NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8282, 8 November 1906, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

Bj Telegraph—Press Association.

CHRISTOHURCH, Nov; 7. The attendance at the Exhibition this morning was limited, but increased in the afternoon. The machinery hall in the Exhibition has the advantage of being located wbere it cannot be missed, for It abuts on the northern-moat extremity of the main corridor, and as every one passes along this during the diurnal inspection, the machinery has necessarily a large audienoe. The exhibit comprises four great classes gas engines, electrical machinery, motor cars and machine tools. Steam engines are few and far between. The electrioal machinery is wider in its distribution than anything else in the machinery hall. The principal exhibit of eleolrioal machinery are two sets uied in connection with the lighting of the Exhibition, comprising engines and dynamos aggregating about 250 horse potvsr. The motor oars make a splendid show. There are three floe stands of cars ranging from small run abouts to the heavy touring oars. The miscellaneous class is too big to desoribe. Some complete refrigerating plants are of considerable interest. The New Zealand railway section, while possessing vast importance as not only showing what can now be done in the colony in the matter of supplying our own railway plant, but: also giving a pointer as to what may still be achieved in the near future is one which cannot ba popularly described. The eye of the layman viewing the,splendid exhibits may take in a general way the excellence of ihe work displayed.' A Cabinet meeting was held this afternoon at the Exhibition buildings respecting the differences which have arisen between Mr Munro ; Chief Exeoutive Commissioner, and his colleagues. It was expeoted that a definite decision would have been arrived at, but the Premier states that no decision has been come to so far. He would not make any further statement.

EXHIBITION NOTES,

(By a Lady Visitor).

OHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 6. The Exhibition as a factor of eduoation is of great importance.- How fewjpeople realise that Qaeeoslaad produces such a wide variety of gemß, probably a greater variety than uny other country in the world. The black opal, a living drop of fire in a dusky Interior, is only found in Queensland. This wonderful gem when set around with .diamonds produces a weird thrill of admiration; and one fuels almost confronted with a mystery. Quenmslanders must surely have a grateful feeling towards Messrs Flavelle, - Roberts and Sankey, of Brisbane, who are the pioneers of the Queensland gem industry, for thpir perseverance in bringing the gem industry into such prominence. A visit to their stand in the Exhibition building results in a delightful lesson, filled with tne pleasure of close contact with rare and' lovely gems, without a thought of adornments, but with a feeling of awe at the wonders of nature. Surely nothing in the world can equal in intensity the glimpses of liquid fire and exquisite colouring one can catch when looking at gems, pure, beautiful gems, found in loads of wash dirt picked up in the rough; giving no Indication of the intensity and brilliance confined within a dull or rough exterior. .Comparatively few people turn their thoughts toward the wonders of Nature as far as gems are concerned, because comparatively few people are brought into cuntact with them. At the Exhibition can be seen diamonds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, olivines, topaz, tacinths, amethysts, opals in every tint, chrysophrase, beryl, moonstone, turquoise, go'.dstone, petrified wood, aquamarine, cairn gorm, spinel and catseye, and pearls. The Queensland Government's exhibit is lnoluded with Messrs .Flavelle, Roberts and Sankey's exhibit, and can also be seen at their stand. What are Ballsd freaks are interesting from a different point of view from the pure gems. There is the asteria, or star-sapphire, and another a ruby and blue sapphire combined, and others, which are fashioned by intense heat, eto. The samples of petrified wood cannot be (Strictly called gems, but they are vfry beautiful, showing lovely effects. The Queensland opal lis perhaps better' known than any of the gems, but it has to be seen in all to be properly appreciated. The olivine is a lovely gem, a grass green stone very like the emerald. A gold ornament made in the form of the Southern Gross; at eaob point an olivine lookiug like a lovely soft streak of green light, struck me as being unique and original. Sapphires in true green, brilliant and pure, in the true blue colour, and golden yellow sapphires, are to he seen, and also white , topaz and yelldw topaz, and a number of other gems.