THE ASHBURTON EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2215, 1 April 1881, Page 3

THE ASHBURTON EXHIBITION.

The above Exhibition was brought to a close last Wednesday evening. The attendance was exceedingly large, the hall being crowded, and the adjoining tents well filled with persons taking a last look at the exhibits. An excellent concert, consisting of songs and selections of music, commenced at 8 o’clock, and wound up at 10 o’clock with all joining in singing “ God Save the Queen,” The leading features of this concert were two songs given by Mr Q. D. Branson, a musical selection entitled “Jessie’s Dream,” played on three instruments, by Mr Weeks (organ), Miss Kidd (piano), and Master Morris (piano), a German song by Mr Goldstandt, a piano and violin duet by Mies and Master Morris, and a piano solo by Miss Kate Woods, all of which wore exceedingly well rendered and encored. At 9 o’clock, his Worship the Mayor, who acted as chairman, came forward and said that at the request of the president of the Exhibition, Mr E. G. Wright, who was unavoidably absent, he had to give them the closing address. He had been in the town from what he might call its prehistoric time, had seen it in times of extreme dullness and extreme prosperity, and had always done what ho thought best for the place. The progress they had made was astonishing, but he believed there was a grander future before it, and that it would eventually become a great business centre. It was at a sufficient distance from the capital of the province to make its inhabitants make their purchases there especially, as they could got everything they would want there as well as anywhere else. There were few towns so young that could show such public works. Their main street was asphalted, and a stream of living water was flowing through its concrete channels. With regard to the Exhibition, they all knew it originated with the Industrial Association formed to start factories in the place, if possible. It was at first thought the small upper room of the Town Hall would bo sufficient, but it was found that more room would be necessary, and it eventually grew so as to surprise their neighbors as well as themselves. The Christchurch, Dunedin, and Timaru papers had spoken of it in terms of the greatest praise. Amongst the exhibits were many local industries. There were candles which would compare favorably with the imported ones ; sugar beet, farina, from potatoes of which starch might be made instead of importing it at the price of £4O per ton. This would raise the price of potatoes if established, and there was no reason why it should not. There was no necessity for going to Tasmania for jam which they could make at home. They had potteries at which cheap and useful articles might bo made, and coal to drive their machinery, so that with a little energy there was no reason why they should not make the place an important business centre. The speaker concluded by thanking those who had sent goods for exhibition, and also the committee who had worked so hard to make it a success.