The Globe. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1569, 28 February 1879, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1879.

It will, wo think, bo admitted that anything tending to bring out and stimulate the inventive or mechanical powers of our youth deserves the support of all who take an interest in the welfare of the colony. With a desire, therefore, to see an effort ift this direction moot with that encouragement which it requires, we cull attention to the proposed Intercolonial Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, to bo held in Melbourne in October, 1870, the programme of which has just been issued. Last year, as may perhaps be recollected, this exhibition was a groat success, and several of the prizes wore awarded to youthful exhibitors from Now Zealand. These exhibitors, however, principally came from Otago, and Canterbury was almost, if not quite, unrepresented. Our object in calling attention to the exhibition of this year is to urge upon our young people of both sexes the advisability of entering into this competition. Wo have amongst us many who could, wo are sure, if they liked, take honours wore they to enter. But, apart from prize-taking, as a more recreation for leisure hours, and as a training of the inventive or mechanical faculties, the study that competition would involve would be found very salutory. The youth engaged in any of the various trades would find that ho was not only spending hia leisure time agreeably and profitably, but that he was undergoing a course of self-instruction which would fit him to take a higher stand in whatever branch of industry ho is engaged. As to those who, from their youth, have not yet entered into the serious business of life, competition at this exhibition would draw forth their latent talent in whatever direction the bent of their mind might Ho. Whether in engineering, shipbuilding, carpentering, or in any other trade-in any they would find a field wherein to exercise their ingenuity. There are in the prospectus thirty-four classes, including everything connected with arts, manufactures, Ac., that can bo thought of. There are four sections of exhibitors. Section A, between twenty-one and eighteen years; B, between eighteen and fifteen ; 0, under fifteen; D, apprentices not out of their indentures, whatever their ago may be; E, between twenty-one and twentythree. Section F takes non-competitive exhibits. Medals in gold, silver, and bronze, and certificates of merit, will bo awarded, and the medals will be of a size and shape suitable to bo worn by the successful competitors. Exhibits must bo delivered before September 30th, and applications for space sent to the Secretary, 5 Collins street west, Melbourne, on or before August 30th. We hope that some of our young people will see their way to put their names on the list of exhibitors, the more so as we believe there are a number of clever boys and girls whoso efforts would be a credit alike to the colony and themselves. If some organization could be arranged, say through the masters of our large public schools, and a sort of branch committee formed, ! from which all information could be obtained, we believe that numerous e.vLlblts would be sent from here.

It is satisfactory to find that tho City Council at last, and after much delay, are about to carry into effect tho emphatically expressed conviction of their predecessors on the subject of the re-organisation of the official staff. Had it not been for tho untoward events which caused tho whole of that Council, with a single exception, to retire, the subject which is to bo discussed this evening at the City Council would have been settled long ago. The old Council affirmed by resolution that the question of re-organisation should bo considered, and this was some months ago. We are not for one moment going to enter upon the merits of tho case. Whether the Town Clerk or any other official has been wrong or not we do not propose to discuss. All we would desire to draw the attention of the Council to is the necessity of tho investigation being open and public. The officers of the Council are, to a certain extent at least, on their trial, and it is only fair, whatever the verdict may be, that the citizens shall have an opportunity of knowing the evidence upon which the verdict has been arrived at. It is too much the fashion in Canterbury, with reference to public bodies, to hold meetings in private. Wo quite recognise that there are times when, in the public interest, this is absolutely necessary. But the meeting to-night is of a different character. In reality the officials of the Council are, as we have said, on their trial, and it would bo manifestly unfair to them, should tho verdict be adverse, that the case should be decided in private. On the other hand, if the decision arrived at be in their favour, the ratepayers have a right to know why. Under all these circumstances it is to be hoped that the Council will not be afraid or ashamed to let the light of day in upon their proceedings in this matter.

We cannot compliment tlio local committee of the International Sydney Exhibition upon their zeal, so far as they have gone. Their weekly meeting on Wednesday lapsed for want of a quorum, and thus a week is lost. It may bo thought that there is plenty of time, but the work of collecting those exhibits is one which takes up far more time than those who have had nothing to do with that sort of thing imagine. If we are to be represented at all adequately, the local committee must bestir themselves a little more than they seem to bo doing. Let them get up a public meeting, and try and enlist public sympathy and cooperation. They want more funds to enable them to carry out their work than are likely to be placed at their disposal by the Goverumnnt. Lot them, therefore, go to the general public, who are deeply interested in this matter, and ask them to assist. It is no use sitting down in an office in Christchurch and sending out a number of circulars which go into the waste paper basket or the fire. What is wanted is an energetic canvas —a personal one—of likely exhibitors. If the committee were to engage a canvasser, as we have already suggested, ho would bo able in an incredibly short time, thanks to our railway facilities, to visit all the principal wool and grain growers and likely exhibitors in the different centres. Thus a likely interest would bo evoked in

tlio prospect, which will never bo evoked even by issuing reams of requests urging people to come forward with exhibits.