NEW ZEALAND AT THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2102, 18 November 1880, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AT THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

The following letter from Mr W. B. Mitohell at the display made by New Zealand at the Melbourne Exhibition, was read yesterday at a meeting of the Industrial Association :

" Melbourne, November 6th, 1880. " The Chairman and Members of the Industrial Society, Ohristohuroh. " Dear Sirs, —I am sure that a feeling of disappointment is experienced by every visitor ■entering the New Zealand Court, as he threads his way down the confined space allotted tbis colony, in finding the various exhibits huddled together so closely, that for the purposes of an examination no clear view can be had. And in the event of a few dozen persons being present at the one time, it is a relief to push one's way out into the avenues or neighbouring courts, where observations may be made, and the thousand-and-one objects of interest may be inspected,, in a comparative degree of comfort. And what surprises one still more, is that this crowding should have been found necessary, where in close proximity will be found large areas and open spaces yet unfilled ; and in many instances exhibits covering so much ground that space would seem to be of no moment. Of course the Victorians, on the other hand, may be said to be perfect squatters in the way of occupation ; and the pre-emptive righto of the exhibitors, and the prominence given their eases, is viewed by many with considerable jealously. I have ascertained that Dr. Hector has used hia best efforts to acquire a greater area, in order to properly display what has been forwarded him; but the Commissioners oould not be induced to grant his application. On the contrary, a space intended for the erection of the Maori House (that had been granted) had been taken from him, leaving the huge carved representatives of defunct chiofdcm lying heads and tails together, and their not very prepoasessing features with their enormous shell eyes and their protruding tongues (as for a medical examination) to frighten the young children who, stiayin/ from their pas and mas, should unfortunately -wander near the rear of the New Zealand court. When passing down the avenue allotted to the Colonies, upon teaching the entrance of other Courts, the visitor gets a perspective view of the various exhibits ; but in our own case, by the arrangement whereby Guthrie and Larnach's doors, furniture, and panels, the Mosgiel tweeds, and some cabinet work block the entrance, the view of any other objects is completely hid; and not till you have squeezed yourself past these and other barricades, can any idea of the extent of the Court be obtained. The trophy of beer in casks from the various breweries is, at considerable risk, stuck on top of the glass case containing Dunbar's saddles; the latter being jammed in behind two broughams, the only carriage exhibits from New Zealand. And Christchurch people ask why Howland, with his extensive factory, and his character for carriage building, should not have found a place here. But the space between the vehicles and the case of saddles is so limited that only a very lathy individual dare venture; whilst Ayers' photographic views of Christchurch, the most shabby and inferior exhibit of the whole collection, is properly skied. There | is little chance of the accuracy of the figures being questioned, as they will be unobserved. Upon pointing the frame out to an ex-Mayor of Christchurch, who had been unable to find the statistics, I found him shortly afterwards on tiptoe, using his handkerchief as a dußter, removing the dirt to get At the figures. The absence of exhibits from many of our leading houses strikes one most forcibly i and the Industrial Exhibition recently held in the Drill-shed showed more extensively the natural sources of our wealth, than can be possibly estimated from what has been forwarded to Melbourne. With the exception of three or four kauri planks, and a few handsome polished specimens, nothing has bean forwarded to show the value of our timber for exportation ; aud expressions of surprise may be frequently heard at the absence of any wool exhibits. A wool trophy prepared by some of our large flock-owners, shewing the sample of staple of this all-im-portant branch of our exports, might have been expected, and was certainly looked for by many of our Colonial visitors. Jenkins's exhibit of timber, as shown in Christchurch, would have been of great interest and importance. The splendid show of grain "rem. Messrs Boyse, Stead and Co., P. CunniDgham, G-. "King, and Moore, and the case of assorted seeds from A. Duncan (who I am sorry to fiud has not yet recovered from his illness), are the redeeming features of the Canterbury exhibits, and, of course, are the attractions par- excellence to the farmers and others stereifted in grain. It would have been well

to have surmounted this group of oases by a placard, showing the statistics of the gram carriage from Lyttelton harbour for the year 1879 80, as quoted in the last report of the Chamber of Commerce, with a list of shipping despatched from that port for a like period. By the fine arts on the walls of the court I was pleased to notice that the ladies had been busy ; and several of the best paintings and drawings are from the hands of young lady artists, who will yet succeed with the brush and pencil. Point lace as fine as spider's web, and wool and worsted work of the most beautiful design and workmanship, are to been seen in the side cases, immediately in front of Sutherland's cheeses and Wttts bscon; and altogether the latter cannot be said to be in keeping with the former, yet they are preoisely what Canterbury has always been noted for. But here again oan be clearly seen how difficult has been the task of those who had the arranging of the various articles,

and the impossibility of a proper display. Leather, in hides or manufactured, is, except in boots, another scant exhibit* Fireclay, and numerous minerals with which our island 1 abounds, except in the cabinet specimens from the Museum, are also not shown. I have no doubt the depression in trade and the necessity for rigid economy had a good deal to do with the apathy; but still many valuable productions might have found their way here and have assisted in maintaining our prestige and upholding our importance. And I am sure your chairman, upon his return, will agree with me that, in comparison with what I has been done by other colonies and countries, we on this occasion have shown a want of

enterprise. Queensland, the court next our own, shows an exhibit of polished panels in thirty -six different kinds of wood ; furniture of all kinds made from its native timbers ; veneers of great beauty ; logs of huge dimensions, and leather raw and tanned. South Australia, situated next on the other side, outstrips us completely by the value of its products as exhibited. There is no doubt much valuable space has been sacrificed to bring prominently forward tho Victorian courts; whilst the numerous displays of pianos, musical instruments, and splendid specimens of jewellery from foreign houses have assigned to them the best positions. The Christchuroh specimens of photography, as compared to the splendid exhibits of America and England, show that we have something yet to learn in the application of light and shade. This, in some of the life-size portraits exhibited from the countries mentioned gives finished pictures of great beauty; although the framed specimens from Auckland and Wellington _ are much admired ; and one from Wanganui has oertainly excelled in this particular art. After the amazingly vast representation of the world's productions as revealed at the Melbourne Exhibition of 1880, I venture to .think that the most sanguine New Zeal mder will hesitate before he advocates an International Show within our own dominions for some years to come ; and I am convinced the most seosible and profitable course will be to oontinue our local Industrial Shows at intervals, and at a small cost bring together proofs of our own progress and advancement. As Dr. Heotor had left Melbourne before I arrived, and Mr Blackwood was absent, I did not use your valued letter of introduction, as I found it would be of little practical use. I am, however, proseouting such enquiries for various friends in Christchuroh connected with your Association, referring to their particular trades, as I hope my prove valuable. Anything I can do shall have my best attention, communications being addressed to me. care of the Secretary of the New Zealand Court. " I have, &c, "W. B. MITOHBLI,."