THE BRUNNER DEMONSTRATION AT NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XXII, 30 May 1896, Page 616

THE BRUNNER DEMONSTRATION AT NAPIER.

THE Brunner Demonstration held last month at Napier was the most successful thing of the kind

ever held in Hawke’s Bay. The great feature was the procession, which was headed by the Volunteers and the Garrison Band. Following immediately behind the Volunteers came Mr Robjohns’ main exhibit, a monster stout bottle about six feet in height and bulky in proportion, properly capsuled and labelled and surrounded by lesser trophies of the brewer’s trade. On another van stacks of small casks were arranged in en airy manner sufficient to give a giddy feeling even to the most staunch teetotaller. The Napier Fire Brigade came next, the steamer being drawn by four splendidly comparisoned horses, and all ready for action. The second division of the procession was marshalled by Captain Smith, and headed by the Port Drum and Fife Band in full force and piping right merrily. The inmates of the Children’s Home came next in a huge boat, looking snug, comfortable, and happy. Close behind came Messrs Niven and Co.’s exhibit —a most ambitious tableau representing a mine in full working order, with miners, shaft, and a busy little petroleum engine all exposed to view. A notification in a prominent place was to the effect that the mine was 5,983 feet deep, and a pretentious windmill over a yawning shaft added probability to this statement. Then the Highland Society’s tableau came into view, and a most attractive one it was, representing the historical scene, * The Farewell of Prince Charles Stuart to Flora McDonald.’ The principal characters were taken by Mr W. P. Stuart and Miss Flora McAllister. A neatly thatched hut was in the centre, and contained a spinning wheel presided over by Mrs Nicolson, assisted by Mrs Blackmore. who could be seen vigorously carding the wool. Miss Annie Mcßae took the part of the Highland lassie as to the manner born, and the Prince’s Irish friend Colonel O’Neal was enacted by Mr Pat Tyne, who was got up most elaborately for the occasion. The United Friends in full regalia and with their banner bearing appropriate devices were next in evidence, and were followed by the ‘ Brunner Relief,’ a cruiser of most elaborate pattern, navigated by Captain Tonkin and manned by a heterogenity of ‘sailor chaps,’ who proved themselves expert mariners and A.B.’s all. The Druids, with their ghostly gownings and venerable beardings, came next on the scene, and were gazed upon with awe and reverence by both young and old. Following close upon their heels came the ‘ Darktown Fire Brigade ’ (the Spit Brigade) with their fire extinguisher, the ‘ Niagara,’ which it was intimated in bold lettering was ‘ Made in Germany.’ The Salvage Corps followed in battle array with their life-saving apparatus in full working order. The third division, headed by the City Band in full number, was marshalled by Mr Waterworth, and was followed by Conroy and Co.'s magnificent display of meats in due season. This trophy attracted universal attention and much favourable comment, and its preparation must have entailed an enormous amount of labour on those responsible for its construction. The tattoo work on the various joints was a distinct work of art. while the small goods were tastefully interspered amongst the larger viands; the whole being adorned with flowers of all descriptions hung in choice festoons from every vantage point. Following the main exhibit, which was in charge of Mr Woodham, were eleven

butcher’s carts, elaborately betrimmed with flowers and evergreens, driven by Conroy and Co.’s employes, Messrs Dick, Walden, Pruart, Anderson, Mulcaster, Keys, Butler, McLernon, Ender, Griffin, and Plested. Several polo players in full regalia, mounted on their ponies, came next on the scene and added an attractive feature to the display. The milk trade was represented by a solitary cart bearing some beautiful bouquets and specimens of cut flowers.

A number of vehicles bearing the exhibits of Messrs Glassford and Heron came next in order, one having a

cargo of loaves of every size, shape, and make, another a wedding cake of more than ordinary pretensions, a third a cargo of cakes, biscuits, and small goods, and yet another filled with bags of flour and parcels of miscellaneous goods. Added to this generous display, which was contained in vehicles got up in tip-top style as far as outside adornment went, was a staff of outriders with baskets crammed with oysters, fruit, etc., ad lib.

A little further on the Choral and Floral Society’s exhibit came into view, the gigantic pyramid of beauty amongst the flowers being provocative of many * Ahs!’

and * Ohs !’ from an admiring multitude. It was reserved for the Junior Club to bring up the rear with a striking tableau typical of its aims and objects. Science, the arts, industry, sociability, education, amusements, etc., were all represented by members of the club in different part tableaux, the whole being surmounted bv a young lady on a pedestal representing virtue. We are indebted for our description to the H"wke - Bay Herald.