ART EXHIBITION.

Colonist, Volume XXXII, Issue 5685, 24 December 1889, Page 5 (Supplement)

ART EXHIBITION.

November 30. A verx excellent little exhibition of works of ait was opened in ihe Shelbourne street Sohoolroom yesterday afternoon, and was attended by many then and also in the evening. The collection embraces a largo number of paintings of New Zealand flowers by Miss Harris, sorte pictu-ea in oil by Miss Ellen Harris, and a few landscapes by Mr Han is. To enumerate half the works of interest would occupy more space than is at our disposal on this occasion, but amongst those which will most attract visitors reference must be mat?e to a group of very effective paintingg about half way down on tbe right hand side of the room " Voice of the morning" is the title of an exceedingly pretty picture, and tho beautiful native clsmatis, no less than the beli bird, appear to be greeting the morn. Below it is a silver-eye's nest in a manuka bush, a glimpse of the blue eggs being obtained between the sprsys of blossom, On either side are some very handsome groups of native flower 3, mott of which will be new tD ilia ordinary observer. A painted t*b!e top, with branches and apple blossom, is admirable, and the painted paneh also claim attention. On the opposite wall will be found a no loss interesting group. The place of honor here is given to a painting of New Zealand mistle-. toe and a bell bird. To the left of this is a picture of two tuis and native fuchsia, and on the o'her sice an admirable painting of the rata in blossom. Then there are a great many others of native flowers and besries in this part of tho room. Amongst the paintings in oil mention must b8 made of the kakas; " The Inquest," with a number of small birds sitiiug round a deal owl, and near these is "The Fantail's Ne-t," a fine painting of the Mount Cook lily and others of mountain plants, including the vegetable shaep. At the end of the room is a large painting by Mr Harris—Mount Egrnont in the background, with Natives cros3!iig a stream, the banks of which are covered with a profusion of natife growth, above which are some fine tree ferns and forest trees. This, as well as a smaller painting by the same gentleman, but which is not in a good light, will claim much attention, —the other to which wa refer U a picture of New Plymouth, " Landing the troops in 1860." The sketoh was taken by Mr Harris from the ss Aireda'e, and whilst a faithful representation of the Bhoro is given, the whole picture with the steamers which hava conveyed the troop 3to the sceae of operations and the boat 3 rowing for the land, is of much historic interest, xinotber picture by this gentleman " a Forest ecewe" New. Pljmouth, will be admired. Amoogst the work of Miss Ellen Harris, the portrait of a nun, several email paintings of sceaeiy, and the earthenware pipes ia Egyptian and Arabesque do ign3 call for notice. There are too, Borne very handsome screens which isere greatly admired at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition London. On one of these ere sprays of ths Jeca bark tree »vith ita exquisite blooms, clematis, lyoopodium, and ferns; oa another, bulrushes, gras.:e3, &c, and a painted fan on tha wall will call forth admiration. We are a very long way from having exhausted tbe list, but ecoagh has been written to show that tho exhibition is ona of very considerable interest, Many of the paictings are on sa'e, and several found purchasers yesterday, but thay will not be removed till the close of the exhibition, which will be open this afternoon and evening, and again on Monday. It should be largely atttnded.