THE CARNIVAL.

Evening Star, Issue 4131, 24 May 1876, Page 2

THE CARNIVAL.

The series of enter laiumenis, which have been designated a Carnival, in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Institution, were inaugurated this afternoon in Messrs Guthrie and Lamoch’s new establishment. The opening was witnessed by fully 3,000 people, that number including many visitors fr in 'he country districts.

On entering the building from Princes street, the visitor finds himself or herself in an arcade, on each side of which is the timber-cutting machinery. This arcade is decorated with flags and evergreens, and, conspicuous upon the walls, are bung mottoes which read the object of the Car. nival. It is too long a process to describe the many and varied articles that attract attention on the several floors of the building. Nor do wo think wo are called upon to do so, as we prefer to believe that the bulk of our readers will see aud judge for themselves. Ou the ground floor ure the fountain, concert, and band platforms; the first floor is converted into a picture gallery, in which oil paintings, chromes, and lithographs a- e exhibited. Several of the first-mentioned are very flue, and woitby of passing notice. On the opposite is the extensive machinery of the establishment, which is set. in motion at stated times during the day and nivht, aud explanations concerning which are readily g.veu by the men in charge. a mong the more prominent objects of interest exhibited ore a model of a steam frigate three-decker, Olylumus, exhibited by Mr Wm, Teykr, of this City; an electrical apparatus, by Mr C. Driscoll j a very handsome model of a garden chair, in fancy work, by Mr Soolt; a piece elaborate fancy work done by Mary Queen o f Scots, and shown by Mr John Hisop; a model quartz crasher, by Messrs Kiuca’d and M Qieen; a complete moa skeleton, exhibited by Mr Hocken; Indian and Maori ooUeotionsi exhibits of paper manufactured at Mr

M'fl’ashtm’s mill; a large telescope, belong* in* to Mr John Lotfan, through which, If tie weather be fine a peep may be had at the a* (kb,—we hope the Berviore of Mr Black or Ur Pope will be secured to give some illustrative informt on respecting them—thin thereat* A gas or gino ezbibired by Messrs Ferguson and j*<is«heU r and the printing machine lent by the same gentlemen, on which is to be worked oif * The Carnival Gazette,’ while a water fountain will play at each end of the court yard, and the works of art all over the build* in? are innumerable.

The a'teru on’s programme was opened at 2 p.m. by his Honor t e Superintendent, who spoke ae follows

When the Committee did me ibe bonerito ask me forma ly to op u this—what shall 1 call it—thie Benevolent, omnium gatherum— it was fully understood that I should not attempt to inflict upon yon a speech. All I was to do wa«, in my official rapacity as political bead of the Province, to com* mend to public support a deed In which the rrovinoe from the Waitaki to the Waiau and from Dunedin to Queenstown, is more or less interested ; and which I hope and trust will be renewed for many years to come, or at all events as long as we have poverty nn (distress within oUr borders. I should hope, however, that a race suitable and more appropriate name may be fund than that of a Carnival To my mind it indicates a theoretical abstinence from flesh and a practical iadnlgence in many vagaries which 1 should not like to see amongst, the established institutions of this country. I think this is the first time, at all events in thie part of the En pire, that the celebration of Her Majesty’s birthday has been made the occasion (or feeding the hungry und clothing the naked. Ido not know who originated the idea, but 1 think it is an excellent one, ond I hope it will take root in the soil of Otago, and flourish and bring forth an abundant annual crop of gold until poverty is among the things of the past. lam afraid that will be a good many years hence, for “ the poor ye have always with you," and just in proportion to the extent of your prosperity, destitution and poverty will prevail nmeng ns. It occurs to me whether or not the anniversary of the Province would not be a better occasion on which to hold a similar annual gathering. It is a better season of the year, and always occurs ou the same day. At all events 1 hope in future our principal holiday will he stereotyped os one to which we at e prepared to adhere. I dare siy yon are aware the Benevolent Asylum has hitherto been supported to a ueeat extent by the State. I nave often thought this objectionable, as it tends to dry np the stream of personal and private benevolence. lam glad, however, this gathering has token place now, for possibly the State may not be in a position to do in future as it has done in the past. Ido not know thnt I need say more. lam astonished at what has been done in a few days. In no other part of the Colony could it have been done. We are obliged to those who have brought so much energy and given so much trouble andpulnu to what they have accomp .ished. Ton will join with me in ezpiessing thanks (o them. Nor xnnst we forget Messrs Guthrie aud Larnach, who have so handsomely placed their rooms at the disposal of the committee. Until I came here I was not aware there was so extensive a building in Otago. Certainly there is no such building elsewhere In the Colony. Tour Mayor, whom I see present, and the Corporation might possibly arrange to have the use of this room for their Council Hall. I will conclude by ashing yon to join me in three hearty cheers tor Her Majesty, the anniversary of whose birthday we this day celebrate. Three cheers were given for'the Queen, which were followed by the National Anthem, excellently rendered by the orchestra and chorns. The concert programme was then gone through very successfully, considering the noise occasioned by the continued moving of large numbersot people. Mr Lamach, before the machinery was started, ascended the music platform and expressed Ike ..'ratification felt by his partner and himself in the gre.it success of the undertaking. Three hearty cheers were given for the firm, and the people dispersed to view the machinery. The Fife and Dmm Band of H.M.S. Nymphe wss in attendance, and played alternately with the Artillery Band.

This evening, in addition to the concert, Professor Black will undertake a number of chemical experiments; Mr Hirsh will illustrate the process of dyeing ; Mr Hocken lecture on the poloroisation of light; Mr Toung’s employes show the electro* gilding process; and Messrs Cooke and Stevenson work the large magic lantern lent by the Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum (Mr Hume).