EXHIBITION TALK

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 337, 23 May 1885, Page 3

EXHIBITION TALK

It is a pity that Auckland will bo so poorly represented at the apjDi'Oaching Industrial Exhibition at Wellington, which promises to bo a great affair. We have displayed a lamentable want of spirit over this business, but I need not enlarge on that topic, which has been worn threadbare by the scribblers for the dailies. I observe that Sir Julius Yogel was waited or., at Wellington, the other day by a deputation comprising the members of the Exhibition Musical and Ceremonial Committee. The gentlemen forming the deputation were anxious to learn Sir Julius' views on entertainments. The Treasurer expressed a hope that the £1000 set apart for entertainments in connection with the Exhibition would notallbedevctedto con certs aud musical business generally, and suggested that scientific lectures should be given in addition. Lectures on chemistry, acoustics, electricity, &c, iSrc, drew large audiences in Lo.ulon, argued Sir Julius, and why not in Wellington? At this stage one of the interviewers ventured to re-mark that New Zealand did not possess either a Tyndal or a Huxley, and hinted at empty benches if scicuce was to be substituted for songs, and the grave mingled with the gay. Another gentleman thereupon observed that Procter's lectures had always attracted large audiences throughout the colony — forgetting that the Tyndal-Huxloy argument also applied in the case of Proctor. Sir Julius finally told the Committe that they should " enlarge their scope and devote themselves to amusements generally." This advice is good — provided the Committee stick to ainnscmtnlti — that is if they wish to ensure a pecuniary success. Tyndal, Huxlej% and Proctor have made their names famous throughout the world, and people would flock to see rather than tohc:sr them. With our less-known New Zealand scientists the lecture business would, in all iirobability, be a dismal faihu-e. A sorifis of lectures, illustrating Now Zealand industries might, if they were made sufficiently entertaining, hit the public taste. The pill containing information requires to bo sugar-coated now-a-days, or it won't go down.