PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITION.

Evening Star, Issue 4021, 15 January 1876, Page 2 (Supplement)

PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITION.

I The Wellington ' Evening Post' of January 4 states that at that date the New Zealand exhibits for the Philadelphia Exhibition ftrere nearly all packed up in readiness to be forwarded by the mail steamer next week. They will make a very fair show on behalf of New Zealand, and their number will be greatly augmented by the collection of New Zealand specimens and products now being made in London by Dr Hector. A Royal •Commission has been issued, appointing that gentlemen an additional Commissioner, and the special one to represent this Colony personal! at the Exhibition. Among the various Provinces, Canterbury carries off the palm for the extent and excellence of her contributions, especially in grain and wool. Duneclin, Auckland, and Napier have not contributed anything at all, if we except some rather poor specimens of petroleum from Poverty Bay, which might as well have been left behind. The Bank of New Zealand has sent a very magnificent collection of gold specimens. Nelson and Westland furnish splendid illustrations of their mineral wealth, the hematite ore from the former Province, and

the coal from the latter, being particularly fine. The Maoris are by no means behindhand in contributing and sending a very large and varied assortment of their peculiar workmanship, which they readily have lent for the occasion, such as carved spears and other woodwork, flax mats, etc., greenstone implements, and above all, a famous bone "mere" which formerly belonged to the celebrated Titokowaru, but is now the property of Patu Paraora. The exhibits from Wellington Province are not very numerous or remarkable, with one single exception—a bale of wool sent by Mr Arthur Braithwaite, of Waiwatu, Lower Hutt. This is a superb specimen of Romney Marsh wool (with a fifth cross of merino), sheared on the 18th ult. from two-toothed ewes, and cold-water washed. Mr Braithwaite's wool of this class has realised an average price of Is per lb in London at auction during several years, and probably will be the finest of its class sent from New Zealand. An immense rimu plank, 10ft long, and 4ft 6in in diameter, cut from the centre of a log, is sent by Mr J. D. Cruickshank, of the Upper Hutt sawmill, and a well-finished door, by Messrs Greenfield and Stewart of this city. No other local exhibits demand special notice. The Minister of Public Works will send a very extensive collection of photographs representing the nature and progress of*the Public Works of the Colony. All the articles will be conveyed free by the steamers and Fadmitted to America free of duty, a i special staff of inspectors having been appointed by the American Customs' authorities on purpose to facilitate the passing and , transmission of the exhibits.