THE EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2490, 30 March 1882, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

The approaches to the special art gallery will be u Corinthian facade, executed in plaster, and fully enriched, the entranoe being flanked by a pair of columns on pedestals on each, side, 16ft high, surmounted by a segmental pediment, provision being made for the reception of four large statues on and innide of same. On either side are niches, 10ft high, for statuary enriched with patterns in spandrils. The piaster work of this elegant design has been entrusted to Mr 8. P. Andrews, who is under a heavy penalty to complete same by six o'clock on the morning of Good Friday. On entering the art gallery one is struck by its capacious dimensions, it being nearly 100 ft long by 50ft wide. The walls rise to a height of 20ft, with open roof and skylight on each side. The root' has a light and substantial appearance. The front entrance is bold in appearance, and of a decidedly ornamental character, being 20ft wide, surmounted by an eliptio arch; the windows on either side being of a similar form. A bold string course runs round throughout, above which are two circular lights, with keystones, at right angles to each other, which are to be stopped with ooloured glass. The walls, which are 26ft high, are surmounted by a bold cornice, from which springs a semioiroular fan light, supported on either side by richly oarved brackets and flag-poles, also surmounted by a central flagpole, which is likewise bracketed. Round the fan light, whioh is boldly mounted, is a band on whioh is to be inscribed, in large plain letters, " Advance New Zealand." The keystone is st.riotly emblematical, being the well-known uee fern and kiwis.

The work of laying the rails in the northeast area of the open spaoe dovoted to implements, &3., for the display of the various specimens of rolling stock used on the New Zealand railways is being proceeded with. A large number of intercolonial, British and foreign exhibitors have arrived by reoent mail steamer, and are now in Ohristohurob, notably M. Santifaller, who has represented Austria at Melbourne and Adelaide j M. M. Hautrive and La Rouelle, to whose care the interests of the French exhibitors is confided ; Mr Fletcher, the owner of the fine art specimens, for which the special gallery has been ereoted; Mr Edwards, tho agent of several British manufacturers ; Mr Andrews, of Wedgwood pottery renown ; Mr Scott, on behalf of Victorian, New South Wales, and South Australian exhibitors, and Mr Woodroffe of Melbourne, whose acquaintance as a gkssblower has already been made by the Ohristohurch residents, and also several others. We have been requested to publish the following arrangements agreed to by the musical committee of the International Exhibition for holding competitive concerts at the Exhibition, commencing on Tuesday, May 2nd next, viz.:-Binds (various kinds), not less than ten performers, each band to plav twice ; a prize of £SO to the best, with £25 additional towards travelling expenses. Violin and clarionet, a prize of £5 eaoh. Chamber music, not less than four performers to each set, and to consist of piano and stringed instruments, and stringed instruments alone, prize £lO 10». Ohoral performanoes, not less than ten performers, prize £25. Unaccompanied gloes or part songs, prize £lO. Vocal solo singing—tenor, bass, oontralto and soprano—prize of £3 3s each. School singing, prize of £lO, to bo expended in silver or other medals. Mr Thompson, of Messrs Milner and Thompson, has kindly agreed to lend, gratis, a splendid grand piano, by Bichstein, and another by Kips. When all the prizes are declared, a grand general concert of all the prizetakers, except schools, will take plaoe, at which each will be expected to perform. The decision of the judges will be final Intending competitors are requested to send in their names, and what portion of the programme they intend tojoin in, to the honorary secretary, Mr R. W. Walton, at Messrs H. Mation and Co. Arrangements for practice will be made when lints are A meeting of the Bricklayers' Association was held in the Wellington Hotel on Wednesday night re the procession. Mr George Smith was voted to the chair. Mr O. Ooomber was elected marshal in the procession, and delegate to the trades meeting on Friday next. The said delegate was instructed to inquire into the possibility of the mechanical trades drawing separate lots as regards their position in Iho Exhibition procession. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.