RANGIORA INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2131, 22 December 1880, Page 4

RANGIORA INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Messrs H. Blackett (chairman), J. Peele (vice do), G. Buckham, J. J. Robinson, J. Taafo, W. 0, Nioholls, £C. E. Tribe, J. Seed, J. Johnston, and R. Ahome, hon. sec. This Exhibition, the first of the kind attempted in tho northern district, was opened in tho Library Institute, Hangiora, on Tuesday. At the opening ceremony, which was carried out by an address from the Mayor, Mr Johnston, there was a large attendance of tho public, and about twentjr members of Christchurch Industrial Association, Approach* ing the hall, visitors were reminded of the event by a string of flags across the road from tho institute to Mr Orothers’ store, with an intimation in the centre that the Exhibition was open. Entering the hall, above the doorway a platform had been made for the orchestra. In the centre of the room was a Stand devoted to local woollen manufacture, a large case containing jewellery and cosmetics, a long stand upon which was displayed principally lace, silk and other work. Along each side of the hall were placed tables for the display of tho articles sent for exhibition, while in front of the stage and upon it was arranged a largo assortment of different kinds of articles. Behind the platform the wall was decorated with oil paintings, while the walla of both sides of the room throughout were covered with numbers of photographs, ohromoa, and cards of mounted ferns. The effect on entering certainly astonished the visitors, the most sanguine of whom_ never dreamt there would be such a grand display, or that the arrangement would be half eo well carried out as it was. The managing committee had evidently worked most assiduously in their task, and deserve the thanks of their townsmen and the public, who will have an opportunity during tho next two days of spending two or three pleasant hours in the exhibition. At 3 p.m., at the request of the hon. sec., the Mayor came forward to open the Exhibition. Tho Mayor said ho regretted he could not claim to be a public speaker, but he might say in a few words that ha had been invited to be present there that day, and it gave him very great pleasure to be present. Some time ago it was proposed to carry out a conversaziena for the benefit of the English Ohnroh funds, and he learnt that when the collectors went round many persons said if the affair was for an unseotarian object they would be willing to lend exhibits. It was from this that tho present Exhibition originated. The notice given had been somewhat short, and several persons, himself among others, had not had time given to prepare exhibits, but with tho display made ha hoped they would be satisfied with the first attempt made to get up an exhibition of the kind in Rongiora. On behalf of the committee, ho had to thank the members of the Christchurch Association for its assistance, and for the presence of a number of the members there that day. With these few remarks he declared the first Rangiora Industrial Exhibition open to the public. fOheers.j The Rangiora Brass Band, which was present, under the leadership of Mr Hammond, played “ God Save the Queen.” Noticing first tho pictures, which covered the walls, the visitors wore much taken with several which were hung on the wall behind the platform. Amongst these were several by Mr Gibb, viz., “Lake Forsyth,” “The Merope,” “ Wreck of the Glimpse,” and “ The Fisher’s Family,” all of which were greatly admired; several by Mr Peele, including copies of his two at the Melbourne Exhibition, also some choice ones, “Okukn Gorge,” “ Mahinapua, on tho West Ocast,”in oils, and a “Showery Day at the Teremakau,” and the “Moon Rising over Lake Hays,” which latter the artist purposes to exhibit at tho Art Exhibition. Miss Boys exhibited in oils “ Lucia di Lammermoor, and in water colors “The Standard Bearer,” both exhibiting talent which with careful study is worthy of cultivation. Mr J. T. Boys sent a water color and two pen and ink sketches, which were not without merit. A very fine picture, sent by Mr J. O. Boys, was “ A Bird’s Neat,” painted by Farmer, which was indeed greatly admired. Mrs Mannering exhibited a number of beautiful water color drawings. One of Mr Wrigg’s etchings was shown by Mr Ahorne. Several portrait pictures of horses and dogs were forwarded by Mr J. Fulton. The Ven. Archdeacon Dudley was an exhibitor of a great number, as well as Messrs A. Ivory, Hon. BT, B. Gresson, G. Buckham, J. Roberts, H. Revell, and others. The photographs sent by Mr W. Oook, Rangiora, bore evidences of cars in their finishing, and were very commendable specimens of the art. Messrs Buckham and Peele also sent a large number of photographs of scenery. On the platform were shown two eorap flre-ooreens, made by Mrs Moorhouse and Mrs Merton respectively, which attracted attention. Visitors of a literary turn had a plethora of old fashioned books spread before them, among which one of the most interesting was “ Ourtis’ Botanical Magazine,” 1791. An old newspaper, the “New York Oourant” of June, 1753, was shown by Mr B. Ellis. Upon the stage was also placed two well executed models of ships —one by Mr C. Anderson, Rangiora, and the other sent by Mr Pridgeon, the latter being made with only a pocket knife, bradawl, glass and sandpaper, by a sailor in the hospital, being quite a marvel of ingenuity. A largo trout, the first caught in the Cam, was shown in a stuffed state by Mrs Sinclair. Mr Taylor, dyer, Colombo street, sent a number of wool mats, which were praised for the care in getting up and variety of dyes used. A case of capitally made boots was shown by Mr Bridget, and the wonder is that there wore not more exhibitors out of the number of disciples of St. Crispin to be met with in this borough. A hat stand, shown by Captain Parsons, made out of different New Zealand woods, the pegs being made of boors* tusks, waa unique in its way, and very neatly manufactured by Mr T. Jones. A case was here displayed containing several handsome articles of jewellery, property of Mrs Burrows, a diamond set presented to Mrs Gatehouse when her husband was Mayor of Melbourne, 1875, a couple of beautiful cameo brooches and some jewellery, tho property of Mrs Du Moulin, as well as a set of mosaic jewellery from Venice, shown by Miss L. Ivory. The centre table bore on it a profusion of ladies’ fancy work, the chief among which was a velvet and silk ribbon diamond patched quilt, sent by Mrs W. A. Burrows, A Japanese dress, shown by Mr Buckham, was examined with great curiosity. Mro Blackett here had a very fine display of old china, including several large china vases, which are now very rarely met with. Mrs H. B. Gresson sent for exhibition some beautifully worked sofa cushions and other fancy needlework, which waa greatly 'admired. Miss Bhrimpton’s cleveily made wool mat was certainly a triumph in that way. Miss Stapleforth and Miss Gillingham were exhibitors of Fiji curiosities in ladies’ wear. Mrs Mannering showed n beautifully worked table-cloth, Mrs Ivory Maltese lace, Mrs Josling ancient eilk, Mr Nioholls old china, Egyptian brass ware, bamboo work, opium pipe, pagoda, Chinese gods and bell, Mr J. Lilly showed a handsomely made wool and silk work representative of the holding up the hands of Joshua. Gulliver Bros., by a number of flowers in glass shades, contributed to tho grand display upon this stand. The next stand in the centre was a glass ease, contained ostrich eggs shown by Mr T. 0. Mannering, coral by Mrs Dudley, punch ladle of Charles II and drinking horn by Mr Josling, claret jug and fancy articles, Mrs O, E. Tribe, silver services of plate by Messrs Taafo and Aherne, vases, Mrs Brown, statuettes by Mr Mannering, which included two or three deserving of a more extended notice than we can now accord them._ Coins were here shown by Messrs J. O. Josling and J, G. L. Scott. Mr Horniblow exhibited a dulcimer made by himself. Mr Shilton showed some neat wood and ivory carvings which it was claimed had only been worked with a common knife. Mr A. H. Cunningham here displayed a card containing old fashioned buckles, watch and punch ladle which was stated by a memo attached to be a utensil which in modern times had gone out of use. Mr Montague H. Smith showed a tortoise shell match box from Naples, and some Christmas card novelties.

Hearing the main door the next stand was that devoted to the display made by the Eaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company. She fabrics had been under the superintendence of Mr James Wood very tastefully arranged in a pyramidal form so as to give effect and show off the various patterns and qualities to advantage. This portion of the exhibition included tweeds of various kinds, diagonals, single and treble mills, Bannockburns and others, which for finish and quality oculd not be surpassed in the colony. . There was a variety or woollen shirtings, flannels and blankets, knitted socks, fingering and knitting yarns. The latter were dyed in all the prismatic colors, and tended to increase the beauty of the display.

The left side table contained examples of Messrs Bedson and Sons' industry in baskets vases, wreaths, scarf rings and fancy articles made from 7 pottery ware from kaolin, felspar, flint, as well as other items which combine to form the raw material. Mrs Moorhousu sent dish mats made from tussock grass in a pattern. There was a fair show of Maori baskets, including two exhibits by Mr J. L.Wilson. Mrs Robson’s old china was a really choice lot and very valuable for its antiquity, while a piece shown by Mrs Sinclair was really an excellent specimen of the old style of china enamelled. Mr Blackett here bad a case of curiosities, including a handsome Masonic drinking column, over a century old, belonging to a Durham lodge, which bears the emblems of the craft skilfully worked into the glass; a cameo brooch and Bohemian necklace are here shown. Mr Lilly has sent two specimens of the carpet snake, which it is presumed were once industrious in their way, viz., distributing bites. Mr R. Atkinson shows a capital specimen of silver sand, found in the Ashley district, which would be extremely useful to gardeners in striking cuttings in heat, or for painters. Mr Fulton showed a specimen of the Taipo, well preserved in whiskey. Mr O. J. Jennings here had a microphone and a telephone in work, which formed an item of entertainment to a great number of persons. Mr Mannering here exhibits an old brass ink horn and fancy boxes of carved wood, also carved whale a teeth. Mrs Gresson shows a model gondola and Mr Boys a model whale boat. Mrs Torlesse has ivory boxes, Mrs Tribe two or three fancy articles, Mr Vos and _ Mrs Downs skilfully carved boxes, while Captam VVyoherly and Rev. Father Binsfield show a varietv of articles, including a grand collection of shells by the latter. Mr J. Manning has a display of bottled beer, which those who wore present at the testing pronounced to be equal to the beat British beer. Ven. Archdeacon Dudley shows a walrus tusk with elaborate drawings upon it, Mr Shoreland boars’ heads, Messrs Montgomery and Co., limited, sawn veneers out from a totara knot. On the table along the right side of the building the exhibits are —Bedson and Sons, pendants and brooches of porcelain, made at Sydenham ; Mrs Qresson and Mrs Blackett, baskets and mats of , finely spun glass ; Captain Wychorly, a bowie knife and collection of old swords; Mrs Dudley, paintings on rice paper ; Mr C. G. Chapman, curious walking sticks; Mrs Wroughton, sword presented by the Queen to Colonel Wroughton, and sword used by the Colonel in the Indian mutiny, which, by the dents on its edge, appears to have been actively used ; Mr W. O, Nioholls, a collection of peculiar weapons ; Mr Fulton, greenstone meres ; Mr Seed, rope similar to that sent from his Southbrook works to Melbourne, twine, dressed flax, and twine tor reaping machines; Mr O. Busing, a similar exhibit; Mr T. Ohinnory, a like exhibit of flax and rope ; G. Smith, Southbrook, baking powder; Jones Bros., baskets, hampers, eel traps, clothes baskets, knife baskets, and perambulator made of willow; and Otago Taper Company, samples of rough wrapping paper. The latter, with Jones Bros, exhibits, are very commendable exhibits of local industries.

In the recesses near the main entrance, Gulliver Bros., cabinet and chair manufacturers, have taken one corner, which contains a display of furniture, inclusive of a beautiful set of drawers, dressing table made of different kinds of wood, with lookingglass in frame to match, chess table inlaid, arm chair, baby’s chair, and common ohairs, made at their establishment in Rangiora, also a perambulator, the workmanship and finish of which is very commendable. In tho opposite comer Wr H. 0. Bailey shows a drawing-room suite of furniture, polished cedar frames and covered with horsehair. The workmanship in these is very good, and a sideboard is also remarkable for the completeness of its finish. A mantel-piece of kauri by Boyd and Keir is an excellent specimen of local manufacture. The exhibits (for which room could not be found, wore placed in one of tho ante-rooms. Hera was shown a large pair of doors made by Boyd and Keir, as well as a simple washing machine, said to be very effective in its working. Mr O. Anderson makes a display of oiled coats, the manufacture and finish of which we have before referred to in complimentary terms. Mr T. Smith, Oam Mill, sends wheat and flour. Mr H. Archer also sent floor. A sheaf of oats, this season’s, from the Oust, is here shown. Luxton Brothers show hams and bacon. D. McKay, tinware and a churn of a new principle, as well as the candle machine made on Pemberton’s patent. Mr Blackett exhibits a small engine, ranges and other hardware, also ah oaken kist, 300 years old, and Mr J. H. Davenport sends two samples of bar-framed beehives.

In the absence of a catalogue, it waa difficult to find all the exhibits, though the staging committee had done their work throughout remarkably well. A promenade concert was given during the evening, and the Exhibition will bo open to-doy. A lunch was given by the committee to the Christchurch visitors at Roberta’ Club Hotel, after which, Mr Robert Allen, president of the Christchurch Industrial Society, gave the toast of “ Success to the Rangiora branch,” which was responded to by Mr Peele, vicepresident.