ASHBURTON Industrial Exhibition.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2209, 25 March 1881, Page 3

ASHBURTON Industrial Exhibition.

THE OPENING- OEEEMONY.

Tho exhibition projected nnder the auspices of the Ashburton Industrial Association was opened yesterday by his Excellency tho Governor. The committee to whom the conduct of affairs was committed were evidently overweighted, ns although the number of exhibits collected together and the quality of most of them was exceedingly creditable to the district, the arrangements for the classification and staging of them was far from successful. In fact, the exhibits were gathered together in a very irregular manner, and tho numbers on the catalogue did not run consecutively, so as to enable visitors to go through the whole exhibition seriatim For instance No. 63 on tho catalogue and No- 600 were in close proximity to each other. Anotber noticeable feature wa - tho entire want of courtesy to the representatives of tho metropolitan journals exhibited by the committee and the secretary. Ac all similar gatheiings, it has been tbe universal custom to allow the reporters the entree before the general public, in order that their arduous task may bo got through without the annoyance and interruption of a crowd of visitors. However, the Ashburton committee, in their supreme wisdom, thought otherwise, and kept tho doors fa-t for two hours prior to His Excellency's arrival. Great p-eparations had been made to give His Excellency a hearty welcome. Opposite the Town Hall, in which the bulk of the exhibits were placed, a temporary platform had been erected, and at tbe end of this was a triumphal arch of evergreens, &0., surmounted by a motto in flowers.

The special train containing his Excellency and suite arrived < at Ashburton at ten minutes to one o’clock, un’d on alighting from the carriage ho wis received by Mr E. G. Wr'ght, M.H.R., Pre-ident of the Exhibition, bis Worship the Mayor of Ashburton, Mr Hugo Friedlander, the chairman of the County Council, Mr W. C. Walker, and Dr. Stewart, vice-president of the Caledonian Society, who wore presented to him by the Hon. John Hall.

His Worship tho Mayor said it was with the higeest degree of pleasure that ho welcomed his Excellency to Ashburton. The best proof of their loyalty to the Queen was the efforts which they had put forth for tho advancement of this their adopted country. After referring to the progress which tho town had made, the Mayor continued to say that by his Excellency’s presence ho encouraged tho colonists in their determination to cultivate industries, and for such kindness ho would beg to return him their thanks. He then called upon tho town clerk to read tbe following address : “ Ashburton, March 21th, 1881. —To his Excellency tho Hon Arthur Hamilton Gordon. G.C.M G . her M-jesty’s High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Governor and Com-mander-in-, hief in and over her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand, and also its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same l May it please your Excellency,—We, the Mayer and Councillors of the Uormigh of Ashburton, desire to tender to your Excellency, on behalf of ourselves and fellow-townsmen, our heartiest welcome on the occasion of what is to ns, and to this district, an important visit. Your Excellency, in coming to Ashburton today, has been pleased to confer upon us a high favor, and we desire to express to your Excellency our warm gratitude for your excellency's kindness. Wo trust that your visit to this borough will impress your Excellency favorably with the progress made by the settlers in a district only five years settled, and more than fifty miles from a sea port, and that your E xcellency will recognise ia their endeavor to encourage industries, a desire on tho part of settlers to still further advance the mission of colonisation they hive undertaken. Such an endeavor on tho part of her Majesty’s subjects in this dis rict yonr Excellency has been pleased to inaugurate shis day in the Industrial Exhibition you are now to open, and your Excellency’s presence on this occasion is to ns a source of the deepest gratification We feel assured, from your excellency’s past history as a. representative of her Majesty, that your administration will be characterised by increasing efforts to advance the progress of the colony in every direction, and to add to its well being, and we are confident that when, on a future occa-ion, your Excellency may be pleased to visit us, the colony will have fully emerged from the temporary commercial depression under which every part of the world has recently suffered. We trust that the term of your Excellency’s administration will be fraught with blessing to yourself and to the subjects of her Majesty in the colony; and while wo assure your Excellency of tho continued loyalty of the people of this borough to our Sovereign Lady, we trust that happiness, health, and a brilliant career may characterise your life, which it is our wish may be long and pleasant; and wo beg to sub cribe ourselves “ Tour obedient ervants, " Mayor—Huoo Friedlandeb.

[■Donald W illiamson. G. M. Robinson. I Rudolph Ekiedlandee. W. G. ot. Hill 1 Alfred Habiuson. I George Parkin. [T. Bullock. “ C. Bbaddbll, Town Clerk.”

His Excellency replied —Mr Mayor and Gentlemen —I am grateful to you for the cordiality of your welcome, and thank yon sincerely for the kind wishes with reference to myself which your address contains. The progress which has been made here daring the last five years is indeed remarkable, and it affords me much pleasure that the last place I t-hall vi-it on my present tour is one, the aspect of which testifies so strongly, not only to the resources of the colony, but also to the energy and determination of its people. Tbe following address was then read and presented by Mr W. C. Walker, chairman of the County Council : “To bis Excellency the Honorable Arthur Hamilton Gordon, Knight Grand Cross of tho Most. Distinguished Order of 8t Mickael and St. George, her Majesty’s high Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Governor and Com-mander-in-Chief in and over her Majesty’s coiony of New Zealand and its dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same:—May it please your Excellency- On behalf of the inhabitants of tho Ashourton County, we beg most cordially to welcome your Excellency on your first visit to this portion of the colony. We' desire to convey to your Excellency, as her Majesty’s representative, the as-uianco that the inhabitants of this county are animated with the deepest loyalty to her most Gracious Majesty. Wa feel sensible that in your Excellency tho colony possesses a Governor whose past can-er affords eveiy prospect that the office which your Kxcel ency holds will be maintained for the trne benefit of the colony, and all classes of her M jetty’s subjects. We venture on behalf of the inhabitants of this county most respectfully to thank your Excellency for being pleased to honor with your presence the opening ceremony of the Ashburton Industrial Exhibition, and we trust that tbe practical lessons in productive economy taught in to day’s Exhibition, will result in material advancement towards greater independence of precarious markets. i hat your J* xethency’s tenure of office may be gratifying to yourself and satisfactory to the colony, and that your Excellency may. during that tirr c. witness the great advance of the colony in all that constitutes prosperity, is tho most fervent wish of this Council, Kigned on behalf of the Councillors and inhabitants of the county of Ashburton, this 24th day of March, 1881. “ W. C. Walker, Chairman. “ F. Mainwakino, Clerk.”

His Excellency in reply, said Gentlemen, — I thank you for your address, and reieive with much satisfaction your assurance of loyalty to tho Crown and devotion to the person of the Sovereign. It has afforded mo much satisfaction to be able to be present with jou to-day cn so interesting an occasion as the opening cf your Industrial Exhibition, and I share your hopes that the interests of this fine district may be essentially promoted by the display of its resources.

Dr. Stewart vice-president of tho Caledonian Society, road and presented the following address ;

“ The Ashburton Caledonian Society hail with joy the app>: iotmeot by their beloved Queen of a scion of the noble house of Gordon to be Governor of New Zealand, and tho sod ty has unfeigned pleasure in according to jour Excellency a Highland welcome as Her Majesty’s representative and as a fellow-country, man. Do-tcended from an illustrious family, noted for their wisd m in Council and their bravery in tbe field, with beredit ry attainments carefully cultivated, and with a long and varied experbnee as Governor over diff rent races, wo feel, in the present state of matters in this colony, that Her Majesty’s choic; h is been an eminently wise one, amt certain to imi-art a feeling of confidence and security throughout tho c .untry. Your Excellency is aware that the relationship between tho two 1 aces inhabiting these islands has not been and is not in a satisfactory state. That f ho Natives are brave and intelligent is without doubt, and they are extremely je ilous of their rights and independence ; and justly so, we think- That their rights have been fully considered is open to question. A descendant of a proud and warlike race, your Excellency will naturally be the more able to understand tbe feelings of the Maoris, and by yonr counsel and advice the difficulties that prevent a thorough and cordial understanding between the two races will, wo hope, be swept away ; and instead of a legacy to our successors of bitter hatred and deadly fend, a feeling of friendship, amity, and a so-relation

of interests shall join the two people ns one, obeying the same laws and respecting the constituted authorities of the land. Such a result we think worthy of the ambition of the highest intellect. That your Excellency may he spared to accomplish this object is the earnest desire or the Ashburton Caledonian Society. Signed on behalf of the Society by _ „ “F. Maciiean Stewart. Vice-President.

His Excellency, in reply, said it afforded him great pleasure to receive the address of the Caledonian Society, and thank them for the extreme warmth and cordiality of the sentiments expressed in it. It would ill become him to reply to such an address in the formal and measured tone of an official reply. Ho would thank them for their expressions of loyalty to the Crown, and their respect for the representative of the Queen He would also thank them for the cordial good wishes which they had expressed for himself personally, and for the kindly manner in which they had spoken of him. Tbe late Governor-General of Canada, when leaving that colony, said he had only ono fault to find with his successor, and th it was that he was not an Irishman. Ho could understand the feelings which prompted Lord Dufforin in sajing this. The ties of kindred and country were strong in the breast of Irishmen, and the possession of similar sympathies endeared tbeirrulers to them; but he was glad that notwithstanding he came from North of the 'I weed the respect for him was not less. They had done him the honor of alluding to the house to which ho belonged. He would thank them for their kind sentiments towards the house of Gordon, and ho believed that whatever success he had attained in his life may be in a great measure attributed to his great desire to be a worthy representative of that house. They had referred to his having ruled over people who had not the privilege of self-government. He had always tried to work for such, so that they could enjoy the privilege of self-government. 1 hings were different in this colony, where the greater portion of the people were Europeans, and enjoyed self-government. He regarded self-government as the right of the people, and he would follow the advice of his ministerial advisers so long as they had the confidence of the people of the colony. Three cheers having been given, His _ Excellency, preceded by two Highland pipers playing appropriate airs and some members of the Caledonian Society dressed in Highland costume, proceeded to the Town Hall, where the Exhibition was held. _ After having examined the various exhibits, the following address was presented to him by Mr E. G. Wright, president of the Exhibition : “ To his Excellency the Honorable Arthur Hamilton Gordon, Knight Grand Cross of the moat Distinguished Order of St. and St. George, her Majesty’s High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Governor and Commander in-Chiof in and over her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same. Your Excellency—The members of the Ashburton Local Industries Association desire to thank yon for your kindness in consenting to preside at the opening of their first Exhibition. This collection of works of art, manufactures, and raw produce is the result of the labors of a few zealous gentlemen, who desired to bring under the notice of the public some tokens of the valuable resources and capabilities of this district. They were incited thereto by a keen sense of the importance of developing in this colony as many other fields of employment as possible, in addition to the agricultural, pastoral, and mining industries, both as a means of contributing to the natural prosperity, and also as a means of furnishing congenial employment to those who, from any cause whatever, may fail to find profitable occupation in mining or agriculture, or other kindred works requiring great physical endnrance. Yonr Excellency will be pleased to learn that the invitation for exhibits has been so heartily responded to, that there are upwards of five hundred entries. The exhibits of purely local production, though not very_ numerous on this occasion, are neverthe’ess important, including. as they do, grain, of which this county exported last year upwards of 50,000 tons, of the valne of .£350,000 sterling. The wool grown in the connty may bo estimated at an annual value of £IIIO,OOO, and it is anticipated that within the next twelve months active measures will be taken to establish a manufactory for the production of beetroot sugar. Enquiries are being proseented with that object, and the importance of the industry has been forcibly represented by Sir Julius Vogel in bis despatches to the Government. Samples of the sugar-beet have been grown in the neighbourhood, and both soil and climate are favorable to its production in large quantities. Tbe modest anticipations of the promoters has been more than realised, and tbe public interest manifested in the work appeared such as to warrant the committee in seeking Your Excellency’s support to a movement which it is hoped will conduce somewhat to the prosperity and happiness of Her Majesty’s subjects in these parts. We hope that Your Excellency’s sojourn in New Zealand may bo a source of happiness to yourself, and marked by a larce development of those resources with which this colony is so bountifully endowed. We have the honor to bo. Your Excellency’s most obedient servants, “ The Committee.” In reply his Excellency said—Gentlemen, I thank you for your address, and for your kindly welcome. It has afforded me mush satisfaction to conclude my present tour by formally opening this interesting exhibition. Tbe display of products exhibited speaks highly for the zsal and perseverance of those by whom it has been promoted, as well as for the value of the resources, the existence of which it manifests. I am gratified to learn that your efforts have been justly appreciated by the public, as they certainly are by myself; and I trust that your hopes as to the advantage to bo derived from them may be more than fully realised. His Excellency then declared the exhibition open for public inspection.

THE EXHIBITION. The exhibition, as already stated, was held in the Town Hall, but tho committee finding the space at their disposal insufficient, had to increase by adding on tents at the side in which tho heavier kind of exhibits were placed. Entrance to these was gained by means of the side door of the hall, so that they were converted into annexes of the main building Speaking of the exhibition as a whole, it may be said that it was a wonderful mark of t e progress made by Ashburton during the past few years. The gathering together of so many articles, the bulk of them of local manufacture, seems to augur that a new era is setting in when, not content as we have hitherto been to simply be producers of grain, we shall strive to take a part with the other colonies in the establishment of manufactories, thus affording within our own borders, not alone employment to our population, but facilities for the utilisation of our Native products. When one considers that yesterday on a spot which within the memory of man was a wilderness, was gathered together evidences not only of the development of industries, but also of the luxuries and refinements of life, it certainly does argue well for our future prosperity. Though the arrangements as a whole yesterday wers not so satisfactory as might have been, yet the committ e deserve credit for the zeal and activity displayed by them in placing in position sn:h a large number of exhibits as poured in upon them Tne catalogue, it may be observed, was most bewildering, and anyone who, fondly imagining it was a guide to the exhibition, rashly invested in one soon found to his cost that ho had made a grievous error. One instance will suffice to show the heterogeneous jumbling in this wonderful production, a class for artificial flowers and feathers was followed by one for agricultural implements ; then came bread, confectionery, and pastry, followed by skins and furs. The only way to give an intelligible account of the exhibits is to commence at the entrance and puss light on to the annexes, regardless of classes. Following this plan, the first exhibits to receive notice are those under the heading of bookbinding, printing, &o. These were placed cn each side of the small passage leading to tho main hall from the side entrance. The “ i yttelton Times” had some very good specimens of photo lithography and chromo lithography, whiUt the Press Company, the “ Ashburton Mail,” and the "Timaru Gerald” had several frames of well executed specimens of letter press printing. At the far end of this pa sago are some specimens of old books, remarkable for their antiquity and quaintness of typography. The main hall, in which wore exhibited what may be called the lighter specimens of industry, was prettily decorated In front of the gallery at the fir end were the words ” Welcome to our Exhibition,” in evergreens and flowers, and over the stage was a fl -,r il device. Banged on the table immediately under tho singe was a very fine assortment of witches, decks, and silversmith’s ware. Conr p'cuons amongst these were the exhibits of Vir b-lvtt (the gem of the Exhibition as regarded artistic finish), Mr Sandstein and Mr Murray. T he latter gent cmitn hud a most iuten sting series of docks showing the whole process of manufacture, some very elegant Indian jewellery, and a quaint ?et of brooch and earrings manufactured from five shilling and one shilling pieces. t-mp. George 111. Mrs G. D. B auson’s exhibit of Indian shawls and smoking caps attracted a great deal of attention, being exceedingly handsome. In front of these were a series of confectionery and pastry exhibits, sent by Messrs Thiele and V. H. Christie. The latter exhibited some excellent locally made cuocolate creams, quite equal to the imported article. Beyond the=o again were the boots and shoes, of whi.h there were four exhibits, those of Mr Chambers, Tootner Brothers, and Lightband, Allan and Co being specia ly good. Mr Farquhar had some very excellent specimens of leather gloves and gaiters. (Toso by here Mr W. Graham, of Lyttelton had improvised a workshop, and was bm-ily otuployid curing tho day in producing napkin rings, teetotums, &c., fromhe-.f bones, much to tho delight of onlookers. la the nest

avenue Miss Verra’l had a case, the contents of which the profane pen ef a male writer cannot ; presume to describe, they being of too mysterious a character. The prosaic catalogue gives them as corsets, and that is all that one dare say. Next these was another case lull of bewildering combinations classified under the generic term of haberdashery. The Boslyn (Otago) woollen mills had a splendid show of hi inkers, Ac., and the tweeds, Ac., of the Kaiapoi mills were also conspicuous. At the endof tnis line was a most gorgeously finished costume, which from the exclamations of approval heard to be indulged in by the lady visitors must have been a triumph. Along the righthsnd side of the wall were placed the various sowing machines now extant, not forgetting the Davis Vertical Feed, Singer, and Wheeler and Wilson, all of which were in full operation, the gentlemen in charge expatiating at ranch length upon their respective merits. These wore flanked near the entrance by Mr Bedson’s charming exhibits of clay flowers, which attracted so much interest at the Industrial Exhibition here. Under the gallery was fitted as a drawing-room, in which the suites of furniture exhibited were displayed to much advantage. Mr A. J. Whits had some really beautiful articles, notably a black and gold Early English cabinet and chtffonior, some splendid occasional chairs, and a suite in reran and knotty totara. Mr Meech had also some good exhibits here, and Mr W. S. King had a bedroom suite of very excellent manufacture. The walla of the hall were hung with a series of pictures, Ac. which added greatly to the general effect. In the front room upstairs were the pictures, lace articles, and specimens of needle-work, collection of coins, Japanese curios, Ac. The pictures were but indifferent as to artistic merit, except those of Messrs Gibb and Peele. Mr Zander’s collection of coins was wonderfully complete and interesting, whilst the Japanese articles from their very quaintnoss attracted a large share of attention. Here also were some specimens of woolwork, notable, perhaps, from the wooden-like stiffness of figure inseparable from this class of work, and a splendid collection of shells. In the gallery the most notable exhibits wore the electro-plated articles from the workshop of Mr S. Papprill. and some photographs by Mr Henry. Whilst on the subject of photographs we omitted to notice on the lower floor some very fine specimens of photography, exhibited by Mr Schournp and Mr N. K. Cherrill. On the stage were exhibited some pianos and an American organ, the tone and touch of which were practically tested by several young ladies during the day, who were kind enough to give what is known as “a little music ” at intervals. Passing from the main hall to the first annexe was a small room, in which Mr Jewell displayed an excellent assortment of cabinet work and articles made from pawa shell. Messrs Taylor and Son had here a model of their patent blind. In the first annexe were the goods usually found in the local industries’ tent at the exhibition of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. First in point of merit, as also in attraction, was a splendid exhibit of pottery and toilet ware from the Eoyal Milton Pottery Company of Otago. The work turned out is really excellent only requiring a little more finish to make it thoroughly equal to the imported article. Messrs Austin and Kirk had as usual a very good stand of their well known pottery ware. Mr Gould, of Opawa, Messrs Hall and Forbes, Ac., had a number of twine and rope exhibits, and Mr Chinnery some dressed flax. Some samples of European flax, valued at from .£56 to .£6O per ton, attracted much attention from the farmers present. Mr Btaldell had somegood looking locally grown and manufactured tobacco, and close by were pipes from Dunedin, which, though rather roughly finished, yet showed that they are capable of turning ont a respectable clay pipe. At the end of the annexe, Mr Stocks and Mr Sherriff had some capital mantlepieces of Oamarn stone, marble mantlopieoes and table tops. Messrs Wood and Co. exhibited Californian, Tasmanian and Nelson hops, and some good pale and dark locally grown and manufactured malt. Mr Quaife’s candles were well made, and the same may be said of Mr Smithson’s soap. Mr Mein’s preserved meats were fairly patronised, and so also wore the New Zealand wines cxhiMted by Messrs Schwartz and Co. Messrs Eckersley and Macfarlane, of Kaiapoi, had a good exhibit of stout, and the local brewery was to the fore in the matter of ale. In a small room just off this annexe, Mr R. Smith had his Alpha gas light apparatus, which attracted a goodly number of visitors daring the day. The second tent was devoted to stone, building materials, lime, Ao. Hera were samples of the Mount Somers stone, which for density and appearance compared favorably even with the far-famed Oamarn stone ; a sample of Portland cement, manufactured by Messrs Ingram and White, and the Oxford chalk. Coal was largely represented, there being exhibits from Mount Somers, the Springfield colliery, Ac. Mr Bradley, of Ashburton, had slabs of aaphalte made from the Ashburton _ gas tar, some pitch, and also a specimen of asphaltc side channelling, which it is intended to try in the street a in place of concrete. Samples of hematite paint, drain pipes, and fire bricks made up the exhibits here. In the farthest tent was a perfect wilderness o* articles, ranging from beet root sugar to buggies and harness. Messrs Friedlander Bros, had a nicely arranged and very tasteful trophy of grain, comprising some very prime samples of wheat, oats and barley. Mr Jameson’s sample of pearl wheat was a beautiful one, and some corn merchants of Christchurch hung lovingly over the bags. Mr Banks had some very good pearl barley, and Messrs Sealey Bros, tares were much admired. Mr Thiele had some excellent sugar made from beet locally grown, and there were also some good samples of the sngar and other beet. Mr Brace exhibited some excellent specimens of timber of various kinds. The cheese exhibited was fairly good. Messrs Moor and Pons had a double-seated baggy, an Abbot hnggy, and a dog cart. Mr A. Q. Howland’s exhibits were a splendidly made double-seated Howland _ style buggy and a dog cart Both were well finished, and the trimming and painting was such as to call forth loud praises. Mr Q. Booth and Messrs Hudson, Ridley and Co. had a large assortment of churns, chaff cutters, and other implements, whilst Mr E. Reece had a capital collection of ironmongery, cutlery, Ac. Messrs Deans’ exhibits of tinware were much admired, and surprise was expressed that they should havo'heen entirety passed over in the awards of merit —they certainty were, of their kind, the best articles seen hero. Messrs Hudson, Eidjey and Co. had also two patent gas lamps, which are said to be both economical and efficient. 1 hey are known as the Orion patent. Mr Hern sent a mangling and washing machine, which had the advantage of being exceedingly compact. In stoves, Messrs Watters, Crompton, Reece, Hem, and Atkinson, were exhibitors, all had many points of merit. Several articles, which should have been mentioned earlier, escaped notice from the peculiar arrangement of the catalogue. Amongst these may be noted a quantity of articles exhibited by Mr Passmore, Mr V. Almao’a stand of hats, made from New Zealand rabbit fur, some gold specimens sent by Mr Shury, plans by Mr John Anderson, and a village fire engine exhibited by King Bros. This latter was manned by the Ashburton Fire Brigade, and the test was satisfactory in the extreme, a strong jet being forced up to a great height. It would be impassible in the space allotted to enumerate all the articles exhibited which were worthy of no-ice. Suffice it to say that nearly every conceivable department of industry, whether of utility or artistic, was represented. The collection was one of which Ashburton has every reason to he proud, and no doubt next year ihe little defects which have been alluded to will disappear. Certificates of merit were awarded by the judges, hut from the experience of yesterday it is questionable whether this is a wise course.

His Excellency the Governor and Mr Wakefield, M.H E,, the commissioner appointed by the Government, made a naturally hurried inspection of the Exhibition, but sufficient to give them a very favorable idea of the resources of the district and Canterbury generally.

THE LUNCHEON. The vice-regal party, accompanied by the members of the association and others, adjourned to the luncheon at two o’clock. Mr Shearman, of the Somerset Hotel, provided the spread in a large marquee tent adjoining the hotel. The tables were creditably laid out, and the viands and wines of excellent quality . About fifty gentlemen were present; the president of the association, 51 r E. Q. Wright, M.H.8., presiding. The company having done full justice to the good things provided for their refreshment, the nsnol loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed and duly honored Mr F. G. Wright then rose and proposed the toast of the day. Ho called upon those present to drink the health of their guest, his Excellency the Governor. As membsrs of what might be termed an essentially working community, they would bo able to thoroughly appreciate the amount of industry displayed by his Excellency in making himself personally acquainted with the various settlements throughout the length and breadth of the colony. _Jn no other way was it possible for anyone to arrive at an accurate conception of the am 'nut of work performed in this country by a mere handful of settlers. Ho said “ a me*o handful ” advisedly, because the total population of New Zealand at the present moment was little in exce-s of the number of people who had swarmed into America during the year just past. [Applause.] His Excellency, had had a very varied experience as Governor of different colonies, and -it must bo owned that New Zealand had to give place to many colonies subject to British rule in point of population and extent of country; but ho thought wo need give way to none of them in tho probable brightness of our future. To those who knew the immense mineral riches of this colony, and the ferti ity of its soil in many parts, he thought it was not too much to say that few parts of the earth had a brighter fntnre in view than New Zealand. And the Governor of such a colony might well feel a thrill of joy in the knowledge

that he had helped to fill ono [page in the history of such a colony. [Applause j In one particular his Excellency might be said to have fallen on happy times. He alluded to the question of Native affairs. They were no doubt well aware that certain sections of the Natives had been for a considerable time fretting under promises unfulfilled ; but owing to the course of action initiated by the present Ministry, all those promises were now in process of fulfilment—literally and to the very letter. And he thought he should net interpret aright the feelings of his hearers unless he said that they desired a mo.-t liberal measure of justice should be dealt out to the remnants of that noble race, some forty or fifty thousand Natives of New Zosland. In this respect, he repeated, his Excellency the Governor might be said to have fallen on happy times, inasmuch as he thought all danger of a Native war was now at an end. As time was short ho would now conclude by asking them to drink the toast of “ His Excellency the Governor.”

The toast was drank enthusiastically. His Excellency, in response, said that during the few hours he had spent in A shbnrton he had seen nothing but what had excited his admiration, and heard nothing but what had given him pleasure and satisfaction. He had only one complaint to make of his friend on the left (Mr Wright) which was this that he was told on arriving there he was to stay two hours and make four speeches. Bnt he had not bargained for a fifth. [Laughter.] In process of time they would no donbt learn that there were many things which thoT Governor did very badly, but it there was one thing be did worse than another and disliked to a proportionate extent, it was making after dinner speeches. Therefore he hoped they would on this occasion excuse him being brief, and permit him simply to thank them very heartily for the kind and cordial way in which they hat responded to the toast, and for the good wishes expressed by the gentlemen who proposed it. Ho would however say one word in addition. It had given him great pleasure to he present on tbe occasion of an event so important in the district. Those who were best acquainted with him knew that he was not given to making compliments, and it was in all sincerity he said that he had been totally unprepared for such a display as he saw, and was very much surprised to find in that township an exhibition of so extensive a character. (Applause.) As he was on his legs they would perhaps excuse him if he ventured to propose a toast himself. It was “ Success to the Exhibition which had just been inaugurated, and prosperity to the district of Ashburton.” (Applause.) Mr E Q. Wright responded on behalf of the Industrial Association. As a matter of fact, the success of such Exhibitions meant success to the colony at large. The promoters of this Exhibition undertook it with tbe modest ambition and desire of affording some slight means of indicating to the settlers in these parts the capabilities of tbe country, and in this connection he might say that, in bis opinion, the thanks of tbe community were especially due to tbe indefatigable secretary, Mr Poyntz, and those members of the oommittea who, during tbe past week had worked night and day in order to get things in a sufficiently presentable form for the opening that day. The result far exceeded the anticipations of the most sanguine when the idea was initiated, and he had no donbt that they would see their way on some future occasion to hold a second exhibition, which would indicate a very great march of progress in this part of tbe world. On behalf of the association he thanked them for the kindly manner in which they had responded to the toast.

[At this stage his Excellency retired, it having been arranged that ho should drive round the town before his departure at three o’clock. ] Mr W. C. Walker proposed the next toast on the programme—‘‘The Ministers of the Crown,” coupled with the name cf the Hon. John Hall. In doing so be remarked that the present Government were peculiarly unfortunate in having to pursue apolicy of retrenchment, their p;sition being one of great difficulty. Whilst pursuing such a policy, however, they should be careful not to carry retrenchment too far. The farmer donbtless had a broad back, bnt it was not advisable or fair to place too great a burden on him, and it mnst he borne in mind that he could not successfully compete with America and other countries unless the greatest facilities were afforded for tbe conveyance of grain. He then referred to the Hon. John Hall, tbe Premier, as a man whom tie colony had every reason to he proud ot. He was a man of the people Ha bad raised himself to his present proud position from the old days of provincialism to the highest office which the colony had to rffor. He was moreover not one < f those who only studied one particular district; he had, on the contrary, the interests of all at heart, and would, they might feel confident, work hard and well for the welfare of the whole colony. The toast was drank with honors.

Tho Hon. John Hall, on behalf of his colleagues and himself, returned thanks. He could assure them that it gave him very great pleasure to be present on this occasion, the more especially when he reflected on tho remarkable growth which had taken plana in Ashburton during the last few years, and he was extremely pleased to witness such a creditable and useful exhibition as that which had jnst been formally opened, indicating as it did the strength of lacal industries in their midst. It was perfectly true that in the infancy of a young country, agricaltnre must he its main stay in ordinary circumstances and for that reason this industry was one which the Gaverament would do its utmost to encourage,

bearing in mind that keen competition to which the chairman had alluded. It was also true that no country had become rich which had depended upon agriculture alone, and the time had come in New Zealand when that sort of employment must be supplemented by others. Therefore he was gratified that the gentlemen of Ashburton bad taken this step towards awakening an interest in local industries. [Applause ] He could assure them that the Government had a very lively sense of the importance of local manufactures, and would do everything to support enterprise of that kind. [Applause.] Before he sat down he would take the opportunity of saying a word about himself and the Ashburton district. [Mr Hall here traced the history of the place and his connection with it from a remote period, but hia remarks were for the most part inaudible to the reporter at this stage, owing to noises at the railway station,] In bis most sanguine moments he never thought he should live ta see the plains covered as they were now, far less that he would see so large a town as this on a site so very near his early rambles, and least of all did he dream that he should stand here to return thanks as Prime Minister of the colony. In conclusion, he expressed hia grateful thanks for the kind manner in which the toast had been proposed and responded to. Mr Bullock proposed “ The General Assembly.” To that body the country owed most of its prosperity, and he was harpy to say that the members representing the Provincial District of Canterbury were all men they might he proud of. They studied the interests not only of their particular districts, but the well being of the colony at large. Mr Wakefield responded, and, in the first place, said he regretted the absence of the member for the district (Mr Wright), who was absent with the Governor. It nevertheless gave him great pleasure to rescond on this occasion, an representing the General Assembly of New Zealand. He might say that he believed the members of the Assembly from all porta did their duty towards the country—| applause]—in a greater measure than the public generally gave them credit for. [Applause.] The circumstances of New Zealand were so peculiar that its government was more difficult perhaps than that of any ether country in the world—circumstances which gave rise to so many local jealousies that it was almost impossible to, get any number of men coming from different parts of the colony to agree on any subject. [Laughter and applause.] That the results of their deliberations, in these circumstances, were not worse than they were was owing principally to the high character generally of the men chosen as members of Parliament. They had at all events no violence in their councils, and he felt bound to say that a very high desire appeared to animate the members to farther the interest of the colony, so far as the means would permit. [ Applause.] Speaking of this particular occasion it afforded him personally very great pleasure to be present, and ho looked forward with hope to the time when the General Assembly of New Zealand would devoto itself to practical subjects, such as the local industries of the colony, instead of making laws which the people did not want, and which they did not know whether to obey or not. [Laughter and applause.] He considered that an occasion of this kind w.s of very great assistance to the Legislature of the country, as pointing out the way to go. The members of Parliament had to look to the people for guidance, as much as the people had to look to them in the same way; and he must say that if the General Assembly of New Zealand would follow the guidance that the people of Christchurch, of Ashburton, and other places were affording them, in attending to the local industries, and increa-ing the productiveness of the country, they would do a great deal more good than by devoting themselves to discussions tending to swell the volume of our statute books. [Hear, hear.] As time was short he would say no more, except to thank them for honouring the toast of the General Assembly. Mr Wason briefly proposed “The Borough and County Councils,” remarking that in the fntnre of the colony the local governing bodies must play conspicuous parts. Mr W. O. Walker, for the Connty Council, and Mr Bullock, for the Borough Council, responded. Tho special train conveying his Excellency and suite departed “ through for Lyttelton ” at 3 25. A crowd assembled on the platform, and three In arty cheers were given for tho Governor us the train left.