FRANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1586, 15 April 1882, Page 11

FRANCE.

The French court, of which Mons. M. Hautrive is the representative, is situated close to the fernery and concert hall. The court occupies five bays, and M. Hautrive has spared no expense to render it as attractive as possible. The disposition of the show-cases and the general display is very effective, and the goods exhibited deserve more than a passing notice. Ladies and lovers of art especially will find here much to attract and interest them, and we will mention casually, one or two of the leading features of the exhibits, Among these must be classed a collection of bronzes, comprising some good copies of works of art by the best masters, the finish of these being really excellent. The iron castings shown include some beautiful cabinets, caskets, plates, jugs, tables, &c, and, as a' curiosity, a complete suit of plate armour— the fac simile of that worn by Henri 11., of France, the original of which is in the possession of the Crown Prince of Germany. A large and beautiful exhibit of marble and shaded clocks of the manufacture of t Gay Lamaille, Paris, occupies the centre position, and is very attractive. Near this a show-case contains fans of the firm of V. Guerin, Paris, and their genre and style will no doubt be much admired. Articles de Pcvris exhibited by M. Hautrive and Co., Paris and Melbourne, form the contents of another show-case, and the variety of the articles and nicknacks therein contained invites' some amount of study. A. Lemaire, of Paris, sends a good exhibit of, his opera and field-glasses, and the fact , that at the. Melbourne Exhibition he was awarded, first prize speaks of itself for their quality and power. E. Brochard, Paris,' has also o, good exhibit tof plush and leather goods, 1 ladies' bags, travelling cases, caskets, photo, frames, &c. The fancy and gilt jewellery of A. Piel is exhibited, and makes a very fair display, these goods recommending themselves for taste in design and for their quality and durability. Vases and glassware, of the Socie'te' de Baccarat occupy also a large space of the court, and we are informed by M. H. that he is to receive per Ringarooma a good collection of Limoges chinaware, as also some Belleek ware. An exhibit of electro-pla ;ed ware by A. Boulanger, Paris, was' not unpacked, but, from the fow pieces we have seen promises to be a good exhibit. Hero also tho designs and patterns being in good taste. J. B. Cuvelier et Fils, of Brussels (Belgium), is exhibiting liquors and bitters, and H; J. Leyeune, 1 Belgium, shows samples of his woollen fabrics, and there being only two Belgian firms exhibiting they have been placed at one extremity of the French court. !

M. ' Hautrive has also brought with him a good collection of oil paintings and water-colours, but the limited space of his court has obliged him to hang some in the concert-room, where they have been allotted good • positions. Amongst them we noticed particularly a large Belgian landscape by Peaupedean. This picture gained tho first prize at the Edinburgh Art Exhibition. " The repenting Magdalene " by J. Mazzolini is an excellent copy after Batoni, the original being in the Dresden Gallery. Landscape by Chierricci, coast scenes by M'Alpine, "A Dutch nun " by S. Conrig, "Cutting naughty pussy's nails " by Jacoby, are amongst the many works of which we shall give a fuller description hereafter. Amongst the water-colours are some by the artist Gioza, Ferrari, Vila, Davio, Bate, Johnson, &c, &c.

INDIA.

Adjoining the French court is tho bay allotted to India, for which M. Hautrive is also the representative ; and the principal exhibit here is the Benares brass and plated ware, which is all native hand-made, and the designs absolutely Indian. These goods at the Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide Exhibitions were greatly admired, and commanded a large sale. Another specialty is some Indian beetle dresses, suitable for balls, which are also of native manufacture ; and besides these, tennis hats and nets, picuic baskets, Indian toys, peacock feathers, fans, bangles, &c, are also exhibited, and render tho court very attractive.

ITALY.

Four baya in tlie Australian avenue have boon allotted to Italy, and tho goods exhibited here make up a most .attractive show to those interested in the curiosities of art. Among the leading features^ are a great variety of cameo shells of rare kinds which have been ornamented with carving executed by hand in a really marvellous fashion. L mdscapes, figures

&c , are represented in the hard material with wonderful truth and precision, and seeing that E works of art have never bof ore been exhiof attention A large collection of pictures and oleogrS ai4 also included, besfdes work in alabaster and marble by the ™* **g Italian artists. Samples of felt hats, silk Sellas, &c, are another branch exhibited and special troublo has been taken in the a Sngement of a collection of mosaics and jewellery, which is well worth inspection -Cameo shells and onyx cameo set in gold, are also shown together with a great variety m coral, il°vJ"'&c g Signor F. (feorge is the <i« tative of this court, and has managed to make it exceedingly attractive.

SWITZERLAND. . Two bays adjoining the concert-room have been allotted to the Swiss exhibits, and^a very excellent representative collection has been arranged by Mr Ernest Engster. Amongst Ec we noticed wood carvings an great variety, both for use and ornament, manufactured for the most part m the Bernese Oberland. Musical-boxes, watches, and clocks aYe also shown, novelties being "traduced go tho manufacture of the latter articles. Ihe Sches have been especially constructed for rough usage in the bush, and the clocks are for the use of travellers, and are _ furnished with thermometer,' alarm, and luminous dial, novel and greatly appreciated inventions. Other branches of industry also find a place hero in the shape of lace curtains from bt. Gall, handmade of beautiful pattern* and machine-embroidered insertions and edgings, and a large assortment of cotton and silk goods. A specialty exhibited is Nestles Swiss milk and food for children, both of which received high honours .in Melbourne and Sydney. Considerable pains have been bestowed upon the arrangement of this court, which is rendered very attractive by Swiss flags and a coat-of-arms in the national colours displayed within.

NEW ZEALAND.

The enormous amount of space allotted to Colonial exhibitors— nearly one-half of the building— is, we regret to say, far the most behindhand of- any avenues in the Exhibition. In many cases this tardiness is not attributable Bdlolv to the fault of the respective exhibitors, as there have been unforeseen delays mthe arrival of shipments, &c; but there is no doubt that a great deal could be remedied, lhe extraordinarily quick time in which the building has been hastened forward may m some cases have had the effect of misleading people who doubted the ability of the promoters to com- ' plete it by the intended time. Messrs Joubert and Twopeny have, however, pushed on the work with the most determined energy, and eucceded in turning the building out virtually completed according to arrangements, lhe fault does not, therefore, lie on their &ide. As the matter stands at present the portion of the ' Exhibition of most local interest is m a con- ' dition which renders it unadvisable to attempt ,much description ; such an attempt would be ' unsatisfactory in the extreme, as it is lmpos- , Bible to single out any special exhibits or , branch of exhibits as the most noteworthy, there being so many as yet not visible. We " can safely say, however, that when m position the three New Zealand avenues will be as well, ' if not better filled than any other part of the ' building. . , ' , As regards Otago, all the principal exhibitors ' prominent in the late Dunedin Exhibition have ' come forward, and by far surpassed their 'efforts on that occasion. A large space has been allotted to the New Zealand Clothing Factory, in which has been placed a new and most elaborate show-case surrounded by a very 1 ample and exhaustive display. Messrs Kemp- ' thorne, Prosser, and Co. are also well to the ;"fore, and along list of Dunedin firms in every branch of industry are represented. Full and 1 detailed notices will, of course, be supplied ' later of all the exhibits in this avenue. We ' may mention that in one octagon Messrs ! M'Leod'Brothers have erected their show-case, containing a completely new arrangement of soap and candles, which has a most handsome effect. The former material has been moulded into various groups of statuary, wonderful 1 artistic skill having been brought to bear upon it. This formed a Bpecial point of interest -yesterday. In the other octagon the photography has been placed, and many very excellently-finished works are included among them.

:e united states,

This court has been one of the most forward in preparation, and the representative (Mr ' • Hagan) has made a very effective array of exhibits. Amongst others Stewart and Harts- , horn, 486 Broadway, Now York, show their selfacting shade rollers for windows, which havo , obtained the highest honours at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. They require neither cords nor balances, and are adapted for store?, dwellings, and railway cars. The Globe Nail Company, Boston, Massachusetts, exhibit their machine-made horseshoe nails. These are made from the best Norway and Swedish iron by a process of cold rolling, and are pointed, polished, and finished ready for driving. These are the only horseshoe nails which were awarded gold medalsone at the Paris Exhibition and one m Australia. The Railway Barb Fencing Company, Cleveland, 0., whose steel barb wire has been ■ adopted by the Government of South Aus- ■ tralia for railway fencing purposes, show speci- ■ !<mens of their wires. These, after severe tests and keen competition, obtained the highest honours at Melbourne and Adelaide. The same exhibitors ,also send some specimens of their elastic wire bed mattresses, for which they i daim decided advantages. The Higaen Cord- . age Company (M. H. Whiton and Co., Boston, Mass.) exhibit specimens of their manila corda&e, sisal cordage, and manila harvest twine. / The sisal cordage is made of Mexican grass, and for cheapness, as well as strength, coin- ' niands a large share of business. Tne manila harvest twine, after practical trials, was ' awarded the gold medal by the South Australian judges. The veterinary medicinechests of Enno Gander, Ph.D., St. Louis, M.0., are placed in the department of the "Lockwood Press." These chests have been .adopted by the army of the United States, and are largely patronised by extensive herd-owners and flock-masters. The Eagle Brush Manufacturing Company, Boston, Mass., .display 100 different samples of their metallic hair brushes. These have the reputation of being artistically finished, durable, and of soothing influence whilst in operation. The section of tho " Lockwood Press" also finds place for the cartridge-belts of Colonel Anson's mills, of Washington. To sportsmen and military gentlemen these contrivances will have special interest They are elegantly finished, useful, and serviceable. The Hektograph Manufacturing Company, Boston, exhibit specimens <v their lamps, which are used without chimneys. They show a good light, and are cheap. Thero are numberless other exhibits in this court, ut which notice will bo duly taken,, but the abovo list amply demonstrates the interest which '.Americans take in the New Zealand markets. ■MACHINERY AND IMPLEMENTS. In this department a very excellent display is made, especially by loca l exhibitors. Of .these Messrs George Booth and Co. and Andrews and Sevan are among tbe foremost,

both having a liberal amount of space allotted to them side by side. The list of their exhibits is a longthy one, and includes a number of ■Tpecialties which deserve detailed notice. Mr I*. Watt also exhibits chaii'-cutters and other agricultural implements ; and Messrs Twentyman and Oousinß make a good show. One of the most interesting features in this space is the exhibition of New Zealand railway rolling-stock, which is drawn up on temporary rails near the avenue. Those includfl specimens of cattle and sheep-trucks, horsebox, brake-van, and goods-trucks, and are all of standard manufacture. On the other side of the transept the .space has been appropriated to machinery in motion, and various English firms aro represented. Threshing-machines of tho most recent and improved designs aro shown by Robey and Co. and Foster and Co., of Lincoln, and are driven by portable 8 or 10-horse power engines. A great quantity of agricultural implements have also been placed in this space.

(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

Christciiurou, April 11th.

The attendance at the Exhibition on the opening day was most satisfactory, the building continuing pretty well thronged until closing time, 10 o'clock. The actual number of visitors it is difficult to arrive at, owing to the many invitation tickets, &c. that were issued, but the total is estimated at over 24,000. Considerably more than 1000 paid admission to the special art gallery. To-day the weather proved disappointing, a heavy drizzling rain commencing during the night, and continuing without a break the entire day. In spite of this tho attendance was good, many persons driving out in the afternoon and evening, and staying through the concerts which are given daily by the Austrian Band. With respect to the exhibits, a great portion of the space still remains unfilled, and it will probably be a week before any air of completeness is observable in either the Australian i«r New Zealand courts. Many tons of exhibits are at present in Christchurch, and many more in course of unpacking, but there are still some of which nothing has been as yet heard. Otago exhibitors appear to have been particularly lax in this respect, and it is impossible to disguise the fact that, compared with Canterbury, they make but a very unimposing display. However, among the few bays which have been occupied by the Southern Province it is satisfactory to notice some of the most striking features of the Exhibition, and it is not too late yet to hope that more will follow. In writing later a description oi the courts will be given, commencing with the New Zealand portion.