3

H.—-6a

Hydraulic cement, in no way distinguishable from Portland, made in Taranaki from stone found in the North of the Auckland District, was exhibited by Mr. J Chantrey Harris, who also showed specimens of the stone in the different stages of the manufacture, and of articles produced from the cement, proving its valuable qualities and especially its freedom from shrinkage. Section 2. Articles imported from Great Britain or other Places beyond the Sea. The Wellington Gas Company exhibited a varied assortment of gas stoves, and Messrs. Danks and Son, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Petford, many beautiful specimens of gaseliers, porcelain basins, and other kinds of hardware. Two pianos made by Messrs. J Brinsmead and Sons, exhibited by Mr. Reichardt, were in every way worthy of the firm by which they were manufactured. Fine Arts and other Exhibits. There were three classes of exhibits which cannot be included among manufactures, yet which call for special notice. 1. Fine Arts. This section included paintings in oil and water-colours, drawings in crayon and pencil, paintings on silk and porcelain, sketches in black and white, and mechanical drawings. Some of these, principally among the water-colours, were of a high class, but there were two crayon drawings whose excellence caused them to be generally overlooked as they were commonly taken for superior engravings. An oil-painting of a New Zealand pigeon, and another of New Zealand flowers by the same artist, were unusually good ; while the photographs of Messrs. Wrigglesworth and Binns, Messrs. Clark and Hamilton, and Mr. W B. Gibbs, would bear comparison with the works of the most distinguished artists. A fine specimen of ornamental engraving was shown by Mr. C. H. Williams; while three c reens covered with pictures were pleasing proofs of the taste and patience of their producers. 2. Ladies' Work. The number and variety of articles in this section precludes more than the most general notice of them. They ranged from productions in crewels, Berlin wool, lace, and crochet, which almost took rank among the fine arts, to such more homely though useful articles as knitted shawls and gloves, crochet ancl patchwork counterpanes, with a profusion of other things for domestic use or ornament. A committee of ladies divided these into seven classes of work, and a small prize was given for the best specimen in each class, to which an extra prize was added for raised flower-work, of which there was only a single example. 3. Maps and Writing by Pupils in the Public Schools. Three prizes (afterwards increased to four) were offered by private liberality for the best specimens of writing and composition, and of writing only A very large number of pupils of both sexes competed for these prizes, the two for writing and composition being taken by pupils of the Mount Cook Girls' School. The writing prizes were adjudged, the Ist to a pupil of the Thorndon School, and the 2nd to one at the Willis Street School (who had been transferred to that school from the Mount Cook Boys' School a short time previously). The number of specimens and the general excellence of the writing were highly gratifying, as showing the work that is being done in the Board schools of Wellington. Several very creditable specimens of maps and drawings were sent in, but the time had not been sufficient to allow of their being specially prepared for exhibition; yet this made them in one sense more valuable, as they were simply the common work of the schols.

In conclusion, it may be added that the Exhibition was got up rather hurriedly, and with all the mi,sgivings that invariably attend a first attempt. The result, however, on the whole has been satisfactory, and it may be hoped will lead to better things in the future. His Excellency the Governor was good enough to open the Exhibition, and for a fortnight it was a source of general attraction, the rooms being constantly thronged by interested visitors. J Woodward, Wellington, Bth June, 1881. Commissioner.

Authority : G-eoege Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBl.