COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3386, 4 August 1885, Page 3

COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION.

Gentlemen interested m the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, which is to be held m London next year, met Dr Von Hnast, the New Zealand Commissioner to the Exhibition, at the Council Chambers last evening for the purpose of talking the matter over and arranging for exhibits to be sent from South Canterbury. There were present Hia Worship the Mayor, m the chair, Councillors Sherratt, Bower, Bush, Hill, and W. Jones, and Messrs M. Jonas, T. Foden, M. de H. Duval, and the Town Clerk (Mr Edwin H. Lough). After His Worship had introduced Dr Haast the latter said that the Colonial and Indian Exhibition was expected to prove of great benefit to New Zealand. The Exhibition wns tho first of its kind, and by its aid all the products of the colonies and dependencies of Great Britain were to be brought under one roof; c.-:; '"■ '<■• was to bo the first step towards fecii.i..i ,us it were. The Government of this colony were very anxious that the Exhibition should be a success, and m order that we should be placed m a foremost position m it, would do all m their power to advance the colony and tho interests of the exhibitora from it. He then referred to the ignorance that prevailed m tome circles at Home with respect to our condition, and added that it was m consequence of this ignorance that some people fought shy of the colonies — they did not know of the great resources we possessed, nor were they aware of the fertility of our lands. With a view to m a measure dissipate this ignorance, the Government of New Zealand looked upon the Exhibition as a national undertaking, and were prepared to assist exhibitors. They would take exhibits from our very doors ; send them to England, and if they were not sold nt Home they would bring them back ; — doing all this free of expense to exhibitora. The New Zealand Court was to be arranged tastefully. At its entrance was to be a fernery and waterfall, and passing through, a Maori hoiiße and figures of Maoris Burrounded with their various implements of warfare, etc., was next to be met with. Then the Court proper was to open to view. In this were to be arranged the various timbers of tho colony, building stone of all kinds, exhibits specially connected with the mining industry, home industries, and industries requiring large capital, the manufactures m which Now Zealand took a pride— an art gallery, and lastly a space specially devoted to tho Government departments m which maps and publications directly affecting the colony would be found ; m fact it was expected that the Exhibition would contain unmistakeablo evidence that m the short space of 40 years New Zealand had become a very highly civilised country. He sincerely hoped, therefore, that everyone would help to further the object of the Exhibition. He reminded them that if this town, m which £200,000 had been spent on harbor works, bad nothing to show at tho Home Exhibition the people there would say there must be something wrong with it, and he therefore hoped they would all see that Timaru was properly represented. Dr Haast then explained tho forms of application exhibitora would have to fill up, and said that he would send some down to Mr Lough at nn early date. Timaru and the people of this them, for instance, a model or plans of the Breakwater, with full description of the work, and tho success attendant on it; and a. plan of tho town surrounded by photographs of the buildings or scenery. Applications for space must be m before the Ist of October next, and all exhibits (except wool, which must be sent forward at the end of the year), must be left at the goods-sheds, Timaru, on or before th» lRt December. In concluding, Dr Haast impressed upon the meeting tho absolute necessity of having a good Conimittco to work the matter up properly, so that tho town and district should bo well and fully represented. Dr Haast then produced a plan of the Exhibition, and showed whero the New Zealand court was Bituate. Ho explained that the space not being sufficient, tho Government had asked for and obtained some extra, but they had not yet received word m which part of the building it laid. He then resumed his seat amidst applause. After a Blight discussion, Mr Jonas moved that those gentlemen present form a Committee, and that Mr Lough ask the gentlemen on tho Industrial Committee to act with thorn ; also, that a very hearty vote of thanks bo tendered Dr Von Haast for his attendance and explanation of matters that evening. Mr Duval seconded tho motion, which o« being put was carried unanimously. Dr Von Hanst briofly returned thanks. Work connected with the Exhibition was to him a labor of love, and he hoped that by this Exhibition they would show the English people particularly the great advantages we iv New Zealand possessed. (Applause.) The meeting terminated after tendering the usual compliment to the Chairman. From one of tho forms wo notice that the classification of tho Exhibition is to bo divided into groups as follow: — 1., Workß of Art ; 11., Education and Instruction — apparatus and processes of tho Liberal Arts ; 111,, Furniture and accessories •, IV., Textile fabrics— clothing and accessories ; V., Kaw nud manufactured products j VI., Machinery — apparatus and processes used m tho mechanical industries , VII., Alimentary products ; VIII., Agriculture j IX., Horticulture ; .X., Mining industries, machinery aud products.