H.—3o

1895. NEW ZEALAND.

CHRISTCHURCH INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION (REPORT ON, BY SIR J. HECTOR, K.C.M.G., M.D., F.R.S., DIRECTOR COLONIAL MUSEUM AND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW ZEALAND).

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

CHRISTCHURCH ART AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION, 1895. Sir J. Heotoe to the Hon. A. J. Cadman, Minister of Mines. Sib,— Wellington, 2nd October, 1895. I have the honour to report that, in compliance with your instructions of 10th ultimo, I proceeded to Christchurch on the 13th ultimo for the purpose of examining the Industrial Exhibition which is now being held in that city. I spent five days in examining the collections, and received most courteous and cordial assistance from the President, Mr. H. B. Kirk, and the other members of the committee of management. The Exhibition is purely industrial in its nature, having been promoted by the Industrial Association of Canterbury for the purpose of affording the public an opportunity of acquainting themselves with the degree of progress which has been made during late years in the development of manufactures of all kinds. With the exception of a few fittings, the whole of the very varied exhibits are of New Zealand manufacture and production, and chiefly from Christchurch and its immediate neighbourhood. The Exhibition forms one of a series of similar efforts on the part of the association, and although it is certainly more extensive than its predecessors, proving an increased interest on the part of exhibitors, its chief characteristic is the very choice quality of the articles exhibited, and the solid, businesslike, and tasteful manner in which they have been displayed. The crudeness of design and imperfection of finish which in some degree marred former Exhibitions is not observable on this occasion. All the different trades seem to have settled to their work in a thoroughly organized manner, so that the proper subdivision and application of skilled labour and perfect machinery and methods has resulted, without any special preparation of articles for the occasion, in setting forth a display that for quality would not discredit an old-established manufacturing centre in Europe or America. For the purposes of the Exhibition the Volunteer Drillshed has been utilised, with the addition of extensive but temporary annexes, which have been skilfully constructed in such a manner that, while they afford substantial and convenient accommodation, they can be easily restored to the original condition of marketable building material without having undergone appreciable deterioration. The cost of the building was about £1,000, including materials, for the subsequent sale of which at the close of the Exhibition the sum of £600 is expected to be realised. The extent of the Exhibition is nearly one-third larger than the last purely local industrial show, the whole ground under cover being as follows : — Sq. ft. Offices ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,040 General hall ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,000 Eefreshment stalls ... ... ... ... ... ... 576 Exhibition annexes ... ... ... ... ... ... 13,388 Exhibitors' space ... ... ... ... ... ... 16,329 35,333