NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. 1865.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 782, 20 June 1864, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. 1865.

"Itia a, noble thing to test by actual experiment to what extent the ingenuity and skill of the nations of the earth have corresponded to the intentions of th<?ir Creator, and to improve the advantages which each country can offer the other, in supplying the wants and adding to the happiness of mankind."—Sir Robert Peel.

The advantages which Industrial Exhibitions have conferred upon the cemmerce of the world since they were first instituted a century ago are well acknowledged. In Great Britain, France, the United States, and other countries, whatever their political condition, so highly have such Exhibitions been esteemed, that ail Governments, however otherwise hostile, have agreed in encouraging and supporting them. National at first, they occasioned a generous emulation amongst individuals; and afterwards, when international amongst peoples. Affording a worthy theatre for the display of the enormous resources which a bountiful Providence has proTided and human enterprise collected from all parts of the earth, they have increased production and thereby added to the world's wealth. They have afforded also a most valuable because more exact knowledge of man's resources, they have encouraged manufactures and art, have stimulated invention and design, have lent labor, dignity, and genius illustration. It is not to be supposed that in a new country their influence can actually be as great as in an old one ,• but, relatively, it should be greater. If the colonists of .New Zealand have fewer necessities ehan inhabitants of older and more luxurious countries, and can supply them in many instances better from- abroad than on the spot, it is equally true that they know very little of the resources the colony affords, and that they do not even yet make use of many with which they are well acquainted. They have splendid coal-fields, yet axe dependent for coals on other countries; with the best limestone they import almost all their lime; they even get building-stone from Tasmania and Sydney, and bricks from England and Victoria; \rith immense forests of splendid timber they import most of their woods of construction whether for building or furniture; and with the strongest known vegetable fibre in their flax they have not yet turned it to valuable account. Doubtless the youth of the colony and the consequent deaaness of labor occasions much of this, but in order to obviate that difficulty it is necessary that they should avail themselves of all those aids which machinery to economise labor in the production and conversion of raw material may aitord them. To these ends the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865, has been projected. It will be distinguished by not only including every indigenous product and manufacture, but all those obtainable from other countries, which shall be calculated to aid ■ jthe development of the colony. Should the enterprise be successful it must greatly increase

the wealth and the internal and external trade of the country. That it may be so needs but the active sympathy of the whole community. His Excellency the Governor has cordially supported tlie Exhibition by the issue of a Commission under the Great Seal, and using his best offices to secure the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, as well aa piomising his own. The General Government has warmly supported the project in advising His Excellency te grant the Commission and by promising to place a sum on the Estimates in aid of its funds.

Four successive Governments in Otago have each accorded it their cordial approbation, and the Provincial Council of Otago have shown their support by providing a buildiug to receive the principal portion of the Exhibition and voting L4OOO in aid of its general expenses. Beyond this Government support, the Commissioners have received from many public-spirited persons subscriptions to a Guarantee Fund, amounting altogether to a large and yet daily increasing sum. They have also received valuable aid from the colonial Press. It remains then only for the public throughout New Zealand to evince their hearty appreciation of the project by encouraging by every means m their power the production of New Zealand articles suitable for exhibition, and aiding the Commissioners in obtaining from abroad machines and other things calculated to aid in the developi ment of the colony, Through the agency of Junes rewards will be distributed by the Commissioners, and it will be especially their object to recognise the merit of mw products and new manufactures or the material improvement of established articles of New Zealand produce or manufacture. The reports of the Juries, containing brief statements of the grounds of their several awards, will be published. Similar rewards will be distributed among the exhibitors from countries beyond New Zealand. In the presence of a knowledge of the vast public and other works about to be executed in the colony, the Commissioners are making arrangements to institute a series of experiments, under skilled superintendence, to determine the strength, durability, &c, of such materials used for construction in New Zealand, as have not already been reported on by competent authoThe Commissioners also proposed that a series of essays, by gentlemen conversant with the history of New Zealand and each province, tbe meteorology, geology, mineralogy, gold and other mining, flora indigenous and exotic, fauna native and acclimatised, trade, vital and other statistics, &c, of the colony shall be prepared and published. They hope also to be enabled to arrange that a considerable selection from the New Zealand objects shall be secured by Government for permanent exhibition in London, so as to give the best proof that this colony affords ample field for the investment of capital, labor, and scientific skill.

Primary, then, as the Commissioners consider the object of securing the fullest representation of New Zealand, they also desire to obtain from other countries such a collection of machinery, fitted for colonial use, as has hitherto not beea seen south of the line; and they trust that the machinists of Great Britain, the United States, and other countries, will avail themselves of this exhibition as an admirable means of showing to southern colonial communities the extraordinary strides made of late years in devising machines to economise labor in reclaiming and cultivating land, converting raw material, and facilitating transport. As steam power will be provided by the Commissioners, many of the machines will be exhibited in motion. Facilities will also be afforded for the trial of the various agricultural and horticultural implements exhibited.

The Commissioners further desire to obtain from all other countries manufactures from New Zealand produce, to show in what particular it is chiefly valuable, and where, if defective, it might be improved ; also such raw produce as shall be useful, either for comparison with New Zealand objects of similar character, or as examples of the direction in which the development of the colony may tend. The classification of the International Exhibition ©f 1862 has, with slight modification as to fjold mining, and aboriginal objects, been adopted; and though the Commissioners claim to be but humble followers of their great precedent, they hope to see all of the classes well represented. 1h each Province a Local Committee will be appointed by the Superintendent, whose duties are defined in memoranda transmitted to their Honors, and through whom alone the Commissioners will communicate with New Zealand exhibitors.

The Agent in London for the New Zealand Government, Mr John Morrison, Adelaide place, London Bridge, has been requested to act as the Agent in Europe for the Commissioners, and to him any one to whom it is more convenient to write to London than direct to the Secretary at Dunedin, may apply. Correspondents will be appointed also in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Queensland, and Hobart Town.

The Commissioners have only to add, that they are deeply sensible of the responsibility of the duties they have undertaken, and again to express their earnest desire to secure the hearty support of all classes of their fellow colonists: they confidently believe that the exhibition will develope the resources of New Zealand, and, whilst increasing our own confidence in them, make them widely known to others ; will create and foster manufacturing industry; encourage mining aad agriculture ; diffuse knowledge, and improve our communications both by land and sea. They trust that the great work may be a great success, and assist to raise New Zealand to a place worthy of her climate, position, and resources. To accomplish so great a public pood, whilst sparing no effort of their own, they rely on the blessing of Him from whom all things come, and without whom is nothing.

By order,

ALFRED ECCLES. Honorary Secretary Offices of the Royal Commission, Belgrave Chambers, Dunedin, N.Z., November sth, 1863.