THE EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4346, 29 March 1882, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

Very rapid progress is being made with that portion of the Exhibition building— the art gallery and concert hall— which is still unfinished. The whole of the principals and rafters of the roof are in position, and the laying of the floor will be commenced to-day. Several of the gae lamps for lighting tne areas are atop erected, and the room for the accommodation of the Press is completed, ihe promoters intend placing a set of pigeonholes, bearing the names of the various journals, at the Secretary's office, at the foot of the staircase leading to the Press room, in order to receive communications for the representatives of the journals in question. Writing materials for the use of persons wishing to make such communications will be kept in the office.

Now thßt packages containing exhibits of valuo are being unpacked in the building, it has been found necessary to clobb the door to the public, and no admission can be obtained except by persons having business .in the Exhibition. Such persons, exhibitors, their attendants or workmen will be admitted by tickets, which can be procured at the building or at Mr Mitchell's office. They will have to be renewed weekly.

Information has been received by Messrs Jouberb and Tvropony that several British exhibitors have arrived at Adelaide, en route for Christchurch. Telegrams have been received from some of them asking for more space. The promoters have decided that unless thoie to whom space has been granted begin work in their bays by April 1, their space will be forfeited. It is to be regretted that many of the New Zealand exhibitors are backward in making their arrangements, and while the British an 1 Foreign courts present an animated spectacle of bustle and prepara. tion, that devoted to this Oolony as yet has a somewhat deserted appearance. In the British section Mr Dilworth is erecting a splendid plate gla?s show case, 160 ft long, sft high, And 3ft in broad' h. It is picked out in black and gold. The water colour paintings for the special art gallery have been received in the building, and the work of hanging will bo commenced on Monday.

A numerously attended meeting of butchers was held on Monday evening at the Empire Hotel, , when Messrs Cooper, Hankinc, Andrewß and Beechey were elected a Committee, also to act as Marshals. It wot resolved that the members should be mounted, tho Committee finding the costumes. It is anticipated that between 60 and 70 will take part in the procession.

Among the exhibits shown by Mr Handera, the agent for a number of firms, will be some specimens of hand painting on satin, wooden table tops, &c, the work of a young Nelßon lady. Ihey will be shown in the ladies' oourt

The work of fitting up the ladies' oourt iv the Exhibition is now in progress. Goods intended for this court will be received in the building from April Ito April 5. Exhibitors are requested to affix their names to their exhibits in snoh a manner that there will be no dan /or of the tickets becoming detached. From what is known of the entries already received, it may safely be predicted that the ladieß* court will be one of the most attractive features of the Exhibition.

The various bays aro now being rapidly fitted up, the fine show room of the Oriental Tea Company being the latest piece of ornamental docor ating completed. The art gallery, ib is expected, will be finished by this evening, aa the promoters have a very large staff, specially engaged, working at the flooring and roof. Arrangements for connecting the telephone exchange with the building are in course of progress, and the telegraph office is now completed. Fainting the art gallery, offices, and various other prominent partß of tho building will be commenced to-morrow.

An exhibit, which has been very recently entered, ought to be of special interest. It is a photograph of the late Thomas Carlisle, taken in Scotland about 15 years ago. This photograph wbb obtained surreptitiously, bb Carlyle's antipathy to having his portrait taken was well known. The one that will be exhibited was taken while he was sitting on the doorstep of his host's residence, thoroughly unconscious of the faot that he was forming a subject for photographic purposes. On discovering subsequently what had been done, he insisted on the negative being destroyed, the only copy secured from it being the one now forwarded to the Exhibition.