AT THE EXHIBITION

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3004, 16 December 1896, Page 3

AT THE EXHIBITION

THE NEVANAS ORGAN RECITAL.

A delightful programme wa* given las* night upon the Croft organ by the gifted visitor, Mr Maurice C. NevanM, organist and director of the choir at St. Andrew n Parish Church, Liverpool. Mr Ncvana*, who a seeker after health, having eighteen month*’ leave from St. Andrew n, wa* hoard one day touting the organ at tho Exhibition, and tho executive found him bo amiably inclined that at their request ho readily agreed to the suggestion that ho should give a rental thereupon, and in spite of the dismal weather a very largo audience listened and heartily appreciated and applauded each item. Ihe items on the programme included some beautiful pieces, such as the evor-nopulor War March of the PrionU from Mendelssohn a Athalio, Handal’y very lino and justly-colobrated Largo and Smart’s melodious Festal Maroh. Thou wo had two # bright bit 4 of Mr No van as’ own composition, a Lullaby and an Intermezzo, and an arrangement of “ Tho Pilgrim of Love” and “Tho Lanky of Allan Water ” brought out tho popularity of tho familiar tuuoflfrom' a mixed audience, and the same thing was noticeable later on when the organist played a Transcription of “The Letter Lana” (Cowon). JtUclTrf Andante and Allegro also wade a mont acceptable contribution. Mr Novanaa hi an organist of tho quiet, unassuming type, is minsicianly in his interpretations, neat in manipulation, and one who can bring all tho sweetness uug tone possible out of tbo organ. Wo may hear Mr Novanaa again the sooner the bettor—and in the meantime ho goes to Nelson for a few months to supply at tbo Wesleyan Church there. It is pleasant to hear that his short stay in our Colony has so fur benofited < his health as to enable him to return to Liverpool as it were a new man, and those who have had the pleasure of hearing him hero wish him the best possible health in tho days that are to come. ■ THE MAKING OF BOOKS, LOCAL MANUFACTURES, Ac. WUITCOMBB AND TOMBS AND THE EDUCATION QUESTION. Of tho making of books teaching the young Now Zealander in tho primary ideas and the rudiments .of tho three R’s and other and general knowledge, Messrs Wbitooinbo and Tombs Invo got furthor than tbo beginning. They aro established, they are perhaps the host known of all oar publishing houses, and of tho end of their hooky—well, there is no end ; for to say ho would bo to infer that Mr Whifccomhc’s brainory had emptied itself of idea* and that tho enterprise of tho firm bad become a dead thing. Of tho making of books there is apparently no end with W. and T., a* with other and furthor-off.houses. Tho bare enumeration of tho titles of tho publication* issued by Messrs Whitcomb© and Tomb* would be too severe a tax upon Exhibition spice, and in their largo bay they show more articles than we can set out in detail ; bub some meed of justice must bo done tho pyramid of educational works there shown. Tho Southern Crons alone, and these are their groat, but not their only specialty, cover at least 17 groups, and each group, with the nix standards ( of our primary schools, runs into from six to thirteen divisions. That will give visitors some idea of tho groat enterprise this firm entered upon when they undertook ihoir now deservedly much-used school series, each book in which- — the three R’s as well as the other coumoa of learning—is specially written or prepared for young Now Zealanders. They cheap, well and strongly bound, printed in clear typo on good paper, and tho illustrating, which is on a most liberal scale, is in thoroughly up-to-date processes of reproduction. Lying near to hand are specimen ens;ravings used in the different books. Drawing and writing-books have received especial attention, and tho oroct writers show tho very latest methods of penmanship. The supplementary copy book is a commercial oduoitor in itself, and lads who have just left school would do well to study its advice. The public school atlas, with its 40 maps and numerous diagrams and pictures, is a lino work. These are all to bo aeon bn the pyramid, and it id hard to convince tho people who behove that nothing good in quality can come out of our own Colony and printing houses that these things are all got-up, lithographed, and engraved and printed in New Zealand, On tho opposite corner id’’ a stack showing another great and successful venture —IV ow Zealand diaries. Of those there are 110 less than 52 distinct kinds, in makea and bindings totalling fully $0 varieties/ ranging in price from hd to 11a (Jd. The lady oar? got a lit lie gom to suit the recording of her many ot.lls and engagements; tho commercial man will find compilations giving him every information hia business .requires j and tho work connected with the diaries, keeps a gtaff employed- fully' nine months in tho year, A feature of Messrs Whitoombe and Tombs’ business is that they employ a largo staff, fully 200, and all their work is done in tho Colony. Amongst the other publications essentially colonial may bo named Mr-Murphy's popular “ Handbook of Gardening for New Zealand,” Cox’s .** Mon of Mark ” and “ Recollections.” tho University Examination Series, and Alfred Saunders’ “ History of New Zealand,” just being issued from the press, specimen mates and pages frohf which are shown in pnp of Bio cases in the Exhibition, Nfito-papof.* sqjtablp for with whom the firm haa a large connection, is there, ruled, out and packed up to the finest grade. A showcase headed “Exhibit of W. aud T.’s every day work ” contains fine specimens of binding, from passbooks to the moat massive of ledgers, lettered, tooled and finished in the highest style, all made in tho Colony. Various frames show specimens of very superior lithographic writing and printing, plain and coloured ; and also excellent copperplate work, both by tho Christchurch and tho Wellington artist. Those who aro given to following things from cause to effect cannot do better than study tho ahow-caao lying against the wall, containing an object lesson in reproduction from typo. There he will see papermacho mould, tho storoo-plato, tho print; or, again, the wax mould, tho “ shell,” the finished electrotype, the proof. Tho stages of making a rubber-stamp are shown in tho game way. A moat interesting case, indeed, and printers especially should find much to study aud admire in its contents. Tho firm of Whitcomho and Tombs, with its branches at Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington, is too well known to need special attention. Its large ; promises now being erected on Lambton quay spook emphatically of the place occupied in our city by its trade, and to Me G. H. Whitcombe belongs prbat credit for A cbtirag'oous' enterprise Vbi<?b Jxas'given tbii Colohy the publioatioba sent forth from hia house; thd Wellington branch bf'udnoh is in tho cdvpablohaTula of Mr ET. VV. Burg'carf, whb ’finds an’ able and progressive ifiatfager oftherlooal factory ih Mr E: Hicks. All New Zealanders’ must wish siiocesS to a catioorn whichda essentially'of' anq for Nbw Zealand. '

' V. yAyyl}f AND STAISfED-QLASS WINDOWS. 'itla'qqt given 'fo pvory house of palpting and sign-writing arid such like Unes of business to possess an artist, yet that suph pithe happy lot of Air 8.. Martin, of_ Manners street, convincing evidence is given in exhibit No. situate pear t]io fountain. Tho visitor oannot miss this display, for some peantifnf ' etdfnea;glnsfl windows jnijtar.tly hatch the eye. Many people' givp it biit a passing glance under the impression that it fa" bat another made-ip-Gotmpny affair, {jut they"arp mistaken, arpl" tijo Toijfs won)4 now draw special pttonfiqn'thereto, ancf emphasise the fpct- to all supporters ant) admirers of local industry that' al} tjie deijd-hght work phown in the Mattip spa.oe )s of We'(ington make, and, with "tho oXtepUoa of the jewels ■ shining from 'the top of tho ease, the glass was all designed, painted, stained, burnt and leaded on- Mr Martin’s promises. That the work hits been well done » practical test proved, the glass being severely scraped with a knife, and the colour remained true to itp burning.' ' (jeaupor of thxg*ppjy apepiplpy of the 9* Captor, whq poa-lieen with Mr Martin for a juimbpr of years. Hia first if-tterapfc was tpab sfi Jjy 3ft Uoipcatip Window, u Melody,’ 1 suitable fop a staircase j that nui'l o Wfcpld prqgroßD the second window shoiyaj ‘ I ttm the Good Bhopborcj." It takes an artists oyo to oatqh and point out tho only flaw in a beautiful piece of harmonious oolourlnsr. This subject, suitable for church work, is Bft by2ift. The third window is entitled “The Babes in tho Wood,” and, like tho others, it is harmonious and effective. There are also samples of plain Ipaded design o another fe*fara of the burnt work J 9 that .in which ladies artistically"'inclined can, paint their own china sots in indexible colours and send them to Martin’s to be permanently fixed by fire. Specimens of sach are shown. They are the only firm in - tho North Island that has attempted -this burnt work. # Other specialties of Mr Martin’s business are also shown. • His embossed glass and silver advertisement*, framed oobiplete, are not to bo beaten by guy thing imported, either jp ollccf or price. ‘ A elate qf bis bblOljbqura polish is shown 1 likewise ahanqsomg picturetrarae of gilt, plush and sand mount. There ate tins of eremonium, for linoleums, floors and bikes, and another quality for boots. In other of his own manufactures ho shows floor-stain and varnish, Elootrio Varnish,. Venetian Blind paints, &0., and, as is well known, he deals largely in importations of Artists’ materials, window glass, paints, artistic and other bapethangir.ga, glqas Shade's, globes, mirror glass, aid Such like and hkndsbmh wares. THE 31’DERMC/pT AIJO THE BCTEOLAK, Mr McDermott is an Auckland inventor, and his 'connection with burglars comes in Wfth his patent elootrio burglar alarm, which has proved most effective iu soaring off some dozen woiyUbbo thieves in Anaklana, whore the alarm’has about 200 patrons,*" and down, hero in Wellington, although the Ingenious device only came down practically nbont the opening time of tho Exhibition, some 20 places of business and houses have had the tell-tale put In. Xu that space (close tq To Aro ifoijse bay) set apart for a hqmber of novelties, thori) is shown a model with tho 2[aro> fixed upon window, door, staircase, flooring and sate, the trying of the handles or turning of the key to any of whioh connects the eleotrio current, and you oan boar the boll ring 500 yards away. , So it is with houses connected—the whole bouse will bo awakened, and tho neighbours all aronnd you also. For banks, offices and general places of business it is better than a whole polioo force. Even an attempt to sever a connecting wire is duly rung ont in the rattle of tha alarm. Mr McDermott is going to Sydney to float a company, to work hie invention, Messrs Cook and Gray aro looking after his interests in this city, whore also Mr Winzenbntg is-looatod as electrician, and Mr It. Parkinson gives operations of its going order in the Exhibition, and also travels with it in theeityand suburbs. After looking at this ingenious affair, one quite understands why all those undesirable immigrants have fled our ahoroa. - ■ - . PAtJtISTRT AND THE OIPSV QUEEN. Iter name is Madame Mnrphy, visitors are requested not to leave the Exhibition without seeing her, an argument iu favour of which is that she has for mally years studied the inflasngCs of life upon tho palm, and although she admits she cannot, "and does not protend, in any way foretell the future, Madame claims py scientific) methods 1 to describe past exgefienges, and, within certain limits, to je»d

the character and disposition ot her subjects. “Tho man who does the Exhibition tor the Tjmks ” hud an interview with the Queen. He found she does not use crystal bowls, serpent skins, skulls, Chine.se hieroglyphics or even a black cat. She simply used a good pair of eyes and a knowledge of palmistry, gave a verv faithful account ot onr past life, and of what she said as to future indications on tho hand—wed), there is apparently lots of time in tho future to use ol their truth. max Kitreissra’s icb-chbsts and bbeuCOOLERS. Now is tho season when Old Sol comas out for all the heat ho is worth, making healthy humanity molt and long for a bit of the Polar regions to carry round as an ice-chost-coMer. This is just the state of things Mr Max Kroiasig has brought bis inventive genius to boar upon. Ho patented in October and September of this year most practical _ icochestfl and beer-coolers, and Mrs Kreissig is in attendance every afternoon and evening at tho Exhibition (on your left hand as you cuter tho reserved - seat entrance to the concert hall is the position) to show and explain the simplicity of a summer commodity which every housewife longs for, which every dairy needs aud looks for, which hotels will find to mightily please the thirsty wayfarer who wants his drink cool. Tho inventor shows five specimen chests, into which some firstclass cabinelrnaking has been put. These ice-chests and beer-coolers are in plain and panelled cases, the panels being in mottled kauri, Westland aah aud totara nut, all New Zealand woods, and tho whole of tbo work is done at tho factory in Willis street—another local industry. Tbo feature of Mr Kreiasig’s patent chest is that it cools to a rory low temperature at la very small coat. The cheat comprises two divisions, into one of which you place a junk of ice (it is to be got from Dimock and Co.'s freezing works), and this is used to keep butter, meat, cookies, milk, Ao., cool in the next division, and the housekeeper has her eatables and drinkables kept cool and sweet in the hottest weather. A special cbost for dairies is shown, tin-lined' for milk, and farmers and dairymen should take more than a passing glance at a very useful invention, and the housekeeper who would be thoroughly up-to-date should have a chat with Mrs Krcissigand a good 100/ at tho patent ico-chosts and their capabilities. BILKSTONE SOAP.

Tho Now Zealand Provision and Produce Company, whose works are at Belfast, North Canterbury, ask tho people of this Colony to look around and see tho women who aro using Bilkstono soap, it being easy to pick them out ; they are brighter, fresher, more cheerful than tho women who have spout twice as much time in rub - rub - rubbing with common soap, for washing With Silkstono soap is easy. This advice may bo taken also as an invitation to have a look round tho monster bars which tho Company are showing in the Exhibition, and as soon as one is abreast of tho Whitcombe and Tombs display, ono feds tho pungent aroma of Silkstono. There lies soap sufficient and qualified to cleanse a whole warship, in massive pieces with tho name conspicuous thereupon, and a chat with tho looal agent, Mr S. Robinson, goes to prove that the aoap has a largo claim upon the washing-day affections of Wellington as well as other housewives. 'i he manufacturers of Silkstono Soap evidently believe in doing well what they do do.” The soap shown in the Exhibition is just tho same as they manufacture every -day af their works down South. Those soap and soda crystal works, by tho way, , covering as they do some two acres, must bo tho largest of their kind in New Zealand, and a largo staff of work people are kept gDing throughout the jrear. There is not a town of importance in the Colony now , where Silkstono soap is not sold, and visitors who have not yet come into line with its virtues oan get a liberal sample cake for tho asking of tho attendant. Soaprnaking in New Zealand has only to bo ancouraged and its makers will more than satisfy tho demand and the quality desired by patrons, Tho N.Z. V. and P. Company are also exhibiting their other jmuufaoturos turned out at the Belfast works. They place upon the market sheep tongues in tins, meats, preserves of all kinds, chemical manures, bonfe-dust, and they are refiners of tallow and oil.

Thursday, the 17th, will witness. what should prove one of the most enjoyable concerts of the many which have been given in tho Entertainment Hall. Under Mr Parker’s baton tho Festival Choral Society will render Sir A. Salliyan’s “ Golden Legend.” Those who had the privilege of hearing this groat work op its last performance, some throe years ago, will look forward with interest to the present revival, The wonderful—almost amazing orchestral effects, the delightful solos, the richness and fullness of the choral numbers, all place the “ Golden Legend ” in the front rank of modern musical creations.

fi ho youngsters attending the Kilbirnio School were provided by their committee with a visit to the Exhibition yesterday.' A largo party from the To Aro Infant School also turned up, and thoir childish laughter and exclamations of wonder were hoard throughout the buildings. Punch and Judy were called upon to make two appearances, and tho same fate befell the lanternist—and the youngsters oven then hadn’t grown tired of tfie good things provided. For this afternoon a special programme has been prepared. Mr Spager is to break out in a speciality of ‘ his new to Welling* tonians —conjuring. Christchurch folks give him a very goodnqmeaa amagiciqn, and be promises those interested in such & whqle bag of tricks. Mirth, Ma*io and Music is the alliterative title of tbo entertainment in the concert hall. From -i to 0, Miaifio’s select orchestra will again oharm many who now look forward to healing this party. They will play out in the railway transept. For this evening a fine concert programme has been arranged by tho talented Mrs Parsons and her family. A glance at tho programme, published in column, will prove the musioianly taste with which the selections have been made, and several popular modern operas have boon levied upon for choice duets and quartets. There is bound to be a good house. For to-morrow afternoon’s entertainment of the ‘scholars who are coming by excursion from the country, an outdoor oalisthenio display is to be given by scholars from the city schools. It would add considerably to the pleasure of music-lovers at the Exhibition u tho Executive could arrange for the cessation of the Otto gas machinery exhibit during tho hour or so devoted to # music. Last evening the organist complained that he couldn't hoar what'‘he Watf playing owifig to the of : the machinery. Tho play of the elements on the iron roof the management cannot help, but they owe to both performers and audience that their nerves should not be placed upon tho rack by internAfijran^nj^ntg. 5 ; ‘ ’