyn mill was tbo first in tho Colony which used tho electric light for practical purposes. There are 80 Swan incandescent lamps of 20-candle power each, now In u*o, but the firm have just received a Victoria dynamo for 175 lamp*. The mill is connected by telephone with the Dunedin warehouse. Forty looms are now at work, but that number will soon be considerably increased, Mr Ross, the London partner, lately purchased a 300-horae-power engine, for the mill, and is going to send out machinery fir manufacturing worsted yarns, which will be the first importation of the kind south of the L’ne. TUB EAIAPOI MILL. Lower down, on the same side, are plac3d the exhibits of the Ivdapoi Factory, which has 80 looms at work and nearly 600 hands employed. There is a fino display of merino rugs, of the latest style, in clouded and rambow colors, hung roand in front of tho exhibits. These rugs, somo of which have prettily worked monograms, which can be attached according to order, have a large sale in Melbourne, in spite of tho heavy protective tariff by which that Colony trio* to exclude other manufacture*. Saxony shawls and Maul travelling rugs complete the d;aplay in front. On a stand facing the concert-hall there i* a splendid display of tweed-* in sixty different patterns, some of which are very neat. In the interior there are some excellent worsted coatings, and it i* claimed that tho Kaiapoi Factory i* the only one in the Colony which manufactures that kind of material. There i* a very good display of carriage cloths, which al*o have a large sale iu Sydney and Melbourne. For brilliancy of color, fino texture, and durability, they will compare favorably with anything of the kind in the Horne market. This Campany claims to be the only manufacturer of serge for lining saddle cloth*. The tartan kiltinga are largely used by the Caledonian societies iu the South Island, aad have been sold to the members of the Caledonian Society in Sydney, A large assortment of blankets, white and colored flannels, fingering and wheeling yarns in a variety of colors, crimoan shirting*, aad ready-made clothing in all styles, from cricketing and rowing suits to those usually wern by working men, make up a display of goods which might be creditably placed in any Exhibition. There are, besides, some fino specimens of ladies’ dreaa tweed*, for which there has been a large demand this winter. The factory has been lit for three years with the Galcher electric light, which ha* given great satisfaction. The Directors of the ICaiapoi Company use every thing, as far as possible, of colonial manufacture. The two engines at the factory an 80h.p. and!sh.p.—were manufactured by Messrs Scott Bro*., of Christchurch, and have worked very smoothly for over three years. Colonial coal and colonial oil also get the preference. The mill is managed by Mr Leibhead, a man of largo experience, who came from Kendall, in the North of England, and joined tbo Company about four years ago. Since the enlargement of the Company Mr Shanks, who baa been in Wellington for several days looking after and arranging the exhibits, has been entrusted with the management of its affairs, MOSOIEL WOOLLEN FACTORY.
This Company has two mills—one at Kaikora, near Dunedin, the other at Mosgiel—and employs 400 hands. It has the most prominent position in the Exhibition, and the most is made of it. In the centre of the exhibits an artistic arch, composed of various fingering and wheeling yarns, has been formed, whilst above the arch there is a wool trophy, worked in various shades, in the shape of a wheel, with half a dozen medallions around it, the four corner ones representing different breeds of sheep, and those at the aides the old and new styles of manufacturing woollen goods. “Success to the Wool-spinning Industry in New Zealand,” printed in gold letters, is blended with the words “ Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company.” Oa either side of the central arch there is a trophy, one represeating a rainbow with the Saddle Hill cleverfy worked in wool underneath, the other a pretty design iu various colored wools, with the words, “Sine Cera,” iu the centre. In the centre of the exhibit there is a pyramid, on which is represented the various manufactures of the company, consisting of tweeds, in every shade, texture, and weight. Some excellent Bsdford riding cord ia shown ;it is only manufactured, far, by the Mosgiel Company. Large quantities of the lighter classes of merino tweeds and travelling ruga are now exported to Sydney and Melbourne, Shepherd’s plaid which Is said to be very difficult to manufacture, is amongst the exhibits, the colors being produced very distinctly. On the top of the pyramid there ia a variety of Berlin .wools, with leather, grey, and fancy colored hosiery underneath. A prominent objsct is the certificate obtained at tho Melbourne Exhibition of 1881 for worsted and woollen manufactures, selected by the jurors “as the most meritorious Australasian exhibit ia that section,” and nominated for the prize given for that class of goads by the Emperor of Germany. At either end there stands a case of draped tweeds, of which 120 different patterns are shown. At each corner of the pyramid there are stacks of blanket?, flannels, tweeds, and shirtings, the fine merino blankets being a splendid sample of Colonial manufacture. /’Various clan tartan?, crimson cloth for tabling, reversible travelling rugs, flinuela iu white, scarlet, navy blue, Shetland and Orkney grey, Crimean shirtings, shawls in fancy designs, with a variety of beautiful tweeds for ladies* dresses, the demand foe which is steadily increasing, make up one of the finest displays ever seen iu the Southern Hemisphere. In addition to yarns, hosiery, plaids, &c., about 10,000 pieces of tweed of fifty yards in length, are manufactured every year by the Company. Messrs Fletcher and Co., electrical engineers, Dunedin, are fitting up tho Mosgiel Factory with a Victoria dynamo machine for 300 lamps, which will be ready in a fortnight, and will be the largest incandescent installation in the Colony, Messrs Fletcher and Co ate also fitting up the Roalyu Mill with the electric light. e In concluding this necessarily brief notice of the exhibits of the woollen factories, regret cannot but be expressed that one or two competent jurors were not outside the Colony; ae requested by the millowners. It is to be hoped that similar exhibits will bo sent to the Colonial Exhibition to be held ia London next year. CLOTHING, HOSIERY, CARPETS, HATS. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Close to tbt entrance door, on the left hand side, stands a handsome case 18ft in length, 9ft in depth, and 12ffc in containing the exhibits of Messrs Hallenstein Brothers and Company. Thera are figures inside representing the Prince of Wales, Mr Gladstone, Lord VYolseley, and tho late General Gordon, the latter being in full dress uniform of scarlet cloth and silver lace, whilst the Prince of Wales is attired in Highland costume. A Melton cloth overcoat, which is said to be the first material of the kind made in the Colony, shields one of the figures from the cold wintry blasts. It appears very suitable for Fir© Brigades, as it keeps the water out. Fifty suits of the material were recently ordered by the Christchurch Fire Brigade. There is a nice variety of boys’ suits ia velvets, serges and tweeds, with a goodly array of cricketing, rowing and Crimean shirts, underclothing, and Volunteer uniform?, the cloth for which was made at th’ Mosgiel Factory. The New Zealand Clothing Factory is at present making up suits for about 1200 Volunteers In various parts of the Colony, and has the contract for supplying the uniforms of the officials of the Post Office and Railway Department throughout the Colony. Behind the case there is a collection of men’s and boys’ clothing, with samples of the materials from which the goods are made up. There are 600 hands employed at the factory ia Dunedin, In 1873, when Mr B. Halleastoin, the founder of the firm, commenced manufacturing clothing iu Dunedin, he had to pay the passages of 50 experts who were brought over specially from Melbourne, 100 hands besides being engaged in the Colony, Ho endeavored to sell the goods to the wholesale houses, but they did not appear to look very favorably on the new industry, iu the development of which a loss of *612,000
was suitable 1 during the first two years. Retail branches v.'ero then opened, and there are now .5 braue ic* In tho principal town* of the Colony, employing 200 hands. At the head of the show-case ih*rc ar.a hung «o«w very fine photographic view* of the factory and with portrait* of S ; r Jaffa i Vogel, the Premier, Major Atkin 00, and Air J 3. llallcnstein, SIE33RS WILSON AND RICHARDSON.
Messrs Wilson and Rich jrdaon, Lambtonquay, make a notable show of goods, exclusively their own manufacture, their show-case bsiag oae of the largest iu the Exhibition, and will be a surprise to those vi itors who have 'been uaac jU date 1 with the manufacturing enterprise of this firm. Scrutinising the ex- . Mbit* an a whole, the workmanlike ream r la which tbo variou* article* are turned out is clearly discernible, the class of goods here •*howa being equal bo anything capable of being impacted. A specialty in shirt-making is introduced, by which the fronts retain a perfect shape in the wear, and the cuff* are guaranteed not to fray. Following on shirts, there is a goodly display of collars and cuff*, in the newest shapes, but what will surprise many is the exhibit of gentlemen’s fashionable siik starves and ties. Then there are Crimean shirts, flannel under-shirts, drawers, and pyjama suits made from colonial flannels, Oxford, regatta, and strong shirts for working men, lawn tennis shirts in club colors, and in plain white unshrinkable flannel. Among the article* of luxury may be mentioned some well-made and tasteful dressing grown* for gentlemen’* wear. Messrs Wilson and Richardson have recently added a tailoring department to the r .r business, and, iu» a consequence, they are making an exhibition of the cutter’s art, the garmmt* being chiefly made from New Zealand tweeds. ‘ In their manufacturing and sales department every endeavor is made by the firm to push to the front tho products of the New Zealand woollen mill*, aad for many years past Messrs Wilson and Richards ra have been extensive buyers. Some dolls and a basinette in tho show-case are very tastefully arranged, and with the choice specimens of underclothing should form an interesting study for the fair sex. Messrs Wilson nnd Richardson employ a large staff of workpeople, and all the various article* in their show-case have been made up on their owa premises from imported materials, HOSIERY. Mr T. Bnb, draper, Wanganui, has a very nice exhibit of knitting material. 1 *, consisting of football suits, ladies, and children’s woollen skirt* and vests, Cardigan jackets, stockings, socks, bootees, gaiters, woollen scarves, and tam-o’-shanters. Mr C. Pickard, Auckland, has a case of woollen stockings and socks, made from Mosgi-d and Roslyu yarns, in twenty different shade* of color. Both exhibit* arc very creditable. CARPET*. Moasn N. Mitchell and do, ot tha New Zealand Ourpet Factory Company, Christchurch, have a very fine exhibit of Kidderminster carpete, in about twenty different patterns. Teis factory, which only commenced work about two years ago, has now 14 looms at work. It is raid to be the first factory ot the kind south of the Liue. The carpets are pronounced by competent judges to ba very durable, and all the materials used are made from New Zealand wools.
■ Mr O. Hill has two vary nice show cases, about 100 hats of different patterns being tastefully arranged, including black Paris, clerical, livery, military, and ladies’ and gentlemen's walking and riding hat*. Mr Hill, who employs 25 hands, has the contract for supplying the Police Force and railway officials with helmets and cap*. He has three men at work at the Exhibition, and all the various processes of hat manufacture, from the commencement to the finish, can be seen by visitors. Some pull-over felt, made fourteen years ago by Messrs Hill and Fenton, from New Zealand rabbit-skin?, are shown with the other exhibit*. Mr Hill states that the materials used in the making of the hats are imported from Francs, Germany and England, but principally from France, whoso operatives appear to excel in that branch of industry. Mr G. Bsrtinshaw, Dunedin, has a nice case of hat*, which he claim* to make from the skins of the rabbits and hares, all the various processes of fur manufacture being shown in another case. FURNITURE. Messrs North and Scoullar, of Dunedin, have a space of 15ft by 50ft, divided Into a suite of dining-room, drawing-room, and bedroom, the partitions being papered and carpets laid on the floor in the orthodox fashion. In the dining-room there is a handsome oval mantel and over-mantel elaborately carved in rimu,withbsvaUed plate-glass and side brackets and pillars. The sideboard,which is 6ft iuheight, has bevelled plate-glass and arched top, with carved side brackets, mounted with handsome brass work, the whole being profusely ornamented. The dining table is made on the telescope principle, with massively turned leg*, and there is a dinner waggon, unique in design, close by. The suite consists of couch, hdiea’ and gentlemen’s easy chairs, bound in rich morocco. In the drawing-room there i* a handsome Chippendale cabinet, elaborately carved, with bevelled plats*; a handsome Prince of Wales settee, in and gold ; a Queen Anne set, consisting of three piece.*, in Japanese tapestry and old gold plush borders ; a large variety of wosaip and occasional chairs in cardinal plashes, old gold, sage, and bronz* covering* ; handsome scroll chair, in maroon and old gold plush ; light occasional drawingroom chairs, 5 o’clock tea table.*, canterbury, and whatnots all being made from the best American walnut. The furniture in the bedrooinis make of pukaka and American The bedstead is haad*omely draped in tapestry and plush, with pelmet trimming* to match. The Duchesae table is very neat, with its bevelled plate-glass and handsome bras* mountings ; whilst the wardrobe, 6ft in height, with large centre mirror, is an attractive feature. There are beside* a marble-top washstaud, with Minton tile back, cupboard, and towel-rai! j Spanish couch, ia tapestry and crimson plush borders; Spanish chair and three emill chair?, richly upholstered. The suite of rooms wril be lit up with the electric light as soon ae it is ready. Messrs North and Scoullar, who commenced in a small way, now employ 80 bo 100 hands at their and housefurniahiug establishment in Dunedin. The Dunedin Iron and Wood ware Company occupy one of the largest spaces in the Exht* bition, which is partitioned off, forming four compartments, on a raised platform, railed off with brass rods. The first striking feature is a handsome dining-room, 20 x 15, furnished complete in the early English style. The timber used is rimu, which shows to great advantage with the class of work exhibited. The principal piee'e of furniture is a massive 7ft sideboard or buffet, with richly carved panels and cove in top of back, which is fitted with octagonal bevelled plate, the lower or carcase portion being fitted up with every requisite convenience. There s also a mantelpiece and overmantel to match, with tile hearth, grate, fender, and brasses all in harmony ; also I2ft balance slide extending dining-table, combination dinner waggon and table leaf holder, coal va?e, and a haudsome suite of nine pieces elaborately carved frames, tastefully upholstered in olive morocco, fitted with bronze and brass mediaeval furniture. This, with rich Axminster carpet and window draperies, presents quite an artistic appearance. The next half is.furnished to represent a bedroom, which has a chaste effect, the furniture being manufactured of American walnut, banded and relieved with maple, white polished; the design is modern. The wardrobe is both useful and elegant, being a departure from the ordinary three-door style, having a break ia the centre, with a neat of four drawers, and circular bevelled pUte above the two hanging compartments at each side. There ia also a Parisian bedstead, furnished throughout, Duchesae dressing table, marble-top washstand, chairs, lounges, &c.» to complete, all being fitted with nickel-plated fittings, which greatly add to their appearance. The next space is occupied by oce isioaal dra wing-room furniture, a variety of styles and upholstery work being shown ; ono very artistic piece in the of a walnut Chippendale settee, upholstered in silk and wool tapestry with plush borders, attracts much attention. Thera are chairs to suit every taste, iu plushes, satins, and tapestry. Hall furniture is also represented, two very useful hat and umbrella stands of rimu b dag conspicuous. Tho remainder o! the space is devoted to their factory production?, in the way of bentwood work for carriage-builders, spokes, tabs, buckets, <kc., of which they show a great variety. Thera is a novelty prize washingmachine and a patent hospital bedstead which, by a very ingenious bat simple method, allows the clothes to be changed without disturbing the patient. All the exhibits are finished in tho best style. These apartments will also be lit up with the electric light. About 150 hands are employed by the Company. The works originally belonged to Messrs Guthrie and Larnach, the latter gentleman being now ; Minister-of Mine?. Mr A. J. White, Christchurch, has two large compartments handsomely furnished and draped. The object the exhibitor apparently had in view, was to show the different varieties of furniture manufactured at his establishment, for v there are no separate seta of any one style. The central ia the mantel and over-
mantel, made of bog or black totara and ri nn, richly curved in the Renaissance style, »vith CJariathiiQ c damns and capitals and carvel figures ia froa*. Xu the centre there is voiy fine bevelled pi its glass, with recesses at cither aide and richly carved arches, the fire, place being fitted up with a neat brasianuQtod dog-grate. There is a sideboard, 8L x 9ffc 10in, iu Queen Anne style, the panels of which are richly carved, with haaLome cornices, and octagonal bevelled plate-glass in the centre, mounted in early English style. There is also a very neat rimn eideboard, in old English style, with prettily carved panels, and an inexpensive bel-nora finite close by. In the centre of the apartment a handsome octagonal library table, made of matai, with sets of drawers all round, attracts attention. Cabinets, card-tafcles, occasional tables, drawingroom and Glastonbury chairs, make up a nice assortment. Iu the next aparement there ia a settee covered in rich crimson plush, and old gold tapestry an i fringes ; easy chair in olive and Geneva velvet, with blue plush borders; stuff-over easy chur, covered with bright Gsneva velvet and crimson plush borders; Howard chair, in blue tapestry ; Russian chair, ia terracotta, plush, black and g)ld rilk ; Priacen chair, in Genoa velvet and olive plush ; occasional chairs, iu stamped velvet and fringes; Chippendale chair, in stamped velvet ; half a dozen occasional tables, in varinu designs; lady’s Devonporfc writing dedc, undo of walnut and Huon pine ; riehly carved cabinet book-case, in rimu, with Caippendale mantel overhead, containing a profusion of bevelled plate-glass, carved panels and tops ; corner cabinets in early English style, the doors being formed into small square*—all the exhibits making a very fins display. As already stated, the Exhibition organ was baiit for Mr White by Mr Jenkins, who states that Mr White has always been anxious to encourage that branch of colonial manufacture. About one hundre d hands are constantly employed by Mr While, and the machinery is driven by steam power. , , _ _ Messrs Winks and Hall, of Auckland, have a splendid suite of bedroom furniture ia mottled kauri, made up in mediaeval style, consisting of half-tester bedstead, with silverglass panels, in footboard, draped in cretonne aad blue silk plush ; a winged wardrobe, with plate-glass panel the full length of the doorway, fitted inside with drawers and trays ; Duchesne dressing table, with blue silk pluih foot-rest and silver handles ; and marble-top wa-hstand with chair aid chamber-stand to match. The whole are iu keeping with the bedstead, and are exceedingly creditable specimens of colonial workmanship, and clearly show the uses to which our native timbers can be put. Messrs Winks and Hall employ a large number of hands. Mr J. li. Kimbell, Lambton-quay, Wei Uogtoo, exhibits a very handsome library suite, consisting of settee, two and six single chairs of rimu, and upholstered in morocco, with gilded and embossed borders There are also six drawing-room chairs ia walnut, rimu, and blackwood, covered with silk plushes and satins. The goods were taken from ordinary stock, aud were not made for Exhibition purposes, but they will comp ire favorably with most of the furniture in the building, aud are superior to any imported goods. Mr Kimbell is a large employer of labor.
Mr Caiman, of Wanganui, exhibits an inlaid bedroom suite, the wood* principally consisting of rimu, honeysuckle, mottled kauri, and totara knots. The suite consists of bedstead, chest of drawers, pedestal Duchesse table, mirble-top washstaad and comtnodo ; also two parlor tables. Mr Caiman, who Li quite a young man, did most of the work in his spare time. The exhibits are highly creditable.
Messrs W. Hooker and Sons, Christchurch, show four different suites, c insisting of dining-room, sitting-room, and pirlor furniture, made of rimu and kauri. The diningroom suite, in leather covers, ought to give good serviceable wear, Mr Hooker doss not pretend to enter the lists against the leading manufacturers in the Colony. He employs about a duzm hands, and be wishes to show the public that good serviceable furniture can be made cheaper in the Colony than the imported article. He uses colonial skins, colonial carpets, colonial woods, and thinks he is deserving of colonial patronage in like manner. Mr O. Bath, of C.mrtenay-place, Wellington, shows a very massive and handsomely carved sideboard In Elizabethan style, the wood being principally mottled kauri. The work is highly finished, and reflects credit on the exhibitor. Mr W. Norrie, of Auckland, show* one of the most artistic pieces of work in the building, which he terms the Princess of Wales wardrobe, and which will probably be forwarded to the Colonial Exhibition to be held in London. Twenty-five different kinds of woods have been mad in the manufacture of the exhibit, including mottled aud curly kauri, puriri, rowarewa, akeake, kohekohe, and pohu* takawa. The lady’s drawer is handsomely decorated with Native flowers, and a very good representation of ‘‘Auckland by moonlight’* is produced by hand p doting. There are plate-glass panels, lined with crimson silk, on either wing, and a cabinet in the centre, inside of which are eight jewel drawers, each made of a different kind of wood, and handsomely mounted. There is an inlaid cornice at the top, worked in a manner to show the variegated tints of the rising sun. This piece of work is a credit not alone fc> Mr Norrie, but to Auckland and the whole Colony. Mr Charles Effey, of Christchurch, shows a variety of dining and drawing room chairs, in mahogany and rimu, upholstered in morocco, Utrecht velvet, and haircloth. Messrs G-arlick and Oranwell, of Auckland, exhibit a very finely carved mantelpiece, made of various kinds of woods, with pedestals on either side.
Mr W. Bates, of Christchurch, exhibits the framework of drawing and diningroom suites of furniture, made of rimu and totara. One exhibit in the building has attracted a good deal of attention—a colonial-made piano, manufactured by Messrs Oakdea and Howell, of Dunedin. It is encased in rimu, and possesses a touch and tone equal to the imported article, with the advantage of being considerably cheaper, Tne importance to the Colony of this new industry may bo gathered from the fact that musical instruments to the value of £170,000 were imported into the Colony last year, the greater portion of that amount having been paid for piano-*. Messrs Oakdea and Howell state that they are prepared to manufacture fifty piano every year similar to the one on view at the Exhibition. Colonial-made organs aud pianos aro some of the features of the present Exhibition for which a large number ol colonists were not quits prepared. The whole of the exhibits in this class have surprised a very large number of who were quite unaware that such highly finished furniture wae being manufactured in the Colony.
MACHINERY AND IRONWORK, Oue of the moat conspicuous exhibits in the building is that of Messrs Scott Bros, of the Atlas Engineering Work?, Christchurch, who have brought up a splendid collection of machinery, cooking ranges of all sizos, fonntains, garden seats, verandah tracery an! posts, ceiling centres, umbrella-stands, column caps, &c. The governors and fittings of the engines and the mountings and clasps of the ranges are all nickel-plated, which adds not alone to tin effect of the display, but saves the wear and teir of the articles It is calculated that the saving to the machinery, especially through the use Of the nickelplating, is amply compensated for in a few years, as rust is thus prevented, and a cousiderafcle saving can be mads in the labor of cleaning. The machinery includes a 14 h.p. horizontal engine, a 4 h.p. vertical engine, and a self-acting steam pump. Their construction is very simple; anytnan with aslightknowledge or machinery might work them. Horizontal engines of the aune pattern are now in vary general me ; whilst the verticals are well suited for jam factories and workshops which only require limited power ; they ace also superseding to a great extent the old style of donkey-engines. The Kaiapoi Woollen Factory and Lyttelton Borough Ojuncils have the steam pumps in use ; they are capable of forcing water to a height of 400ffc, though they only occupy a very small space and weigh only about 2£cwt. The 10-h.p. turbins wheel, which is capable of driving all the machinery of an ordinary flour mill, is largely patronise! by mill owners down South. Thera is a great of cooking ranges, from those used in the smallest households up to thoie necessary for the requirements of hotels, clubs, an! large private establishments. Along the passage leading from the concert hall is a 9ft cooking range, the back being fitted up with Minton tiles; this is a grand specimen of colonial workmanship, which has attracted much favorable comment from visitors. There is a portable cooking range, suitable for survey camps or bush huts, and a show combination register grate, which is paid to be the first of the kind made in the Odony. The garden seats are handsomely finished and coatal with bronze, a medallion io the centre of one of them, “The Lady,” being very cleverly execute!. Ferns, horse-chestnuts, and uasturtioas form the decorations at the backs. Two fountains are ahowo, polished in bronze, one of them being similar to a form- . tain which the same firm placed at the Christ-
church Exhibition. The whole oi the exh bits ora enclosed with verandah columns aid friezis, ia a variety of pretty design, with brackets to match. The firm of Soot* Uroi. started ia Christchurch in a email wav in 1872. They now employ upward! of 70 hands, and do a large trade in the North a< well as in the South Island. Mr T. Crompton, of the Crown Ironworks. Christchurch, exhibits a large variety of cooking ranges, which he has made a specialty of for several years put. His self-contained cooking-range, with iron mantelpiece, can be fitted up in any houso withon* the aid of a bricklayer. Hot water boiler and tanks, capable of sending water to any part of the h mse, are attached. The ranges are made in ail sizis, varying from Sft to 6ft. In three ranges either coal or wood can be used. Cose fire ranges, from 2ft 6:n to Sft, the backs fitted up with Minton tiles, are also exhibitid. All the range boilers are gaivaniied at the works, those sent from England and America being cast-iron. The advantage of the galvanised process ia that the boilers are 1 kept free from nlst, and can be rauoh more easily cleaned. Lika Messrs Scott Bros., Mr Crompton commenced in a small way. Fifteen years ago be employed only one boy ; now he has 60 to 70 hands at work. The works cover an acre of ground at the junction of Armagh and Manchoster-streets. A large business is dsne in the North and South Islands, aud imported ranges are being gradually driven out of the market. Mr Crompton has other exhibits in another portion of tho building, oons’sting of wrought iron wheelbarrows and awingiog water-barrels. He also exhibits a very simple kind of washingmachine, which a boy or girl might work without much strain on the muscles. Mr T. J. Watters, another Christchurch man, exhibits cooking ranges, varying in stzs from 3fo to 10ft. The largest range is so constructed that it can be mala to cook for half-a-dozen or five hundred. There are four fireplaces, which can be usel separately or to gather • the grill arrangement is very gond, being suitable tor either coke or coal. The plate racks, doors, hinge.!, and ovens ate all made of wrought iron, everything being highly finished, whilst the dampers and ventilators are simple and handy High pressure boilers can be attached, capable of sending water to any part of a largo building. A smaller range Sft 6!n, is divided at the back by polished iron bars, so that the purchaser can lit in the Miotoo tiles without the least trouble. A capper bod r, tinned inside, and fastened by screws, so that it may be taken out at any time, ia a desirable improvement. Eight years ago Mr Watters only employed one'ttoy. He has now about a d men hands at work, although business is iu a rather depressed condition. Mr Shacklock, of Dunedio, exhibits eight portable cooking ranges, embracing all sizes. These were especially designed and patented to meet the requirements of colonial households. Six of tho Orion ranges ato for coal or wood, with high-pressure boilers attached. In the Sit ranges, wood iu 2ft lengths can be burned, and by removing what is termed the “ auxiliary” in front, the range is reduced to a size suitable for coal. The ranges, which are also portable are capable of supplying 61 gallons of water par hour. In the Sirius range a movable tile cau be so placed that the fire may be made small enough for an egg saucepan or large enough to do the cooking for a household. Mr Shacklock, who has been in business 14 years, employs 20 hands. He states that his trade received considerable impetus from a local Exhibition held in Dunedin three years a"o, and he hopes similar results will aoenre from the present Industrial Exhibition. He is evidently a thoughtful man, and his stoves are simply and ingeniously constructed. Mr Herbert J. Smith, of the Auckland Ironworks, shows three portable ranges, all the materials being made of wrought iron, and so constructed that the minimum quantity of fuel is used. At tha back of tho fireplace there is a circulating pipe, which heats the water in the boilers thus lessening tho wear and tear. The flues are also .ingeniously constructed. The damper 1s so arranged that the heat ascends over tho top of the oven before it ascends through tha flue ; by lowering the damper the heat ia thrown round tha oven, ascending at the back of the same flue, which creates a draught and kesps the kitchen cool. The range is a combination of the open and closed. Mr Smith, who Uis fifteen years in business, employs eight hands. Messrs B. Luka and Sons, of the Te Aro Foundry, exhibit a 9 h.p. trunk borzantal engine, which by giving a largo wearing surface reduces the friction to a minimum. Several of those engines are in use in Wellington, aud have given entire satisfaction, T he engine has an improved governor In horizontal, doing away with the bevelled gear._ In the improved cooking range the oven, being portable, can be removed at any time and repaired, if necessary ; and is so placed that it gets the whole of- tha heat before It passes into the flue. A curiosity in the shape of a 250ibs steam - jacketed jam-boiler ia shown, with cast-iron jacket outside and steam-stuffing glands, the steam being admitted at one end aud the exhaust passing oat at tha opposite side. A similar boiler ia in use at tha Petone Jam Factory, and Messrs Hollaed Bros, are quite satisfied with it. By using steam, the danger of burning the jam ia obviated. There ate some niee designs in ornamental brackets and railings for shop and house verandah's, balconies, and garden railings. Propeller blades of improved designs are also shown, whio'a have proved conducive to increased speed whenever tried. Pictures are hung round of the steal screw steamer Maitai, built by the firm tor Captain Williams, said to be tho largest steamer constructed la tho Colony, anl the first iu which steal was used exclusively, and of tho steamer Wek», built for th) Napier trade, the vessel being found very suitable. Last year Messrs Luke and Sms employed 100 hands. Trade is not quite so brisk at present. Mr G, Bernasconi, cabinetmaker, Cuba* street, exhibits a very ingenious piece of machinery, which ha works in the building. It is a combination of seven other machines, including handsaw, fretsaw, circular saw, drilling machine, oval turning, grindstone, and 6ft turning lathe. It can be worked by treadle, gas, stsam, or water power, aud ia capable' of turning out all the various descriptions of work at one time which the other machines produce separately._ Monogram!, fretwork, or carving of any kind cau be done with great expedition. Such a machine in tho United States wonid probably make ths fortune of ths inventor. Mr Bernasconi intends to patent his machine, all tha works of which wore made by himself. It is one of the attractive features of the Exhibition, Messrs Robertson and 00, of the Phceuix Foundry, Wellington, exhibits in one of the annexes some pieces of machinery, orna mental iron railings, bolt heads aud nuts. Messrs W. Cable and 00, of the Lion Foundry, Wellington, exhibit a marine condenser and cylinder, a pure and rioh-t med church-bell, propellers, and various portions of maohinsry. , Messrs R. S. Sparrow and Co, Dunedin, exhibit an air-oompresoer tor driving rookdrills and for general ventilating purposes. Any required pressure can be obtained. Mr O. Fraser, of the Phoenix Foundry, Auckland, exhibits _ a marine engine, hydraulic sluicing machine, and steam winch. Asohcroft’s patent quartz-crushing and gold-saving machine is exhibited, Messrs W. Cable and Co., of tha Lioa Foundry, being tha agenti. It is claimed that the machine saves a larger percentage of gold than other machines, and that it can bo erected in a few hours at a very small cost, Messrs A. and G. Price, of the Thamss, exhibit a grand water-wheel, capable of working flour-mills, quartz batteries, &c, Mr G. Didsbury, of the Government Printing Office, Wellington, exhibits a railwav ticket printing machine, which is a grand piece of mechanism, and the invention of an old settler who lived many years in Nelson aad Taranaki. Thousands of these machines are now in use in various parts of the world. Messrs Lyon and Blair have one of those neat Arasrican typs-writsre, now used by the Hansard staff, at work in the building. It is very simple, and writes rapidly a series of keys being touched to prodroo the letters. It is a very interesting exhibit. Messrs Book and Cousins, Wellington, have a treadle printing machine at work. This always attracts tha visitors. Mr J. Laukshsar, bookbinder, Wellington, has a numbering machine at work. He also exhibits a blocking press for printing hat labsls and other work of that description. Mr S. Kohn, watchmaker and jeweller, Lambton.quay, exhibits a machine for stamping coins and medals. It is similar to the one used at the Royal Mint, in Birmingham, and is a perfect piece of mechanism. Tha Wellington Gas Company exhibits one of tha Biaschop patent gas engines, capable of producing 90 revolutions per minute, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES. Messrs R. B. Fletcher and Co., electrical engineers, of Dunedin, have a varied collection of interesting apparatus fur electric lighting. In addition to tha three are la'mpa which will be suspended from the 100 ft mast, several suites of rooms in the Drillshed will also be lighted up by Messrs Fletcher and Co. Soma of the fittings to bo used for tha Swan incandescent lamps will be of a very ornamental character. One of the most in*
teresting exhibits in the buildin? U a working model nf Professor F.em ng Jea.cms telepharags system of electric railway cm munioation. It is said to be specially useful for mountainous country, and is the latest adaptation of electricity to tho transport of m rohandiie, minerals, &e. A telephar dine is now being erected nt G’-ynle for the Sussex Portland Cerent Company. Pro fe-aor Jcnkini was not destined to see design successfully completed, as hs died latdy from blood-poisoaiog. The model at the Exhibition is actuated by a mima tura dynamo of tha sama type as that used for tha telephir model runoiog at ths Inventories Exhibition in London, and this dynamo will, ia turn, bs accelerated by a small water-motor. Another interesting exhibit will bs a model tramoar, which will rao upon an elliptical track in the The combination of water-power with electricity must have an important hearing on the future of the oolooy. Already Messrs Fletcher and Co. are using two Felton wheels in the Lake County, Otago, tha electricity beifig transmitted two miles and used for working quartz crushing machinery. Dr Hector™ >n conjunction with Mr Prince (late electrician to the Union Company, but now a member of the firm of Fletcher and Co ), will probably deliver a lecture on the telepher system of communication during the Exhibition. , MENDELSSOHNS “ELIJAH.” The performance of Mendelssohn's glorious oratirio, “Elijah,” perhaps on the whole the finest of all works of that class, drew together a very large audience at tha Exhibition concert ball 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 tho complete work here, it having been produced by him at the first concert of the late Choral Society that heconduoted. It wasgivenatthe (since-burned) Opera House, Manners street, with marked success. The aeooud performance was also by the Choral Society a year or two later in St Peter’s new church, Ur Angelo Forrest beim- 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 yeara ago. Mr Parker was once more tha conductor, and in that case Mr Neville Barnett presided at the organ. These two gentleman were again similarly associated last ni-ht week, and with oven more successful results? A review of the work itself would be quite supererogatory nowadays. _ It has grown more and mire iu familiarity, aad is second to none in popularity ; although, necessarily, much more elaborate and difficult than the favorite works of Handel and Haydn, such, for instance, as “ The Messiah” or “Tha 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 ia 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 anil-climax, and a great critic haa said that “ posterity will undoubtedly pronounce it an unwottby 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 ; aud the Still Small Voice ; and lastly, Elijah’s Translation to Heaven in a Fiery Chariot. After all these, so marvellously depicted and skilfully led up t j,bo a* gradually to workup the interest and enthusiasm to the utmost point of tension, the finale—a mere ordinary scholastic on 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 ia 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 mark. 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 psrfectin their workmanship,but the movements for solo voices are no leas remarkable. the former it would be bard to match in other work* such a series of musical marvels as " 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. He watching over Israel,” “ He that shall endure to the end,” and “ Behold, God (he Lord passed by.” Bub it would be equally difficult to instance more lovely airs than “ Help me, man of M and “ Hear yo, Israel,” for soprano; “ Woe unto them ” and “ O, rest in the Lord,” for contralto ; “ If, with all your hearts ” and “ Then shall the righteous,” for tenor ; “Lord God of Abraham,” “Open tho Heavens,” “It is enough,” and “For tho mountains,” for basso or baritone, or again, any more vigorous piece of declamatory writing than the famous “Hammer song," and ‘‘ls not bis word like a fire,” for the last named voice. The duet for tho widow and Elijah, the trio “Lift thine the quartets “ Cask thy burden,” aud “ O, come everyone that Ihirsfceth ” 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 Ha 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 ab e 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 tha most difficult choruses were the best executed. The few weaknesses which might be singled out for criticism occurred in places where the choralista were doubtless more confident and so leas careful. Still these were very few aud far between, and, as a rule, the chorus-singing was remarkably good. Not merely were the arduous move* merits given with admirable precision in time and tune, but they were also sung with excellent expressiveness and with a keen apprecia* tion ©f the varied shade* of sentiment inspiring the music. Mr Parker may well be complimented on the result attained, and oa the skill and tact with which ho kept together his rather large vocal and instm mental force. It was a great advantage to have the aid of so gifted and accomplished an organist a* Mr Neville Barnett, under whoso able manipulation the new organ was heard to very satisfactory effect. The orchestra wasgeaerally 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 Ootterell, who was to have held that part, but was unable to be present. No apology, however, was really needed. Mrs Greenwood in “Hear ye Israel,” repeated one her long-familiar triumphs. Miss Williams, in (he dual part of the widow and the youth, acquitted herself excellently, while MUs Randell, in the trio and quartets, sang with her accustomed taste and correctness, Mrs Webb’s pare contralto voice waa, as usual, heard at its beat in “ O rest in the Lord,” one of the brightest gems of the work, which the composer, moat unaccountably, was very near cutting out as “ too sweet,” and lacking in sufficient dignity. Every musician will rejoice that he was dissuaded from this Miss Hislop was a little overweighted in “ Woe unto them,” but sang 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 bustained throughout by Mr J. W. Bun, 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 ’’ waa not only admirable, but was strictly in consonance with the traditional interpretation of that famous song. He was also yety satisfactory lath?
recitative, principal quartet, and incident fl sola?, but was less happy in “Than abaU the righteous,” which was tak-n too fast. Mr PUmmer (tenor) gave useful assistance in the quartet “ Oast thy burden,’’ and ia the octet “He shall give his angels.” We have left the principal solo part of all ti speak of last. But though last, it was certainly not least, 'ih title role of Elijah was tilled by Mr Gardner who hid come up from Christchurch expressly for the purpose, and who gave undoubtedly the beEt reading of that exacting part ever yet heard in Wellington* Mr Hollister's ven meritorious singing in this role on former occasions will not be forgotten bj Wellington audienc.-s, bat Mr Gard’oer, while equalling that gentleman in richness of voice and excellent m-thod of singing, snr passed him greatly in the expression and dignity of his representation of the great prophet. He was be-jt of all in the numerous dramatic recitatives, but also sang splendidly the prayer “Lord God of Abraham, * and iu the exquisitely pathetic air “It is enough." Ho was not altogether so successful in the “ Hammer song,” which seemed less to suit his style. It is no email task to sing through the partof Elijah, and very few colonial singers could do so with such good effect as Mr Gard’nef. The performance, as a whole may fairly be characterised as a thorough musical treat. . . . Listening to “Elijah” oners often struck with the unfortunate results of translation into a language different from that to which the music was originally composed. Men* delssohn’s librettist, too, the late Mr Bartholomew, was by no means a worthy collaborates. If ia trus he did not supply to Msndelssohn such shocking doggrel as poor Sir Michael Costa found himself compelled, for bis sins, to provide a musical setting for, in “ Naaman.’' 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. In this way even the actual phrasing ia 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 the tenor observe “I therefore say to * ye.’ ” Now that revisions of sacred texts are all the fashion, some capable scribe might do worse than 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 gasfittiog trade. In the centre of their space, 48ft by 20ft, stands an octagonal show-case, 10ft high, containing water, gas, and steam fittings, some of which are electro-plated. Around the case are group 3d mediaeval lights for churches and gasaliora, the decorative work oa 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 and two pyramids of lead and composition pipe, which baa 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 bottling machines, brewers’ refrigerators, 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 stoves, 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 o! 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 throe quarters of an acre of ground. All the plant for the distillery at Dunedin was made by the firm, who have oa several evasions sent brewers* plants to Melbourne and Sydney. There is no description of copper or brasswork which cannot be manufactured by the firm, who do a Urge trade with the vessels which come to this Colony. They have now 120 hands in their employ. Mr T. Ballinger, WilUa etreefc, Wellington, has a very fine display of gas-fittings, various descriptions of globes being so nicely arranged that a good effect is produced. Underneath there are two largo baths, which are japanned, marbled, highly finished, and 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 and 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 Wiilxs-street is a sufficient indication of the growth of his business. Messrs J. aud T. Dank*, Christchurch, have an excellent exhibit of brass work, double and single-action iron and brass pumps, gasfittings, brass rails, ejectors f -r steam boilers, &3. °Some handy fire-extinguishers, which can be carried about easily, are also shown. One of Messrs J. and T. Banks’ specialties is a patent gas-burner, which is now in use in the Grand and Wain’s Hotels, and at Messrs Fergasson 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 is 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 in the consumption of gas. Messrs Ballinger Bros, exhibit Archimedean ventilators for largo 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-beaded nails, spouting, down-pipe, &c., are included amongst the exhibits, which are creditable specimens of local workmanship. When Messrs Ballinger Bros, took over the business of the firm four years ago they did nearly all the work themselves. They now employ 20 hands. Messrs S. Banks and Son, Brandon-street, Wellington, have not as yet placed their exhibits in the building, having bean very busy with the gas-fittioga for the Exhibition and other works. At the invitation of Mr Banks, sen., our reporter paid a visit yesterday to the workshop, where a pair of highly-finished brass buncles, which are said to be ,tbe first of the kind made in Wellington, and which are intended for the*Bxhibition r ware shown to him. Amongst the exhibits, which will be placed in the building next week, are some very fane 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 pur* poses, large deep well brass 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 show canister*. t treacle cans, bonnet boxes, slipper, hip, and sponge baths, umbrella stands, deed boxes, knife and spoon trays, the painting ana i decorating being done in the establimmeut, Mr Cameron having sent to two years ago for a man specially acquainted with that class of work. In tinware?, everything from a twenty-gallon railway milkcan to a bait pint pannikin are ahow, dairy utenaila 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 at the workshop. In ‘hat Particular line of goods it would be rather difficult to beat Mr Cameron’s exhibits. Mr T. Garland, Molesworth-street, We.lington, 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 handy washstand suitable for offices. Everything is highly finished, and the workmanship is very creditable. Mr F. J. Foothead, Newtown, shows some nice baths, tea and coffee canisters, coal scuttles, deed boxes, tea pots, water cans, &c. This is another creditable exhibition. AGRICULTURAL 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 bad an opportunity of inspecting machinery of a similar kind for some years past. £|egsra Reid and Gray, Dunedin, have t,
grand display of their special lines. The machines are nicely painted and lettered, whilst som- - ? of the ploughs are shown jn*t a* they came from the workmen’s hands. There are over 7v 00 double-furrow ploughs now in use, the following extract from the jurors’ report st the Melbourne Exhibition being a suf ficient testimony as to thtir value:—“liploughs, there is ouo exhibit to which wr wish to draw apsciat attention as being the best, and that is the duuhle fivro-.y of Keid and Gray, of Dunedin, New I finish and construct on it is far superior to any other,” Theyexbibic a combined doublefurrow and subsoiler, made in such a 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, filto 1 with swivel circular coulter,ia well adapted for ploughing rough laud ; whilst tho 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 in proper position. The New Zealand twine binder, with Gray’d patent knotfcer and other improvements, is a very fine machine. It has the advantage over the imported article that duplicates of any por tions which may be broken can bo 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 Oamarn, at which twelve machines competed, including all the leading American ones, Bold and Gray’s took second place. Chaff-cutter, force-feed seedsower, fitted with turnip attachment, chain harrows, grass, grain and manure drill, horsepower, &c., are exhibited, all reflecting very great credit on the firm. When Messrs Held and Gray commenced business in Dunedin, about fifteen years ago, they employed twenty hands. Now they give work all the year round to 250 men, and distribute £20,000 per annum in wages. All the woodwork and painting is done at the firm’d premises, as well the iron and steel portions. What Messrs Reid and Gray are to Otago, the firm of Messrs P. and D, Duncan, of Christchurch, are to Canterbury, their implements having always been noted for their superior finish and the durable quality of the materials. They have a grand exhibit of double and single-furrow ploughs, combined barrow and plough, hillside plough, combined double-furrow plough and subsoiler, corn crusher, combined manure and eeed drill, combined disc harrow and seed sower, disc harrow, cheese press, aud curd mill. In 1883, at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Show, Messrs Duncan took the President’s Cup, of 40 guineas, for the points ia the implement class* Their ploughs have generally been noted throughout the Colony for simplicity, durability and lightness of draught. Thousands of tboir ploughs are distributed throughout New Zealand, and amongst the testimonials as to their excellence ia one from the Rolleston, and one from Mr J. E. Fountains, manager for the Hon John Hall, at Hororata. In the double-furrow plough, with subsoiler combined, the lever for withdrawing the subsoiler from work ia very simple and effective. The three-furrow plough can be converted, if required, into a double farrow la a few minutes, so simple is its construction. There are no complicated parts, and the draught is very light. Messrs Duncan’s singlefurrow plough, for ordinary farm work, obtained the gold medal at the Melbourne Exhibition. The one-way, or hill-side plough, ia 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 tho manure, aud 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 derote their attention almost exclusively to the manufacture of chaffcutters of various kinds, hor«e-geats, 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 South Wales, where they have found a ready sale. Fatenia have also been taken out In England as well as in the Australian Colonies for improvements in 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. Ic Is claimed for the machinery exhibited by Messrs Andrews and Beaven that it ia much stronger and more durable than anything of the kind imported* The chaff-cutter is so constructed that the straw ia kept firm against the knives, which keep a sharp edge whilst 100 bags of chaff are being cut. Thia 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 cat 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 tabes ia a central cupper the grain or seed ia carried by a screw conveyor to each end, and in its motion the grain or seed falla through perforations, equal distances apart in the tubes, on to the land with great regularity, and in the requited quantity that is wanted to ba sown. To regulate the quantities a screw or lever is fixed a 1: th« end of the tubes to alter the siaa of the perforations. Without extra attachments the machine can sow wheat, oats, grass seed, &c,, or it can be used artificial manure distributor. Self-locking steel fencing standards are placed behind fcbla machine. Though the first cost is rather more, a great saving of time and 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. In tho South Island considerable quantities of fencing have been done by thia process. It is certainly very simple, and appears durable. The flexible harrow ia another exhibit of the Company, over 1000 of which are now in use in the Colony. Each tooth does its work independently the others, and the harrow can be taken to pieces in ten or fifteen minutes. A patent washieg machine ia 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 Koersfx, of Waverley, exhibit another strong wool press. Messrs Wallace and Hotham, of Otahnhu, Auckland, exhibit a very nicely constructed cultivator, suitable for potatoes, corn, carrots, beet, and other drill crops. The Acme Barbed Wire Company, Timaru, show seven different kinds of wire 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.
THE BAND CONTEST. The Band contest, which has been looked forward to with eager anticipation, commenced on Saturday evening with a performanoe by the Oamaru Band, under the direction of Mr George Jones. This fine band numbers twenty-seven performers; but in terms of the compelitiononly twenty could take part. They played a well-arranged selection from Wagner's romantic opera, “Tannbanser; ’ another from Meyerbeer’s popular opera, “Les Huguenots"—the latter as a test piece ; also, Eossini'a celebrated overture to “Setoiramide,” a selection from Verdi’s operatic works, and another from Spoht’s enperb oratorio, “The Last Judgment.’’ All were moat admirably played, and the universal verdict seemed to be that nothing superior, if indeed equal, to the performance in the way of brass baud playing had yet been heard in Wellington. It has been suggested to us 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 *o, but we may mention that of pieces oivon, perhaps the most meritorious and * r { J 'Jxb'e of all was the selection from Spohr’s “l.aat Tu lament,’’ the sweetness,softnc??, r.n-1 expression with which the famous quartet “Ble*t are the departed ” was interpreted, being *peci*l y remarkable. It is to be hoped that thia will be repeated, but the whole programme was excellently chosen, and will ‘>e very hard to beat by the other bands, Phe test of sight-reading was a march written by the judge, Mr Mackintosh, with the express view of proving the band’s capacity ia the various features of wind-instrument practice, such as double-tongning, unison shakes, chromatic &c., nl*o their quick* ness and readiness in reading by interpolating some sudden and unexpected pauses i » peculiar situations. The baud', however, passed ihe ordeal triumphantly, and b>th they and their able and enthusiastic conductor, Mr Jones, may bo cordially congratulated on their opening performance. Ouo thing struck us as specially praiseworthy, and that was their very orderly ami soldiery demeanour manifested in the way they look np their positions, and iu their thorough readiness to commence at once with *ufc 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, Thia was much appreciated by the audience.
WOOL. SEEDS, FLAX. ROPE, &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 tho 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 a’l, two Lincoln fleeces—one from an eight-tooth ram, which we’ghs 231 b aud is the growth of only eleven mouths ; and another from a aix-tooth ewe, weighing 2llb, Both of these exhibits are from the New Zealand and Australian Land Company r s flock, and it would be difficult to excel them ia character and breeding. Two choice fleeces from English Leicester (ram and owe) from I sheep of the celebrated flock of Mr P. CThrelkeld, Flaxton, Canterbury, come next. Ia moriaos, fleecesof sheep belonging to the following innholders are shown: —Messrs R. Campbell and Son, Sir John Hall, and Jos:-pb Pearson. All are in good order, and display gr«at 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 Romney Marsh sheep, the property of Mr A, Matthews, Western Lake, Wairarapa. The samples ara from rams aud ewes, also ram and ewe hoggets which have taken the leading prizes in their representative clashes at the Wairarapa Kast and West Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society’s Show. The wool ia partly washed, and demonstrates conclusively the value of Mr Matthews’ flock. An entire bale of scoured merino wool, snow white, is a feature of tbe exhibit, and is much admired. Thia wool is taken from sheep which have secured first prizes at Southern shows, and have been bred on Messrs R. Campbell and Son’s Otago property, A corner case contains greasy halfbred and quarter-bred wools, also secured combing and clothing merino, and eoonred 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 ia the Wairarapa, are shown. Two neat little cases are suspended on one side of the section, and show wool in the various grades, qualities, and length of staple, Oae case contains thirty to forty samples of merino wools, aud the other presents to the visitor a variety o£ long wools, namely, Lincolns aud Leicesters, aud the different crosses with the merino, fall descriptive particulars being annexed. Tho grain exhibits are exceptionally good. Amongst many others may ba noticed a magnificent sample of Tuscan wheat, large and even grained, giown by Mr Robert Dailey, Swannanoa, Canterbury, the weight per bushel reaching 631 b. A splendid sample of velvetchaff wheat, grown by T. and A. Paterson Ngapara, North Otago, 071 b per bushel ; and a choice sample of white velvet wheat from Lake Wakatipu* grown by Messrs Boyea Bros., weight 641 b per bushel, demonstrating the high fertility of some of tbe land in the neighborhood of Queenstown. Thera is a really good sample of pearl wheat grown by Mr E. Goodrich, Halswell, Canterbury ; weight, 66£lb. In oats, a bag of bright plump potato, grown by Mr J. R. Campbell, of Soukhbridge, weighing 511 b per bushel, and a grand sample of Canadian, from Messrs O* and J. M. Todd’s farm, at Taaneraki, North Ota io, weight 51 £lb per bushel, are particularly noticeable. In barley, a sample grown by Mr H. M. Lee, of Southbridge, ia worthy of notice, weight 691 b ; but the palm of superiority must be awarded to tho sample ot Chevalier barley grown near Lake Wakatipu by Mr J. Braden, weighing sS£lb per bushel. There is a sample of New Zealand grown white clover eeed, from the farm of Mr J. H. Macpheraon, Lake Side, Canterbury, aud a fine selection of peas, beans, oatmeal, flour, &c. Visitors to the Exhibition will bo well repaid if they thoroughly examine every sample of produce in this section ; and, after all, these products are the backbone of the Colony, aud upon which its future prosperity must mainly rest. The Company has now branches, with innumerable sub-agencies, in different parts throughout the world. In addition to the head office in London, there are branches at San Francisco, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Rockhampton, Launceston and Fiji. The capital of the Company ia set down at £3,500,000, and its reserve fond amount!) to £250,000. It ia one of the most flourishing companies iu the Australasian group. Its operations are conducted ou 0 scale ot great magnitude, and it has always I 3 ®- 11 fortunate in securing the services of capabla and energetic officers. The New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, of Canterbury, shows some fine specimens of Oregon wheat, Canadian and tawney oats, barley, rye-grass, goose-grass, hair-grass, timothy, cocksfoot, beans, peas, 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 ot blight-proof apple tress is exhibited, some apples grown on the Loid Wolseley biight-proot stock, three years old, being also shown. They are very fine dessert frnit. 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 the top, so that visitors can find out the names ot the various seeds. The case ia very ingeniously constructed. Messrs Nimmo and Blair, seedsmen, ruuedin, have a very extensive display of grassseeds, vegetable seeds, and flower seeds. Specimens of the various grasses m the stalk, nicely mounted on cardboard, are also shown. Mr Wm. Evans, Timarn, exhibits some excellent samples of Tuscan, violet, and red-chaff wheat; also Canadian oats. Messrs E. 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 pests are exhibited, which are rather a novelty, but must have an educational ten. dency. Messrs Hale, Thorp, aad 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, span yarn, hemp binder, aud New Zealand flax binder twine, plough lines, fishing and garden lines, &c. Atl are tamed out In very good order. b The Auckland Fibre Manufacturing Company have a good show of Manilla, coir, bolt, and lanyard ropes, binder twine, cflr matting, thatching yams, &c. Everythiog 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 aud plough lines, coil rope, and fire-escape lines, with rings attached. Mr J. C. Andrews, Rangiora, has a U’ce case of thin ropes, fishing lines, &c.
CAEEIA6E3 AND BUGGIES. There is an excellent and varied collection of exhibits in the carriage department, the North and South Island being about equally represented. They have been placed in the custody of Mr W. T. Leavers, coachbmlder, Vivian-street, who fitted op and nicely arranged them. Most of the visitors to the Exhibition have closely scrutinise! 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
entirety 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 b«*n 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 St be, is that the wheels are rather far apart to sustain tho 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! platform springs, and iron whiflkrees, with Atkin** patent centripedal brake, which is applied at tho fore instead of the hind wheel. The other improvements are described as li lining protecting, automatic folding front, head and automatic lights and Venetian.*, Elliot coucavex boot and neck, with side elliptic and coe springs at buck,” The tax-cart exhibited by the firm i* a.’so made of New Zealand timber. It is neat in appearance, and light in construction. Messrs Cousins and Atkins, who started in busbies* twenty years ago, claim that the indigenous woods are quite sound after a certain term of years, whiiot tho English and American timbers will go to dust, and that spokes made of tl-tree last lunger than the best imported hickory. A nice case, containing hubs, spokes, bauds, &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 beheld ia London.
Meters Rouse and Hurrell, Wellington— Dogcart, fitted with best lancewood shafts and Collins* patent axle ; takes the draught direct from the axle, and, therefore, puts no unnecessary strain on thc* spiings. Tho frame is made of ash, with cedar and kauri panels, the whole being stcougly built and nicely trimmed in cloth, A reversible waggonette is exhibited by the same firm, the fore-carringe being made of solid wrought iron, and buug on elliptic springs, with Collins* patent axle and brake. The waggonette, which is fi.ted with pole and shafts, is shown in the wood and iron, without either paint or varnish. Tho frAtne is made of ash, with cedar panels, the hubs and spokes being very strong. Me M. Bohan, Wellington—Queen Anne phaeton and tingle-seated buggy, hung oa elliptic springs, fitted with ratchet brake and movable back seat, and trimmed in leather. Both exhibits are strongly built and profusely painted Mr.f, Fltchett, Wordaworth-slreet, Wellington—Spring market cart, fitted with cushion and lamps, the woods being nicety lined and varnished. This ia the only exhibit of that kind shown. It is a remarkably good one, and well worthy of a place amongst the carriages and buggies. Messrs Muir and Dixon, Masterton— Doable-stated commercial buggy, fitted with brake, strongly built, suitable fur rough and hilly country, nicety painted, trimmed la leather, and carpeted. A very creditable exhibit.
MrD. Cameron, Grey town—Double buggy, hung on elliptic springs, with patent wheels. For a country exhibit the painting is remark* ably good, and tho buggy ia 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 Elmaly and Curlett, Christchurch— Village pony cart, trimmed in beat English leather, with movable seats, the wood being only varnished. It ia mounted on grasshoppersprings, with Celling’ 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 ia nicely finished, and the buggy appears very serviceable.
Air A. G. Howland, Christchurch—Family waggonette, fitter! with brake, pole, and shafts, hong on evener bars. An Abbott's buggy is ala.i 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, aud very neatly trimmed in leather. The same firm exhibits a single-seated buggy, bung on elliptic springs, and trimmed io leather. At the Melbourne Exhibition, the bnildtra took the prize fop circular.frontcd brougham. The lady’s phaetoa has been much admired.
Messrs Doon and Stevetts, Christchurch—-’Double-seated buggy, bung on three springs, with mail patent axles and brake, bung 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. Stewort, 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, bung on elliptic springy the fore-carriage being of solid wrought iron, with Sinclair's pacent 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 spring*, 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 Paguall cart, showing the quality of work which can be made from New Zealand timbers, is also exhibited. Messrs Langdown \nd Co., Christchurch, and Messrs Cousins and Atkin?, Auckland, have clearly demonstrated by thsir exhibits that the time for importing such large quantities of coachbuilder’s materials must be passing away. AU those engaged in the trade ought to inspect these exhibits.
TILE, POTTERY, BRICKS, &o. The exhibits in this class are exceedingly good. The drain tiles produced in Welling, ton, the pottery in Canterbury, and the floor tiles and fire-bricks in Auckland, have excited general surprise. Mr G. Norbury, of Taranaki-street, Wellington, has a large show of various descriptions of tilts in Sft lengths. There is a variety of bands and junctions of every shapa , 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 glczed. Mr Norbury, who has the largest display of this class of good?, took second prize at ihe Melbourne Exhibition of 1881, for drainage pipes. The goods which be now exhibits weie made of ordinary material, and not for show purposes. The whole of the exhibits are remarkable for uniformity of colpr.
The pipes range from 3in to 18in in diameter. Mr Norbury states that the clay to be found In Wellington is quite as good as that near Edinburgh, where be 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 Halrera Hills, 45 miles from Christchurch, have a large display of drain-pipe?, ia 3ft lengths, and ranging from Sin to 2IIn in diameter, with suitable stench-trap bends. All are made of
fire-clay and ganiater, the latter being a rare and valuable commodity for such purposes There are fhe»bricks of every description, and for every puipoes. A largevariety of chimney, tops, in terracotta, from Ift din to 6£s 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 hooey jars in various sizes are displayed. In garden borders, there are some nice varieties, and of various shanea* in tarr* Thaw
is a very fine collection of flower-pots, cast in planter of pans 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 best 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, la terracotta there are some very nice patterns in vases, also string-coursoi and window-bead?, suitable for brick buildings. The pottery includes bread and butter jars, teapots, pie-dishes, bowls, water-bottles, bird-fountains, closettraps, urinals, Jars - for spirits
cased la wicker, flower-pots, &c. There are fire-bricks of all kinds for range*, stable bricks, and bricks suitable for buildlogs, In tuspender flower-pots there are some neat and artistic designs. The exhibit, as a whole, are highly creditable. Messrs X?. Hutson and Go. are the Wellington agents for Messrs Austin, Kirk and Co., and aLo for Messrs Ford and Ogdon.
The Springfield Coal and Pottery Company show some very good drain and junction pipes. The fire-bricks aro a fine sample, and contain 78 per cent of fiillca. The floor tiles and malt kiln tiles are also particularly well finished, The Company at one time employed 200 men, hut the importations from Europe have been bard to fight against. The Company took tbs gold medal at tho Christchurch Exhibition. Their display here is an excellent one.
Mr Luko 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 admire J. Tho exhibits sent by Mr Adams are so varied that it ia 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 any 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 bo 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 station, and aro suitable for halls or passages. The designs in vases are very pretty, the pedestals being equally well finished. Mr Boyd appears to bo something more than a mere tradesman ; he must be man of aitistlc perceptions, His collection ia well worth a visit.
The New Zealand Iron and Steel Company, Onehuoga, 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, ia 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. AU 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 beat kind.
rHESEUVKD MEAT AND PISH. The Gear Meat Preserving anti Freezing Company occupies a prominent position at the juncture of the passages leading to the re. freahment room an! the ladies’ cloak room. This large and important local eutirprisa has provided exhibits Worthy of itself, and is eminently representative in all its stages ef 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, despito the downfall cf 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 IOO.OCO sheep annually to the Loudon market, of a total weight of nearly t,000,0001b. This quantity, large as it is, will be greatly increased when the duplicate machinery for the Company’s freezing hulk Jubilee baa been received from England, in about a month’s time. On
either side of the entrance to the enclosure y containing the sheep stand two cv-k* of fcallov/, gr, 7cwt each, one of best beef and oop of best mut[9 ton, each surmounted by syfcffoetrlcal aha[CJ d composed of the respective kinds of tallow >- moulded into bftrtel and piuuaole forms. This h tallow stands at the top of the list in the Lonh don market, whither the Company ships about 1600 tons per annum. On the left sids of ike ’s enclosure is a large stand taken up with a o splendid stock of round 6lb tins of preserved r. meats, as prepared for the British Admiralty, f t and by a smaller stack of 41b tins of ox 0 tongues 'and other specialties of tho C>me panyN* manufacture. These, however, by no j means exhaust the Company’s exhibit of a samples of preserved meats* as on a larger stand on the right band Vide of the enclosure, as well as on phelvea behind, are piled in vary 3> ing and massive stacks and circles a bewil lern ing variety of tins of all sizes, containing n every conceivable dish that herd or flock can y supply, and that the moat modern appliances g superintended by preserving skill are able to can. In preserved meats alone the Company - puts up thirty-three different varieties in ting, from lib to 81b weight, and its output is y greater than that of any other meat preservers in tho Colony, On the right hand stand a 1 stack of sample tins of soup, for which the S| Company is famed, and of which it Q tnres over a dozen kinds, ia to be f ,und. Its a brand for meats and soups commands a sale fir . in excess of onlpat, and in Australasia and 2 Great Britain especially holds a prominent position. The Company is under contract to 2 the British Admiralty, to whom it supplies a abont 300 tons annually, and it also provides > $ for the colonial requirements of the Preach I Government and of the German Navy to 1 the extent of ab.nt 200 tons more. Kilo-sized tins for the Continental market are 2 made in this Colony by the Company alone, . and it is the only exhibitor of pyramid cans of . comprtseed meat, by means of which it will be j ableto compete successfully with the American # packers. Pot this purpose the latest American } machinery has been obtained, and tho output , of this shape of can will bo greatly increased , in the immediate future. Por its exhibit at . the Antwerp Exhibition this year the Compan y i 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 aud sheep tongues, and, arranged ia pyramidal form, tierces, barrels, and kegs of corn beef, as supplied to the Admiralty, Loudon, 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 suddlv of this al*n tn tho
Admiralty! and its output is over 750,0001 b s year. In the front of the right-hand stanc are shown the less important, but not less interesting products of the Company’s works, viz., sample bottles of neatafoot and trottei oil, of which over 1000 gallons is annually produced ; a sample case of three varieties of booedost, which is ground down to the extent of 250 tons per annum ; and hoops, horns, and shankbooea, which iu 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 Petoue, whither its meal-preserving works (which are cramped for room in town, will also shortly be removed, and erected on an extensive scale, with the most modern 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 i steamers for transhipment of her load from her freezing chambers into those of the carrying vessel, thus precluding all chance of eveu an approach toward* 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 £4.6,000 is paid up. It has paid dividends half-yearly since its ioitatiou in November, 1883, of not less than 10 per cent,, and has a jeaerve fund of £IOOO. It employs several hundred persons, and uses about fifty horses in its retail business. A large retail business is done iu Wellington, where the business was first started iu 1810. The Wellington Meat Preserving and Refrigerating Company has a very fije,display of preserved meats, soups, tallow, and corned beef in casks. The soups include mock turtle, vermicelli, oxtail, macaroni, vegetable, gravy, mulligatawny, Scotch brotb, kidney, gravy, and other kinds. In tinned meats there are boiled beef and mutton, corned beef, rissoles, tripe, staffed sheeps’ hearts, curried chops, Eppiog pork sausages, brawn, &c. The Company is doing a very large retail and export trade, aud bids fair to become one of the most important in tha Colony. Last year the Company slaughtered 3400 cattle, SO 0 sheep, 2900 lambs, 500 calves, and 2000 pigs. The exports consisted of 1300 casks, representing 500 tons (f fcillow ; 4500 cases of preserved meats, and 430 casks of ccrned 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 fire uft mfactured Jby the Company, the soups being mad© by a person who tpojs U)9 gold
medals at tbo Sydney aud Melbourne Exhibitions, The Company, though not yet two years in existence, employs ICO bauds, and is now slaughtering 300 sheep per day for frcEfcmg 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, corbed, roast and spiced beef; boiled, corned and roast mutton ; beef, pork and meat sausages 5 oyster, or-tail, mock turtle and gravy soups f sheeps tongues, brawn, tripe, mince, bx cheek, stewed ox cheek, pig*? &c. Messrs Hellaby have been engaged in the preserving trade four or five years, and employ fc large number of hands, The demand for their meats and soupiis so great that they cannot keep pace with it.
Mr Nicholas Feroaodoa, Wellington, has a nice exhibit of boiled fish in tins, consisting of warehou, hutterflsb, rupuka, moki, schapper, kawhin (or NewZsalaod salmon), and herrings," The fish has been prepared by Mr Fernamios, who has preserving works ftt Polirua, Ho employs forty men at fishing, preserving, and distributing the fish. Niue years ago, when ho started in business, be did all his 0 jvz>. work, without any assistance, M'S«rs Thomson Bros., of the Pacific Packing Company, Port Chalmers, have a one of preserved fish, including about 13 different varieties, consisting of harike, soles, crayfish, cockles, oysters, cod, hapuka, lobster, Otago chick*, haddocks, and tkates. The fish is prepared in different ways in lib and 2lb tins, some varieties being kippered and salted, the others being tinned fish. Messrs Masefield and Sons, Kaipara, have a nice display of lire celebrated New Zealand tinned mullet. Four fishing boats are employed regularly in this industry, the fish being found in unlimited quantities. Four hundred dozen are preserved every week, seventeen hands being employed in the canning factory and five in the tinsmith's shop. Before Mbisrs Masefield and Sons (who are the only firm engaged in 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 hare gone into different branches of colonial industry, The Picton Fish Curing Company has an exhibit of herrings in cases and in lib to 6lb tins.
LEATHER, SADDLERY, BOOTS, AND SHOES. LEATHEB. The Ngahauranga Tannery, which is said to be the largest in the Colony, has a long case, about 10ft high, with sliding glass door?, in whfah are exhibited nearly every aescriptno of leather used by saddlets and shoemakers. Hr Alfred Tver turned out last year 45,000 sides of leather and 275,000 calf, pig, goat shins and basils. Out of that number 14,566 sides were s,)ld to Wellington manufactures. The harness leather, belting, sole leather, kip, and stained goods are equal to anything that can bo imported or turned out la the Colony, and pobsBSS this merit, that they are not get up expressly for show, but are a ffttr sample of what are sent out of the works daily, which are taxed to their utmost to supply the orders from all parts of &tw Zealand —so much so that Mr Tyer.is about enlarging the plant to the extent of 20 pits, la 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. Hr Tyer is putting up mills so as to use birch bark for tanning all upper leathers, which, from the almost nnexhauatible supply of birch bark in the Wellington district, will open up another very Important industry. Six hundred and fifty tons o* bark are used annually, so that if the local bark can be utilised to advantage, as Hr Tyer ia confident it can, it will mean keeping a large amount of money In this district. About 5000 sacks o! lime and 1000 tons of coal are used eWry year at the tannery, where Ihfire are no less than 246 soak pita. This industry, which is now of such imp>rtance to the whole district, was started in a
small way, and has grown larger year by year. Hr Tyer Is a believer in other local manufactures as well as his own. Whatever can be procured with advantage gets tbs preference at his tannery. Messrs Bowroa Brothers, Woolaton, near Christchurch, exhibit a very nice collection of white skivers for bottle?, 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, ia varied colors, are shown. The exhibit is a highly creditable one. Messrs Bowion 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 and 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 ia all his experience be 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 russet ca'f, black grain, stained bag, colonial calf, legging, and split and kip leather are also shown. In saddlers’ goods there ia a collection cf black harness, brown harness, and basils. This exhibit ought to have been placed near Mr Tyer’s and Messrs Bowroa Bros.’ It is hidden away to a great extent now, aud is well worthy of a much better position.
Messrs Chag. Greatrex aud Son, wholesale saddlers, Wellington, have a very nice case of saddlery, consisting of fall-shafto steeplechase saddle, with doe seat, domi-exerciaa 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 bestatyleof workmanship, are both light and durable. There is a varied assortment of thongs—four-horse coach, four-horse waggon, bullock, cart, hunting, and stock thongs. The bullock thongs are made in white and green hides, the plaits 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 hogskius, 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 hare been found equal to almost anything imported. Mr Cox states that Mr Tyez’s manufactures are superior to any others tried by the firm. Independent of the warehouse, Messrs Greatrex and Son employ about a dozen hands
in Wellington. The head establishment ia at Walsall, in England, and there are branches at Hanover, in Germany ; Durban, in Natal'; as ia 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, Lambtoa-quay, Wellington (who succeeded in 1542 to the business which bis 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, portmanteau*, leggings, leather beltings. Government portfolios, ladies’ and gentlemen’s Pelham and Weymouth bridles, in fiat and round work, horse and pony snaffle bridles, hunting breastplate and martingale, in ivory, nickel, aud plated mountings. There is a very large display of small knick-knacks 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. ThesekCrEvansintends competing at the Exhibition. Everything has been made by colooially-trained workpeople.. There are a doz?n hands employed. Samples of neatsfoot and trotter oil, saddle and harnessoompositions, and boot dubbings are shown—all made by Mr Evans. The oils look very pure.
Mr W. Wiggins, Lambton-quay, has a largo 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-orer 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, sticbed in blue silk ; full-sized all-over English hogskio, 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 seta 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 opn premises. The stitching is yerycestij
and artistically done, whilst the mountings are of the beet 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 ornameir.ei. Though strong and durable enough, it is too good altogether for every day nae, but for show purposes and market d&yC U would look splendid on a g«Jod Clydesdale, A set of plain Scotch harness is also shown, also a nine assortment of leathers and girths. The leathers used were obtained frotn Messrs Hurst and Co.'h tanhery* and Mr Wiggins states that they are quite equal to anything that can bo imported. The only thing?: Imported sre patent leathers, hoggins, and trees. Mr Wiggins CdVploya aboue eighteen hands. Messrs H. Brace and Co., Auckland (a branch of the large saddlery warehouse in Great Britain) has a Casa Of saddlery, one lady’s riding saddle being very beautifully worked in blue silk. Jockey’s, hunting, and atockrider’a saddles are also shown. The exhibit, though small, is very Creditable, ipOOTB i.NO SHOES. Mr E. T. Cartwright, Auckland, has a display of 60 different patterns of uppers, all highly finished, from a lady’s fine aattn 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, AH are got up in the very beat style, and are neatly arranged. Messrs R. Hannah and Co.’, Wellington, show 73 different kinds of bpcts and shoes, such as are mndo £o? eVery day use, from a boy’s copper toe to a gentleman’* or jockey’s riding boot. A few of these may be specially mentioned for their excellence, such as the lady’s kid Oxford shoe, with Wurtemburg heel; lady’s extra high Hessian Uce, gentlemen’s porpoise hide ahedting boot, with \7ide welt; and gentlemen's Oxford calf patent dinner shoo, Messrs Ftfioflah &nd Co. have made a specialty of the hobnailed watertight boots, made of water-resisting kip leather, which are much used by the miners on the West Coast. In the bespoke portion of the case there is a pair of jockey boot?, made of Tasmanian wallaby skin, wbh pump bottoms, the pair weighing only 9oz. The French calf wrinkled riding boot, glove-kid Balmoral wak’ng 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 pet anuim, 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, Auckland, Mr W. Nicholls, of Christchurch, has a neat display of a dozen different kinds of boots and shoes, from a gentleman's dress shoe to a heavy shooting boot. The seamless choc la claimed as a specialty. It certainly looks a great improvement on the fine-pointed shoe which appears to be again getting fashionable, and of. which Mr Nicholls shows several kindo'j . The Oxford patent leather brogue, the grain water-tight, and gentleman’s gaiter, are all very superior, and band-sown. Mr Nicholla 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 and shoes. In style, finish, and general get up, the Northern factory appears quite able to hold its own wilh those of Wellington and Christchurch,
Mr A, Lindsay, Wellington, exhibits two cases o£ boots and shoes. The bespoke work is represented by a very fine display of boots and fih-ies, made ia 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 boots are made after the choicest patterns imported from the best houses in Stafford. Rlr Lindsay states that there is no difficulty whatever in getting the workmen to turn out everything in the most finished sfcyl*, but the leather for the better class of boots and shoes is difficult to obtain from the colonial tanne ies. The shearer’s shoe is 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 Hurat 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 about 30 baud*, turns out about 10,000 pairs of boots and shoes every year. McG.H.Poynter, Tinakorl-road, Wellington, has a very neat case of boots and shoes, the work ia which appears to be a very superior kind. Ladies’ satin ballroom shoes, ladies’ satin prunella boots, ladies* evening shoes with re* volvlog heels, gentlemen’s court shoes, Mephiatopheles' boots, pauay 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 neatlyffinished ladies’ glove-kid Balmorals, ladies’ cloth Oxford, patent goloehed, 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 Lightb md, Allen, and Co., of Christchurch, have tho 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 iu this case. At the back of the case a grained sca-boot is shown, which appears to be a first class article. It has driven the celebrated Hardy’s imported sea-hoot out of the colonial market. Leggings of various kinds are also shown. Messrs Lightband, Allan, & Co., employ about 240 bands at their factory, and pay from £20,000 to £30,000 per annum in wages. They manufacture about 200,000 pairs of boots and shoes annually. Mr M. Boyd, heel and toe-plate manufacturer, Wellington, who u 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 bo imported. Mr Boyd supplies the trade in Wellington and other parts of the Colony with bis 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 jet. 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 bauds, brass bottoms and corners ; two of same class of books, showing hand-sewing and machine-sewing. There is also a variety of other acconnt 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 ; “ Hochatetter’s New Zealand,” in morocco, elegant tooledgilt edges; “Indigenous Grasses of New Zealand/' morocco, with landscape view of LakeWanaka in gilt on cover; specimens of books bound in full calf, half extra, with gilt tops ; miscellaneous assortment of books bound in half calf, neat. There are
also exhibits of cloth, gold, and ink blockings. This office baa 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, counterpart in solid copper, produced by the electrotyping process, and wrought iron locking-up 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 acceptances, drafts on demand, cash receipts, receipts for goods, copying letter books, and manifold writers of every description. School exercises and 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 plana and maps, debenture forms, certificates, yearly calendars, lithographed in numerous colors, and cameo printing, form a novelty, and show to Wbftt
extent this firm has progressed,. The binding exhibits comprise account books of all cescrlptions, bduud in modern styles, The most noticeable of thes* ia to. insurance register cf Various patterns of printing and ruling, magnificently bound in full calf, double Russia bands, the size being double imperial. This io tho largest commercial tank In Ike Exhibition ; a royal ledger, bound in full green vellum* double Russiaband?, half elegant; and a /nil R'A*sla double under band book. The workmanship of these books is o? tho highest order. The other books exhibited range from double Russia bands to memoranda, scrap albums, and address case?, elaborately bound, .with bevelled edge?, &c. Books o! Room's and law books are bound in all concelvablestylep, and well merit inspection, Messrs Lyon and Blair also exhibit ft callgraph printing machine, cf ;Vhlch they are agents. A young lady attendant shows the working of it to visitors. This machice ia a recent invention, and it has already proved a great boon to business firms and offices generally, Messrs Vt liltcoxobe and Tombs, Christchiirch, exhibit a variety of stationery and books in rough calf Russia bands, and one with v-llum corners. The assortment com prises account books in calf binding and canvas?. One specimen in bound in red niorocco, half extra. There ia a variety of calf and morocco books half extra. This firm has aho two stands of stationery, which include schooj books and ruled writing paper. Mr Lanksbear 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, Rua ia under bands, double and Single Russia bands, whole calf and goat, whole diced .and smooth roan letter-press books', of which thbre are about twenty volumes bound in padded morocco and calf. The sidsa are perfectly plain, forming a good contrast to Ihe tooled backs and gilt e Iges, These exhibits were made personally by Mr Lanksbear, and, although not got up specially fop the Exhibition, they are well and strongly bound, Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell, the wellknown manufacturing atatjouors in Dunedin, 1 are well represented by a Case o! bookbinding and ft very good exhibit from their Ocago Paper Mills; .They also, show a copy of the ; Dunedin Evening Herald for July 28 of this year, printed on paper made at their own milk. This is the first time that printing paper has been successfully manufactured iu the Oolony, 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, &c, 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 goed samples of blue papers (as supplied for the use of candlemakers), a first-class specimen of yeUowpnntlng and two reams of white printing, the latter being a source of much interest to visitor?, 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 bag-*, fifteen girls are kept constantly at work. The mills have been entirely rebuilt within the last four months,and giveemployment toover thirty hands, the mill being kept workieg 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 iu full Russia, with elaborately laced bands, occupies the centre of the case, this being the largest size of account book made, and it ia 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 neatly 100 hands.
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 menugoes, .Dresden moss, glace, chocolate and chocolate maccaroons, moss, &c. Xu 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 Yankee candies, rashers of bacon, cooking and eating apples, peaches, cocoaunt and almond balls, honeycomb candles, grape rocks, &c. In liqueurs there are orange and lemon slices, fondants, jujubes, Turkish delights, sugar candies, French jellies, roilypolJie slices, chocolate and nonpareil creams, with watches, mice, fish, &c. 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 be is told that the plum pulding is entirely made of sugar, and .that there is not a particle of the usual ingredients in it. Ranged all round are twisted sugars, with baskets, frosted work, &0., 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, figures, &o. On one of the frames tho words •* Wellington Biscuit and Confectionery Company ” form the centre, being composed of sugar-work iu various colors, and on the other “ All Colors Warranted Pure ’’ ere conspicuous. In the selection of the colors the greatest care is taken to avud deleterious matter of any kind, aud the London agent of tho Company States that everything has been submitted to a medical test. The Company employs thirty-five hands, aud 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 Wrighton, 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 in 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 Wrighton has balf-a-dozsa bands employed, and uses about four tons of sugar every week. He intends to go in for fruitpreserving next year. He came to the Colony from Dundee, which 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 fl ur, wheatmeal, rice flour, split peas, and superfine flour, all being manufactured by the firm, A nice display of biscuit boxes completes a very creditable I exhibit. I
Mr J. Godber, Ouba-sfcreet, Wellington, exhibits two wedding cakes—one being very tastefully ornamented with sprays, orange blossoms, flowers, leaves, &0., 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* la one of the neatest in the building. Mr Godber employs about a dozm hands. He was able last year to place ten cricketers out of an eleven in the field in a friendly match. Messrs Wilson and Son, Wlllis-atreet, 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 sides, &c. The fruits are placed in one fancifully worked basket, the vegetables io 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 uf 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, bat the general get-up is so faulty that be migbt have saved himself the trouble* At tbe other side of the building Messrs Auleebrook and Co.’s large exhibit is placed. There is a varied assortment of biscuits of fifty different kinds, from small pearl to cabin bread. Biscuits of every description are now made up in lib and 21b tins, similar to the Home goods. In glass-front cardboard boxes, Canterbury cakes—citron, seed, and currant—aro shown. The ordinary round, universal, and equate lunch biscuits are packed in case*
ranging from 50ibs to 10 lbs. Tfcr*3 common kinds of ship biscuit, such ad are used in the havy gaols* &c,, are shown. Messrs \ulsebrook and Co. are now large manufacturers of cabin bread, haying lately secured a contract from the t'Tew Zealand Government for the supply of 200 tons, the first portion of which was sent to the South 3ea islands in the Janet Nicoll. It ia packed in 501 b tin?, which *»re rendered air-tight by soldering. Mr Aulaebrook commenced business hi Christchurch ia 1803, dolfcg all the work himself. He now employs 25 men, 12 boys, and 14 girls, the latter bains* engaged In the packing department. There is a consumption of 16,000 dozen eggs per annum, which are all preserved by a special process et the fi ll’s premises. All the flour used is manufactured by the firm, whose milling capacity at the present time is about 3000 tons per annum. Messrs J. Bycroft and 00., Auckland, have their exhibit close byj Consisting of 86 different kinds of biscuits, from ratafias and ginger wafers to saloon biscuits. There are citron, cinnamon, cocoanut, lemon, lime, maccaroons, sultanas, spice nuts, 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 O. Stone having been,one of the principals for many years; ,Two flour mills are kept constantly at work—one in Auckland, the other at Onebunga. A .large export trade is done by the firm, who employ a large number of bands.
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 biscuit? 1 , 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 ia very cleverly executed.
At the other aide of the stage Mr Salvatore Lezza, of Christchurch, has a large glass case, containing an assortment of tropical and New Zsaland candied fruits. In tropical fruits there are preserves of oranges, lemons, citrons, pineapples, water and rock melons. Apricots, peaches, plums, gooseberries, raspberries, pumpkins, all grown in Canterbury, are preserved. Mr Lezz*, who is manufacturing confectionery in one of the annexes, st. tea 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, &e. The .Public Works Department exhibit about, 400 pieces of New Zealand woods, polished and in tho rough, about 100 drawings and photographs, 20 pieces ,of stone, and i models, The court is an annex to the original Exhibition, the Department having been unable to obtain space ia 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, the top has been covered with black cloth, aud specially good pieces of wood shown on it. On the walls, which are covered with a neutral tint; paper on two of the aides, are hung drawings. aud 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, bat its nakedness will in a day or two be hidden ly a large model of the Rakaia Gorge Bridge, In the centre of the room a table has been erected, so as to leave a passage sft at sides and 7ffc wide at the ends, panelled 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 iu the centre, flanked on either side by large flitches of timber on end, above which photographs are hung, as on the walls. Round the outer edge of the table are placed models, stone, choice pieces of timber, &c. About 400 varieties of timber are exhibited, in all shapes and aizs. Generally these have been cut to a length of 3ft. and in the case of pieces under 12io 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 centra 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 altornattly light and dark, or vice versa. The flitches are placed generally about 2ffc apart, the space beiug filled up by two smaller pieces. At the south end of the room a piece of red birch (Pagus fusca), sft 6in x 5f% with a piece of kauri, 6ft 21a x sft Bio, 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 panelliug, the following are noticeablePuriri and mottled kauri* Auckland ; rimu and white pine, Wellington ; manuka, Nelson ; honeysuckle and totara, Auckland • matai, Wellington ; rata, kawaki, rimu, West Coast district ; golden pine and totara, Nelson ; white pine and totara, Canterbury, On the tables several nice knots are shown, viz , knots of puriri, Auckland j rimu, Wellington j totara, Wanganui and Nelson, Pieces of black maire end totara kosfc, cubes, Wellington ; and slabs of mail ©, Wanganui; akeake, Auckland ; rcwacewa, Nelson, look very 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, &c., 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, &c., a water-color sketch by Mr O’Brien, of Auckland, of the Wingatui Viaduct, Otago Central Railway, attracts attention. As observable in most mechanical drawings, it is rather hard, but gives a very good idea of the bridge and its surroundings. Elevations of the Wiogatui Viaduct, the new Waiau-ua Bridge, which ia to replace the old horse bridge, and bridge over the Clutha River, Otago, are 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 beat being ono 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, Huronui-Bluff, WellingtonNapier (including Rimutaka), WellingtonFoxton, Anckland-Waikato, Waimea Waterrace, West JCoast, &c. A painting, showing method of tunnelling, lent by Mr Blair Mi Inst., C.E., is also exhibited, which gives a very good idea of the work to the nninitiated. 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 ex-
hibited :—l. Horae bridge over the Waiau-au River, Hanmer Plains, Nelson, a relic of the old provincial days. It was built by Mr Blackett, M. Inst. O.E, now Engineer-in • Chief, when Provincial Engineer, and evinces great skill la 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 consiJeratioD. No scaffolding was used in the construction at all, the carpenters starling from the sills and working upwards. The clear spaa 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, ia to be erected at the same spot, and on the same principle. 2. Model
of Patterson Bridge over the Taieri River, Hurnnui-Bluff Railway. This is a very good model, and is the private property of Mr Blair, Tbe bridge consists of four 80ft spans of the usual standard pattern. 3. Model of centre span, Opaki Bridge, over Ruamahuuga River, Wellington, Woodville Railway. This is a model of au 80ft span truss bridge built, to au 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 cwt 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 totarafonr pieces are exhibited, lent by the Wellington Harbor Board, taken from Queen’s Wharf, some of which has been over 23 years exposed to the action of sea and worms, and is now perfectly sound. Against this some ironbark, only two jears under similar circumstances, is Been to be quite riddled by the teredo navalfs worm.
Owing to the short time available, as great a number of exhibits bare not been got together as might have otherwise been the cose. The whole exhibit was got together from time of instruction in abont she
weeks, and great credit is duo to Mtssrs Blackett and Blair, Engioeers-ia-Clief, and the varioas district officers for their
expedition and .exertions, Tbe annex and ex Mbits were built and fixed in a fortnight, under the superintendence of Mr C'onnall, the
Engineer in charge of the Wellington c fs* tiict. Mr Hayns, bis deputy, also worked very hard, as well as the meu under him. Some of the choicest things will probably be sent to the Colonial Exhibition in Lmdou,
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 7553, 14 August 1885, Page 5
Word Count
31,394NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 7553, 14 August 1885, Page 5
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