THE AUCKLAND Mining and Industrial Exhibition.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXVII, 31 December 1898, Page 840

THE AUCKLAND Mining and Industrial Exhibition.

Pictures of the Courts and Some of the Exhibits.

ARCH CLARK AND SONS.

The section occupied in No. 1 Court by Messrs Arch. Clark and Sons, warehousemen, is one of the most elaborate and striking in the Exhibition. Seemingly, neither trouble nor money has been spared in the endeavour to make the* exhibit one which should be thoroughly representative of a rapidly growing colonial industry, the production of shirts, collars ’ ami kindred work. In looking over the large and varied collection of goods exhibited by this firm one cannot help being struck with the manner in which the industry has been developed. The advice in the legend above the exhibit, ‘Advance New Zealand industries,’ has in this instance been followed to some purpose, for every article here exhibited was manufactured locally. The exhibit will be found towards the southern end of the first Court, in the central row of sections. A valuable show-case, with plate-glass back and front, occupies three sides of a square, and its handsome black and gold framework at once attracts attention. Jn the space within the square is a neat three-cornered settee, on which the visitor may recline at ease and examine the exhibit at his leisure. The articles shown are all of the firm's well-known ‘Zealandia’ brand. On the left is a splendid assortment of linen shirts, some white, others in fancy patterns—blue, pink and green. The young man with a taste for dress, be he ever so fastidious about his linens, could find nothing to cavil at in the quality to be found within this showcase. On the contrary, he would probably wish he had the ‘run’ of the collection. In the centre is an excellent collection of collars, cuffs, and fronts of every pattern. The collar trade is one which the firm have recently developed. They were in a position to cease importing collars about a twelve-month ago, and since then have manufactured all their stock in this line. The quality of the work could hardly be excelled; every article exhibited is beautifully finished and bears the closest inspection. Gentlemen's collars, both high and low, are too familiar to need description, but besides these we find tasteful frilled collars and ruffles for ladies, coloured fronts for yachting or tennis costumes, and so forth.

The show-case forming the right hand side of the square is devoted to soft shirts, from the fine silk tennis shirt to the rougher garment of the working-man. It was for their tennis shirts that the firm first found a market, and a splendid trade has been built up in this line of goods. In fact at the present time the orders for the work are more than the factory can execute. With a high reputation to sustain it is only to be expected that the firm should make a fine show in their exhibit. Tennis and crieket shirts, pyjama suits of silk or cotton, finely worked, are shown in great variety, and the Crimean and working shirts are not to be forgotten. So much for the inner side. Walking round to the other side oti. the exhibit one sees a fine display of white shirts. Here again the finish and workmanship are very noticeable, especially in such work as the pleated fronts and ‘dress’ shirts. On the whole, both in the manner of displaying the goods and in illustrating ' a particular class of industry, the exhibit is hard to excel. As proof of its merits, if further proof be needed the firm exhibit a gold medal won at the Dunedin Exhibition and a certificate from Wellington.

WESTPORT COAL COMPANY

The Westport Coal Company (Limited) has a striking display illustrative of the output of its mines. The foremost feature of this court is the exhibition of two tubs of coal shown as they have come from the Company’s Denniston and Millerton Mines, some 2000 feet above sea

level, near Westport, The tubs or iron trucks were themselves manufactured at the Co.’s works, and two sizes of tubs are shown, one weighing cwt., and carrying 13 cwt. of coal; and the other weighing 7 cwt., and carrying 17 cwt. of coal. At the ends of the stand are divisions showing samples of household coal, small coal, smithey, and unscreened coal, with' samples of coke made from small coal. The coal is the celebrated Coalbrookdale coal, which is now extensively used by the Britisn navy on the Australasian station: the Union S.S. Co., the Shaw. Saville and other

steamer lines; and the product of the Millerton Mine is also shown. Photographs showing various workings, and some of the scenes near the mines, and a map of the Westport harbour are shown. One picture shows H.M.S. ‘Calliope’ steaming out of Apia Harbour in the memorable hurricane of nine years ago, on which occasion she owed her escape solely to Coalbrookdale coal. Another picture is a photograph showing the barque ‘Cynosure’ leaving Westport with a cargo of coal for Valparaiso, and there is a photo showing the water front and a number of barques and steamers busily loading coal. The Company have recently opened an agency in Auckland under the management of Mr W. Ronson, whose nittiring energy and perseverence mar be counted on to extend the Company's business in the North.

MESSRS A. YATES AND CO.’S EXHIBIT.

Our country cousins will find much of interest in Messrs Yates and Company’s exhibit of farm and garden seeds and requisites. In the middle of the space allotted to them the firm has erected a glass-fronted case in the upper portion of which are fixed samples of various grasses. These certainly bear eloquent testimony to the quality of Yates' seeds. Below these are about thirty varieties of the sweet pea. a flower which grows to perfection in our climate. On the end of the ease is a pigeon-holed box containing dozens of different kinds of grass, produce and flower seeds, while the lower portion is occupied by garden implements of every description. On the right-hand side of the stall sacks and bags of machine-eleaned grass, clover, fescue and turnip seeds are on view. The other side of the section is devoted to ferns, shrubs, etc., while a small aquarium containing gold and silver fish has also been placed here. It should be mentioned that at the opening of the Exhibition Messrs Yates and Company had on view a very fine display of sweet peas, one of the finest in the colony, comprising over thirty varieties, and including every shade of colour. The sweet pea has become a very popular and favourite flower of late, and the firm is giving special attention to its cultivation. There was also on view some fine specimens of mignonette in pots, which had been grown from Yates' seeds at their seed trial grounds. Mangere. It is their intention to show from week to week samples of flowers and other things grown from their seeds. As illustrating the complete system adopted for testing seeds before sending them out. samples showing the

percentage of growth will be on exhibit at their stand in the Exhibition. These samples will be all original tests taken from their trial case at their warehouse. Queen-street, thus showing the care exercised in sending out nothing but seed of good germinating quality. A book is kept containing a record of the growth of all seeds sold by the firm since it started business in Auckland, and it may be inspected by the public at the firm's warehouse.

FOX BROS.' EXHIBITS. Messrs Fox Bros., the famous makers of serge, have a fine exhibit. I’romenaders are attracted to the bay by the figure of a diminutive Jack Tar, arrayed in a suit of Fox’s serge, who rolls his eyes in the most comical fashion. There are few things in the whole range of the Exhibition which arrest the attention so successfully as the little sailor. The walls of the

bay have been draped with the various ladies’ plain. fancy and plaid costume materials manufactured by Fox Bros., the colours being tastefully arranged so as to present a striking effect. Displayed in the front are further samples of ladies' costume materials of fine workmanship as well as specimens of Fox’s renowned serges. In a glass case in the immediate front are displayed samples of English and colonial wools as well as the various dyes used to produce the pretty effects shown in the manufactured articles exhibited. On one side of the sailor is a natural-looking figure of a girl dressed in a nice costume, and on the other side is that of a boy, also dressed in Fox's goods. Behind in a. semi-circle are four adult figures. One is attired as a lady in blown, with green facings, and behind is that of a man in tourist costume. On the other side a man is shown dressed in a nice, well-made suit of Fox’s serge, and near to him is a woman in a very neat walking costume of blue, with

white facings and front. The pose and general appearance of the figures are natural stud the whole exhibit is calculated to display to the best effect the various manufactures of Messrs Eox Bros. The New Zealand agent for these goods is Mr William Rainger, of Auckland, who is to be complimented on the admirable taste with which he has displayed his exhibit.

WILSON'S LIME AND CEMENT

One of our most important Auckland industries is well represented in a section at the extreme end of No. 4 Court, near the annexe court. This is the manufacture of hydraulic lime and Portland cement by ,\ essrs ,1. Wilson ami Co. at Mah'urangi. The exhibits tire contained in a room 12 x 12 feet, constructed of laths and the exhibitors' cement. In the centre of the ceiling is a beautifully finished ornamental cornice in cement work, while on one of the walls is an artistic reproduction in cement of the British royal arms. Specimens of the raw material and the finished article ,and the various stages through which the lime passes before it is converted into concrete, are shown, and every information is given concern*ng this industry. Slabs of concrete and cement, burnt clay, and a large piece of solid concrete which has been under the water for eight years are shown. No less than 3.000 tons have been used for the Napier breakwater works during the last is months, with results highly creditable to lanufacturers. Wilson's hydraulic lime is also well-known mid cxtensivelv used throughout the colony.

McLEOD BROS.

A display of special interest to the mothers of Auckland is the beautiful exhibit of perambulators in basket work shown by McLeod Bros, of 1’.,per Queen-street and Karangahape Load. Some of the perambulators shown are most artistic and beautiful ill design, the basket work in some of the specimens shown arching over gracefully at front and hack, and a pretty little sunshade hanging just over where baby reclines. The liabv carriages require to be seen to be appreciated, and we are sure that every Auckland baby who sees one wont be happy till he gels it. When the parcels post system was introduced McLeod Bros, obtained the contract for supplying the Government with postal baskets against the competition of the whole of the trade throughout the colony. They have ever since continued to supply the Postal Department with baskets. McLeod Bros, obtained first prize for excellence in maniifnctlire of perambulators and go-carts at the Auek-

land Exhibition in 1897. They manufacture every description of wickerware as well as perambulators, gocarts and invalid carriages at their factories in Queen-street, and at Karangahape Road. It speaks well for this industry that the local articles in the shape of perambulators, go-carts, and such like vehicles, has driven the imported article completely out of the market.

ST. GEORGE'S PRESERVING WORKS.

For effectiveness few stalls in the Exhibition are so good as that fitted up by the St. George's Preserving Works, a Dunedin firm. The exhibit, which is under the direction of Mr William T. Grinsted; was dressed and is in charge of Mr D. Clarkson. 1; presents a wonderful assortment »f preserved goods, most artistically packed Among the articles are fresh bottled

strawberries (one of the specialities of the firm); jams and jellies of every kind in tins and jars; turkey in aspic, pukaki. canvas-back duck, rabbit and jelly, beefsteak and oyster pie. apple pudding, plum pudding, wild duck, essence of beef, essence of chicken, wild pigeons and jelly, roast quail, lobster, ox tongue, sheep's tongues, camp pies, veal and ham patties. In addition there is preserved fish, mear essences, vinegar blacking, soda crystals. starch, etc. AU novelties arc given a thorough trial before being placed on the market, so that when decided upon the firm can have confidence that the new line will be appreciated. The entire bay in whmh the goods are arranged in striking pyramidal form is draped with crim son and art muslin, and pot plants are arranged to blend with the other decorations. The Auckland agent for these goods is J. B. Macfarlane. of Fort-street. In order to introduce

their wares to the notice of a larger public the firm are giving- away 10.000 packets of starch and a large number of small jars of jam and tins of potted meat.

11. O. CLARK’S POTTERY EXHIBIT

The suitability for brick making and potery making of various kinds of the clays to be found in the vicinity of Auckland is well known. It is said that no other part of the colony is so well provided in this respect, and experts from Europe have frequently drawn attention, not only to the abundance of clays suitable for the ordinary work where strength is the chief requisite. but also to the supply of finer kinds which are used for artistic pottery and Chinaware. The exhibit of R. O. Clark in the Exhibition bears testimony both to good material and good workmanship. The display

comprises a sample of every kind of pipe turned out at the Hobsonville works in tiie upper part of the harbour. Here are manufactured al! the usual bends, junctions. sy| lions, cesspits, yaiu sinks, tiles, chimney pots, and large stocks are always on hand. The proximity of the works to the water allows of specially low quotations being offered in the case of large orders. A considerable export trade is done by this factory, and as the superior quality of its goods gets better known in other parts of the country the demand for them will doubtless increase. T'he Hobsonville works have now been established for over 30 years, and they present a striking example of how a district may be enormously benefited by the starting of a profitable industry. The locality, which lies about eight miles from Auckland, can scarcely lay claim to be most favourable for farming: one can hardly doubt that if the potteries had not been there to attract - people by the promise of regtdar employment there woidd have been few signs of cultivation, and the land would have been in the occupancy of the wandering gumdigger. At present there is a flourishing little settlement round about the potteries as a centre, and many well kept paddocks.