A PYROTECHNICAL DISPLAY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1084, 9 March 1883, Page 3

A PYROTECHNICAL DISPLAY.

The exhibition of. “ daylight fireworks” given oh board the Japanese man-of-war at Wellington on Monday was a very remarkable one. What took place was this. First from a small mortar on the forecastle was fired almost vertically into the air a “shell, 1 which, on reaching its greatest elevation, burst into a compact cloud of bright yellow smoke.' From this cloud there slowly descended a large figure, apparently of thin colored paper, which sailed slowly and obliquely until it reached the water, fully a quarter of a mile from the starting Doint. These figures were marvellous works of ingenuity. One was a life-sized woman in a gorgeous dress of pink and green, who floated through the air bowing and waving her hands in the most affable manner to the delighted spectators. Another was a monster yellow cock, w.lh vivid scarlet comb and flowing tail, the bird being in appearance about the size of a small eow. Its,movements were so natural that people almost expected to hear it crow when it settled down. In another case a horse and its rider careered majestically just in midair ; and then a large shark, in brilliant blue and silver, swam in the most natural manner, the motion of its tail and fins being marvellously reabstic. A giiantic yellow hen, a superb oink and white tulip rising from a green flower-pot, a large red ami green lamp, three haloons and parachutes, three globes (respectively red, white, and blue), and other devices were disclosed on the successive bursting of the shells ; but perhaps the prettiest display of all was given by one which, on bursting, loft a solid-look-ing sphere, of peettfiarly deep yellow smoke which threw out in all directions long golden chains, each terminating by a brilliant golden ball. This was exceedingly fine and striking in .the sunshine,. The evening display, though extremely pretty, was less remarkable in its (novelty. —Evening Slur Wellington correspondent.