THE INDUSTRIAL AND FLORAL EXHIBITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 194, 8 September 1900, Page 2

THE INDUSTRIAL AND FLORAL EXHIBITION.

At the Exhibition, which was opened on Thursday at St. Mary's Hall, were to be found specimens of bulbs, flowers, needle and fine art work, paintings, curios, models, carving, cooking, plain and ornamental writing, mapping, and a variety of other articles, all of which were worthy of attention. On entering the Hall the largest and most striking exhibits naturally are the first to arrest the vision. These consist of two large patchwork quilts, one in cloth and the other in silk. Although the latter is by far the more handsome, yet it is with the former that the greater interest lays. Both are the work of the Orimea veteran, Mr. Bosworth, when in his 74th year. The cloth article is historical, and may be called the " Crimean quilt," as the green patches were cut from a billiard table at Sebastopol on the day it was taken, the scarlet patches are pieces of the coat wojn by Mr. Bosworth on that memorable day, while the yellow patches were taken from the faoings. The design is mathematical, the cubes being particularly well placed. There Was something very appropriate in this piece of work being exhibited on the eve of' the commemoration luncheon to be given by His Excellency the Governor to the Crimean veterans at Wellington, and though Mr. Bosworth (late sergeant of the 57eh) is unable to attend at that interesting function, he has given practical evidence 1 that he was present on the ever memorable occasion when Sebastopol- was taken. But to return to the exhibits. In striking contrast to the patchwork quilts was the adjacent collection of Indian filagree gold embroidery, and close beside this was, which is very rare in the colony, a splendid Honiton lace veil lent by Mrs. Courtney. The small covers and panels in silk, relieved with Indian work, exhibited by Miss Fookes, were exquisite in their delicate shades of colour. The hand-made 'lace by Miss Mace also attracted much attention, as did the choice collection of lace work, etc., exhibited by the Misses Baby. There was also a very fine collection of art work sent in by Miss Hirst, but the gem of the whole Show, so far as effective display was concerned, was a magnificent table cover of dark cloth, oi-namented with a perfect specimen of Bangoon goldfilagree work. Unfortunately this artistic masterpiece was not displayed to the best advantage, it was worthy of a place of honour in any exhibition. A very handsome threefold screen, excellently painted by Mist Devenisb, was well placed, and at. traded much favourable notice, Th# specimens of children's needlework were not very numdpus, and, wbili being of good quality, fell short of exhibition merit.

There was a fairly extensive array of ( floral exhibits, Mrs. Gordon's cut flowers being particularly good. A cise containing dried flowers and foliage from Australia, exhibited by Mri. Hursthouee, was greatly admired. Tie pot plants could not bs called a success, but their foliage furnished a nice relief in colour to the surrounding exhibits. In piotures, Mrs. H. Fookes is to be | congratulated on her excellent painting of flowers, and Miss Ella Hursthouse on her crayon study of folded drapery. Miss Fookes' exhibits were also of considerable merit, the delicate colouring *nd fidelity to nafcuro being most marked. The models exhibited ware neither numerous nor of a vary high oider of excellence. With the wo >d carvi;i;:, however, matters were reversed, f ..r thi> specimens of Mr. Archie Kiveli's work showed not only artistic conception and exeoution, but more than average taste. Mrs. T, Mills also exhibited some vory creditable specimens of carving, and the Bev. F. W. Young sent in a " labour of love" in the form of a communion table, intended for Ball Block Church, the front being divided into three panels, all ornamented with raised carved work, while ovor the table was a thrice repeated " Holy." Considering the small amount of time Mr. Young has been able to devote to this work, the result is highly creditable to the artist, and should be appreciated by the congregation of the church for which it is intended. i

There were a few maps and specimens of illuminated writing, all of which showed that great care and industry had been devoted to the work, and in proximity to theS9 were some original pen and ink sketches by Master Marmaduke Matthews, which were particularly clever, a few showing signs of budding genius. In the cooking section the number of entries must have been very disappointing, nor was the absence of quantity made up by any extraordinary excellence in quality. In this class the judging of tarts seemed to have bsen based on rather peculiar lines, as, had a selection been made from Mrs, Cattley's dish of 12 and put beside the five of Miss Bedford's, there are very few housekeepers or experts that would not have given Mrs, Cattley's exhibit the premier award. In addition to the exhibits there was a refreshment stall and an afternoon tea-room, both of which did good service in helping to swell the total reoeipts, which, for the two days, amounted to over .£3l, a very satisfactory result, and ono which reflects the greatest credit on all those concerned in the exhibition. Possibly, profiting by experience, the executive will on another occasion have a mora organised canvass for exhibits, and onsure an even more interesting show 'han that which has just been held. Toero was considerable rjom for iinprovnment in thi wiy in which the collection wan arranged, and rainy little mittors of detail whic'i go to mihance the effect of these shows will doubtliss be in evidence oa fn'uro occasions At the same tim', ,';n ut pr.ii'O is due to fill who took p.rt. in t> e show, and ■'.o Iwo much pi i shim in ackinwl.dg.i!B ilm grout courti sy »nd intention .(Clival by the Daily News rfprcsentiaive at the hands of cxe:u .ive.