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space occupied by the New Zealand Courts at the Sydney and Melbourne Exhibitions respectively; but, the articles not being so numerous, more space has been left for passage room. A wide passage leads from the main entrance to the platform or stage, on which there is a capital organ, built by White of Christchurch, which, though not very striking in its external fittings, is rich in tone and volume of sound. On either side of this passage bright objects such as jewellery and silver-ware are tastefully displayed, the more solid though less showy articles being ranged along lateral passages in front of the galleries. The access to the galleries is by staircases from the fine entrance hall, in which every available space is also occupied by exhibits. In the galleries, light articles such as furniture and works of skill and art have been skilfully arranged, the wall space being occupied by pictures, architectural and engineering designs, plans, and maps. A large front room at the entrance is set apart to photographs and ladies' work, of which there is an excellent display; and rather a large space, in the shape of various small rooms, has been placed at the disposal of the contractor who supplies creature comforts for the visitors. The annexe is reached by a narrow passage from the back of the platform, and is a long narrow shed, in which bulky exhibits such as blocks of coal, minerals, cements, carriages, leather, agricultural and other machinery, can be displayed with sufficient advantage. In the basement of the building one machine in motion is exhibited, and also bulky exhibits of produce. Altogether, the exhibits have been grouped to the greatest advantage, and, by a judicious use of flags and banners, the Exhibition has a bright gala aspect that is very pleasing to the visitor. The scheme of classification which has been adopted is as follows: —Class 1. Works of Art, &c. Class 2. Furniture and accessories. Class 3. Textile fabrics. Class 4. Eaw and manufactured products. Class 5. Alimentary products. Class 6. Agriculture and horticulture. Class 7 Machinery, and metal manufactures. Class 8. Mining industry Wobks of Art. Class 1, besides pictures and works of art, comprises many miscellaneous exhibits, some of which involve industries of growing importance in the colony—such as artificial dentistry, bookbinding, typography, taxidermy, botanical preparations, fancy work in wool, and photography The latter art appears to thrive well and to be capable of great development in all its branches, and especially in landscape work, for which the climate and bold scenery is eminently suitable. A fair field for the employment of skilled labour might be afforded by the preparation of photographic prints, and especially tinted lantern slides, for export to Europe and America, where there is a demand for such slides for educational recreative purposes. Among works of art should also be placed the beautiful specimens of free-hand engraving on glass, by Mr. Angus Milne. Manufactures. Turning to the more important sections of the Exhibition which include manufactures, the visitor cannot avoid being impressed with the great variety of articles of ordinary use that are made in the colony, and particularly in Dunedin. Nor are these mere clumsy and imperfect imitations of imported articles, but, as a rule, these are evidently the work of as good skilled labour, and as thoroughly organized establishments, as can be found in the old country Metal Workers. To commence with workers in metals: there are thirteen exhibitors, all of whom are large employers. Probably the most advanced industrial effort in the whole exhibition is the extensive show of brass and copper fittings, and plumbers' work, of Messrs. Burt. The immense variety of articles of admirable design and workmanship which they manufacture, has earned for this firm the highest awards that were given at Sydney and Melbourne, but, as might be expected, on this occasion their exhibit excels their previous efforts. Their resources seem capable of producing articles in every branch of the trade : such as ponderous water-engines, large refrigerators for brewers, copper boilers, tanks, and baths, ventilators, force-pumps, lead and copper piping, the former of larger diameter than is made elsewhere in the colonies ; steam, water, and gas-fittings, chandeliers, ice-machines, church and fire-bells ; and a multitude of other articles that display not only the greatest skill and enterprise, but sound business management, in producing what is most suitable to the requirements of the colony This latter very essential qualification is testified by the large number of exhibits which are marked as " sold." In the same trade, and inferior only in extent, is the display of Messrs. Anderson and Morrison. This firm has now been established for seven years, and employs forty skilled hands and apprentices. Among the exhibits is an apparatus for joining sheets of lead without soldering, which is to be used in the construction of the lead chambers for the new sulphuric acid works that are being erected near Dunedin. Both Messrs. Burt, and Messrs. Anderson and Morrison, exhibit ventilators which deserve mention, as they might be introduced with great benefit in all the large meeting-halls in other parts of the colony The peculiar arrangement consists in the application of a small jet of water to revolve the ordinary ventilators in calm weather, when its services are most needed. A very striking class of exhibits in metal-work are the grates and ranges, of which there are five principal exhibitors. Each maker has his peculiar advantages ; and I was especially impressed with the skill with which one maker, H. E. Shacklock, had adapted his open and close range for the consumption of brown coal, securing economy, cleanliness, and safety by several very ingenious contrivances. In the same direction I was pleased to see a valuable improvement, illustrated by a model, which Mr. Alves has effected in the arrangement of furnace-bars, by which a great economy of fuel, amounting to more than one-fourth, is stated to be effected. It consists chiefly in an improved shape of the fire-bars, which are bevelled on the upper edge'so as to reduce the proportion of dead surface on which the coal rests, and gives a corresponding increase of combustion. A modified fire-bridge, moreover, directs a draught of pure air all over the surface of the incandescent fuel, and effects the complete combustion of the volatile elements of the fuel. I was informed that this important invention has now been applied to many of the locomotives on the Southern railways, and enables them to do as effective work with the brown coal obtained along the line as they formerly did with imported coal.

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