Our Illustrations

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 21, 26 May 1909, Page 15

Our Illustrations

THE SOCIETY OF ARTS

WATERCOLOURS ON EXHIBITION

THE watercolours at the Auckland Society of Arts exhibitions are not an extensive class. The majority of the subjects emanate chiefly from amateur artists, but what they lack is more than compensated by the few individual brilliant examples that adorn the section. The collection is necessarily very diverse. It might be supposed that New Zealand, with its strong light, would lend itself readily to the art of the water-colour painter. But it is not so. The effects in our landscape, which often hold one spellbound, are too transitory. A parsing cloud, and all the rich prospect of mountain and river, or bush hovering majestically above some silent, sunlit flood, turns grey and indefinite. The shortness of our twilights in comparison with England render the material the painter is eager to seize upon all the more elusive. The lack of old stone towers or red-roofed villages nestling in the valleys also leaves a limited field. There is, however, a very pictorial element to be had in the wonderful stretches of shining waters that indent the coast line of the North Island, more particularly around Auckland. Their inaccessibility at present accounts, in some measure, for the few subjects that every year appear concerning our ocean shores. But, for some inexplicable reason, there is highly picturesque material for treatment in the number of seows that hover around local shores, which Is not often utilised. They are quaint, slow craft, these old-time coaatcrs, with their rich brown sails and tangled cordage. When they go drifting like a fleet of wings into the mists that soften the harbour shore, it is a wonder that some artist soul has not been caught by their dreamy beauty. Out of the collection which distinguishes the water-colour section this year, the work* of Messrs. C. N. Worsley,

F. Wright, Kennett Watkins, and Miss Maud Williams command immediate attention. Mr. Worsley’s big subject, “Life in a Spanish Street,” is a vivid pourtrayal of the environment that is common to the life of the sunny and passionate -South. That it is a work of high excellence is, perhaps, to be doubted. Mr. Worsley is unquestionably very familiar with the material ho is handling, but in the particular treatment of the distance, the exhibit appears to be a little out of harmony with the rest of the picture. In curious contrast to the Spanish subject he hangs a study of a Yorkshire moor, rippling with the purple of the heather. It is a charming piece of work, free in treatment, and effective beyond criticism. “A Picturesque EruifMarket in Lisbon” is a gay, sunny representation of Portuguese life. Apart from the fact that the composition is too scattereel, and does not flow together, the exhibit is a fairly characteristic specimen of the artist's work. Mr. Prank Wright treats his water colour subjects in his usual picturesque fashion. His work is thorough, elastic, and of even quality throughout. There are few painters in the Dominion who have had hie experience or possess his understanding of tho subtle and delicate tints which adorn our varied fields ot splendour and beauty. The alpine works of Mr. Kennett Watkins are bold in treatment and colouring. In two cases he tackles difficult and unusual subjects for artists. It may bo incorrect to speak of either as being hard or at fault in colouring. The tints of alpine heights are extremely difficult to determine. Two artists seldom see the same scene alike, and the rapidity with which effect upon effect moves across the snows adds to tho difficulty. Mr. Watkins’ works, which exhibit both care anil experienced treatment, must therefore stand on their merits. He hangs a very picturesque peep of Mount Cook. Ths

alu<s atmosphere and a certain freshness of colour that gives it a distinctive cliarm. Miss Maud Williams shows four small impressionist studies. To those whose artistic leanings ars inclined towards her free methods, there is high quality in her work. The grouping. for instance, in “Venice from the Lido” (Na. 162). which appears * mistake in title, and the market scenes she delights in, are worthy of observation •nd study. "The Archway. Algiers," is the least intelligible of the four, although it possesses certain felicities of colour that are not to be denied. Mr. J. H. Nicholson shows a pretty field scene, with cloud effects, which whilst gay in colour is picturesque. A number of small paintings are hung by Mr. W. Menzies-Gibb. They are all simple in composition, fairly well balanced, and, bn the whole, show good passable work. !No. 173. “Sunset on the Waimakariri,” is an attractive little study, which should not be missed. “Cloud-clogged {sunlight" is the title to an ambitious study of sea and sky emanating from Mr. R. Phen.'y. He has handled the Bubject effectively, and though it might be enhanced by a greater depth, the subject is full of pleasing colour. Mrs. •1. E. D. Spicer has a decorative piece of work iu ‘ On the Edge of the Wood," which seems to be rather strong in •aloes. A gloomy peep of the Lion jtoek. P:ha Bay, relieved by effective treatment of the sea, is the subject of • pastel by Mr. M. Trenwith. The exhibits of Mr. Harry Rountree hare naturally attracted a good deal of attention from Auckland people, and it is no disparagement of the artist’s (brigins! and vigorous work to say that they are unpleasing. “The Sere and the (Yellow" strikes one as being the finest •f the water colour group. It has the virtues of simplicity of composition, free-lorn in rendering, and a fine conception. There is something quite pathetic in the bent and aged figure of the solitary peasant woman who takes her lonely way across the grey, bleak beach. In altogether different vein is “Man’s Supremacy Over the Beasts," a humorfcsqne evidently intended for illustration. There are numerous small paintings in Ihe section, including several excellent Mower stiilies. which perhaps are better been than described. It is. on the whole, • good show, despite some obvious delects. The selection committea of the Society, as legitimately as they can, however, have followed the sound policy of eneor.raging as many artists to exhibit. Water colour painting in New Zealand has many fie!is to discover, many incursions to make. That it. will ever be a widely popular medium with •rtists is doubtful. It has. on the other hand, a very prooaisiag outlook, and deserves to be developed in every possible way.

“THE EMPIRE PLUMBING WORKS."

MESSRS. THOMAS BALLINGER ANO CO.. LIMITED (Of Victoria-street, Wellington.) Messrs. Thomas Ballinger and Co. (Ltd.), of Victoria-street, Wellington, are among the most progressive plumbing supply merchants in the Dominion. They have during the last year added to their already large premises by purchasing over h-xif-an-aere of Sand fronting DixonBtreet. upon which there is a Urge building. which they are fitting up fur their manufacturing derwrtment. This business was started originally by Mr. Thomas Ballinger in 1376. lit 19M it was formed into a limited liability company, and the progress since then h» biren very substantial. In IM4 they erected fire fine fireproof building in Vietoria-street of fire stories and tsasesneei. and now only five years later they require more room for the growing business

The articles nun-, factored include every description of plumber A. gasfitters*, and electricians' brasswork, and at the time of our visit wn.s very fine brass caatinga in conaectioa with a counter screen for one of the new banks in Wellington were being made. Last year they held the contract for the supply of all the brasswork for the Wellington (ity Council, which included th® tramway supplies, and previous to that they secured the contract for tha brass work for ths overhead equipment of the Karon extension of the.tramway system. In each case satisfaction was expressed at the prompt way the work wan turned out; and it is chiefly through this feattire of their business that ths success lies, for "prompt delivery” is one of the mottos of the firm. Messrs. Thomas Ballinger and Co. (I Adi hold several patents which have been very successful, prominent among whieh is the "Empire” Patent-Ventilat-ing Skylight. This invention has caught on. and in spite of all opposition Is gaining in favour with architects and builders. Another invention is the Patent Clip Spouting Bracket, the sales of which totalled up to April 30th last no fewer than 1,110.360. The latest invention they have placed on the market is a Cinder Sifter, whieh should be in every home, as it. is a wonderful fuel saver, and gives no trouble to work. Another patent owned by the firm is the “Excelsior” Acetylene Gas Generator, and these generators are finding their way into all parts of the country. The firm hold the agency for the “Douglas" Patent Bath Heater, which is used largely al! over the Dominion, owing to its economy of gas consumption, and the latest agency in this line fhey have is for Fischer's Hot Water Heaters, both for fuel and gas. and a good trade is expected when this article gets going. A local agency is held for the Rider Ericsson Hot Air Pumping Engine, a machine invaluable to farmers and others for lifting water. Still another agency is for Lumby’s “Solar” Hot Water Boilers and Radiators. Although a new agency, several buildings, both for Government and private bodies, have been fitted up. and every satisfaction is expressed with the working. The firm are. also the erecting agents for the Grinnell Sprinkler and Fire Alarm, a world-famour fire-fighting appliance. At present a contract is in hand for the installation in Messrs. Kirkca’die and Stains* drapery establishment. This is the largest of the many Grinnell installations in the Dominion. Messrs. Thomas Ballinger and Co. (Ltd.) have the best and most up-to-date machinery for the manufacture of O.G. spouting, ridging, ar.d kindred lines, and the quantity turned out during the year runs into miles in length.

They also make what is known as small corrugated iron. This is used for lining ceilings of buildings, such as hospitals, and walls of bath rooms, and hoods for hatha are made from vino corrugated in the same dies. Copper Corrugated Cylinder? and Copper Washing Boilers are manufactured, and thh is another growing brands of the firns. Lead-head nails is a side line, and a good steady trade is done in this.

The whole of the machinery used in these manufactures is driven by a 40 h.p. suction gas producer engine—in itself a wonder of economy and effieienev.

Messrs. Thomas Ballinger and Co. iLtd.l are direct importers of every description of plumbers’ supplies, and a very active and expensive business is done both in town and country amongst plumbers and kindred trades. A large and varied stock is held of east iron enamelled baths, also cast iron enamelled and stamped steel enamelled sinks, cast iron soil and rain-water pipes and fittings. Of sanitary earthenware they hold a big stock, and the latest novelty

is the “Medicos” wash basin, which should have a big run. All styles of gasoliers are imported for ordinary and acetylene gas, and several special lines of gas fittings are manufactured by the Company. A number of our public buildings have the firm’s gas fittings installed. Electrio fittings are also stocked, both for lighting and bell work. All classes of plumbers' brass work is imported, both in nickel and polished brass, and a good trade is done. We saw several novelties in these, sueh as soap and sponge baskets, towel racks, bath seats and shower rings. On the last visit of the managing director to England, he secured the agency for Medway’s Patent Safety Lifts and Elevators, and one has been installed for passengers in the Victoriastreet building. This elevator is the first of its kind, in the Dominion, and its special feature is that no attendant is required. The lift is very simply operated by a system of push buttons, which are fixed on each landing. All that is necessary is to push the button at the landing, and the lift will automatically come to a stop at that landing, simultaneously unlocking the door, and throwing all the other switches out of action, thus ensuring perfect safety in working. The passenger then enters the ear, and after shutting the door pushes the button inside the lift corresponding to the floor he wishes to go to. The lift then moves to that floor, and stops and unlocks the door at that landing; the whole action being automatic. From the foregoing it will readily be admitted that Messrs. Thomas Ballinger and Co. (Ltd.i may fairly claim to have illustrated that “Progress” which is the aim of every up-to-date firm. A business of such an extent and influence, embracing as it does sueh a multiplicity of operations and interests, is a credit not only to the founder of the firm and his co-directors. but also to the Dominion and to Wellington in particular.

JUBILEE BLIND INSTITUTE.

OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR. The handsome new building of the Jubilee. Institute for the Blind, at Parnell, was officially opened on Friday afternoon by his Excellency the Governor, Lord Pluaket. who is president of the Institute. Mr N. A. Nathan, (chairman of the trustees) presided, and there was a very large attendance, a great many of the invited guests being unable to obtain admission to the large hall, where the speechifying took place. Amongst those on the platform were the Attorney-General (Hon. Dr. Findlay), Captain’Blunt (of H M-S. Pioneer), the Mayor of Auckland (Mr C. D. Grey), the Hon. W. Beehan. M.L.C., the Hon. J. A.Tole.MrC. H. Poole, M.P.. Mr L. R. Pbillipps. ALP., Messrs Ci E. Abbott, W. R. Bloomfield, C. Cooper, D. Goldie, X Reids H. C. H. Walker. C. Wood, and R. S. Briggs. The Chairman said that the new building in which they were assembled was as handsome and well-equipped as anything of the kind In the Australasian colonies. They were indebted to the generosity of the late Mr John Abbott, the late Mr Mason, and ether friends, as well as the Government, for the financial assistance which bad been received. The institution, he said, was not a denominational one, and blind people from all parts of the Dominion were received as inmates. As a matter of fact, the majority of those at present in the institute came from other parts of New Zealand. It was therefore a national institution- There was a very, capable staff in the resident principal (Sir C. H. Frayling), and the matron (Mrs K. S. Minchin) with their assistants. In the institution at the present time, he added, there are 65 inmates. His Excellency the Governor, who was enthusiastically received, said that as the institution carried on work of a national character, it was fitting that

the new building should be opened by the representative of the King. Further thaa that, it gave him great pleasure to assart in such a splendid work. Auckland had always, he said, supported most genet-

HURRICANE AT TONGA.

LOSS OF SIX LIVES. NUKUALOFA, May L On April 13, at 11.45 p.m., the island of Niuafoou was struck by a terrific hurricane or cyclone. The wind started from the north, and quickly veered to the north, and blew itself out from the west at 2.30 a.m. During the short space of time the wind lasted the havoc made was simply appalling. Starting just inland of the trading stations (which, being almost on the edge of the cliffs, escaped with only the fences blown down and a few sheds blown away), it made a complete wreck of the large new church, the iron roof or portions of it being carried a long distance into the bush. Between the church and the next village of Sabata a number of trees, mostly large ironwood, are uprooted, and most of the native houses down, while a Roman Catholic Church was knocked all out of shape by the flying debris. Going eastward from Sahata, the damage to cocoanut trees gets greater until Haafoi is readied, where the storm seems to have done its worst. Haafoe was about the largest village and most important copra producing district of Niuafoou, and every house was destroyed, six persons being killed. Whilst endeavouring to escape from their own house, another large wooden building dropped suddenly on top of them, having been blown from a distance of quite 100 yards. The scene at the previously flourishing village of Hafoe was one of utter desolation, following upon the hurricane. Not a house left standing, and terrified and sorrow-stricken natives wandering disconsolate among the ruins mourning their dead. When the hurricane burst on the village, a family of six, four of them big children, were occupants of a timber-built house of native shape, roofed with corrugated iron. And as the building rocked al-armingiy, threatening dissolution every minute, the whole family made for the open in an attempt to escape. At this moment the building's last resistance yielded to the fury of the wind, and. the fleeing family became enveloped in a veritable whirlwind of death, one flying sheet of iroa striking the head clean from the body of a little girl of twelve years as she ran, while the mother and other three children were all killed by the wrirling fragments of timber and iron. The father died the next day from injuries, the family being thus exterminated. The head of the little girl was found in the bush some distance away by the natives. who refused to bury the trunk until they found the head. As far’as the eye can see. sheets and pieces of galvanised iron are sticking all over the tree stumps; in one place a piece of 2 by 3 kauri stickling through a cocoanut tree, in another, a Hellaby’s Gib. meat tin firmly embedded in the stump of a cocoanut tree. A hardwood post, recognised as belonging to a church that stood half a mile away, is driven over three feet into the ground. The coeoanut trees all through this district are left without a single leaf, and will most likely all die. The Chief Magistrate has a return of buildings blown down, which total up to 312, and 9 churches. AH these were wooden cottages with iron roofs and verandahs, and reach the value of £9006, The European losses are not great. Tindall and Ross estimate their loss at about £lOO, as also do the D. H. and P. ti. Co, but what damage has been done to the copra in the houses Is yet unknown. The s.s. Dawn was at Nnrafoou on April 22nd, and at Keppels Island on April 23th. The blow did not touch Kep. pels, although only 100 miles distant. The schooner Ysabel left Keppels for Niaufo»« on April 27th.

ously such institutions as this, and as extra expenditure had been entailed in making such splendid improvements, lie trusted that an increased measure of support would be forthcoming. His Excel lenc.v then declared tin* building open. ’l’he Attornex General (the Hon. Dr. I'indlay) expressed his pleasure at being present. It was (he proud boast of Auckland that she did more in support of the afllicted than any other city in the Dominion. and tin* more In* saw of it the more he thought this was so. The people of Auckland had large hearts and kindly feelings, and that spirit which had opened their pockets and hearts would. he felt sure, enable them to continue this good work. (Applause.) The chairman said that in explanation he wanted to make it clear that the institution had many generous supporters in all parts of the Dominion. 'l’he collector. who was a blind man. visited every part of New Zealand, collecting contribution- and visiting past inmates, now engaged in outdoor occupations. A brief musical programme was contributed by the boys and girls of the institution. including pianoforte duets, violin solos, and part songs, one of which. Bracken’s “TTymn for New Zealand.” was snug to music composed for the pupils by the secretary of the institute ( Mr IL Leslie Hunt). The proceedings closed with tin* singing of "God Save the K'ng.’