THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1882. THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2497, 8 April 1882, Page 3

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1882. THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Before another issue goes forth the opening of the International Exhibition will be an accomplished fact. We feel sure that even those who took an antagonistic view with regard to it cannot but now admit that its location here will be of very great benefit to Christchurch, not only in the present hut in the future also. It has attracted hither representatives of all the large and important firms in the old country, enabling them to become acquainted with our resources and capabilities, so that when they return they insensibly act as immigration agents to attract the very class we require, viz., men with capital. It has also been the means of making us known in parts where up to now the name of Christchurch had scarcely been heard. Thus it is evident that, apart from the immediate benefit derived by impetus to trade, a solid amount of good will result even after the Exhibition has closed and only the memory of it remains. One thing we must regret, and that is the choice of the season of the year. We should have liked to show our visitors Christchurch at its heat in the early spring, and when fine weather could he depended upon. However, it cannot bo helped, and we can only hope that during the continuance of the Exhibition the weather will he such as not to give strangers a bad impression. One of the sights of the carnival on Monday will be the aggregation of the friendly and trade societies. No more appropriate occasion for their assemblage could be chosen than the opening of a gathering of the nations of the earth in friendly rivalry. That the Exhibiton may be successful is, we feel sure, the wish of all having the interests of the colony at heart, and it is to be hoped that the spirited promoters will also reap that reward to which their enterprise so thoroughly entitles them. WHO DID IT P There is an old adage that one must go from home to hear news, and the following letter, which appears in the Melbourne “Jewish Herald ” of March 10th, is an instance of the truth of the saying. The subject of the communication is a gentleman who was deservedly respected during his stay amongst ns, and certainly he would be the last to wish to take credit for what ho did not deserve. His injudicious friend, however, appears not to have been possessed either of much modesty or reverence for the truth. The little fable about the share Mr. Nathan took in the procuring and erection of the hells, and that as to the painting to ho subscribed for by the citizens, are, as our readers know, without the slightest foundation, and if they were intended to exalt that gentleman in the eyes of the public, can only have a contrary effect. That this should bo so is, we think, matter for deep regret. Mr, Nathan enjoyed a well-deserved popularity here, and the attempt to credit him with having achieved things which he never dreamed of, seems to us to be malevolence con- • cealed under the mask of friendship. He would, we feel certain, be the last to wish to start in borrowed plumes. We thoreriora give publicity to th° alluded

in order that, if possible, the writer may be detected. The correspondent, writing under the head of “ Christchurch,” says : Christchurch has sustained an irreparable loss in the departure of Mr. L. H. Nathan for Europe via Australian Colonies and Suez. The loss will bo all the more felt as, unfortunately, we have at present no representative Jew (with tho exception, perhaps, of Mr. H. A. Davies) to fill his place. Mr. Nathan was widely known as a liberal-minded and large-hearted philanthropist, whoso bounty was equally shared by Jew and Gentile, and was without that ostentation that unfortunately character isos the actions of many of our self-made men. Truly can it be said of him, “ That he let not his right hand know what his left hand did.” It is not generally known that Mr. Nathan shared the honor with Mr. Rhodes in presenting the city with the Cathedral bolls ; he also contributed liberally towards tho erection of tho new synagogue, having given two-thirds of the whole sum collected ; in addition to which ho was always foremost in subscribing to all the public and private charities when solicited. To show the high estimation Mr, Nathan is held in, not only by our co-religionists, but by his fellow-citizens of all denominations, we have only to mention that he has, in addition to the offices of president of the congregation, president, treasurer, and, we might almost say, committee, of the Jewish Benevolent Society, an institution so well and favorably known to all indigent Jews visiting Christchnrch, filled the offices of President of the Chamber of Commerce and Town Councillor, where in the discharge of the onerous duties devolving on those important offices, he showed himself a man of high mental culture, originality, and oratorical power, that gained him tho respect and admiration of his follow-citizano, and 'fe fed assured that had it not been for his wellknown innate modesty he might have gained a much higher position in our midst. Mr. Nathan was not unknown in the world of letters, and although holding the highest position in tho commercial community, still found time to invoke the muses. His song, “Do good for its own sake,” composed by his talented daughter, and dedicated to Lady Robinson, has achieved quite a colonial reputation. Mr, Nathan and his estimable family were not allowed to leave these shores without an exhibition of the high esteem they were deservingly held in by all sections of the community. In addition to tho Jewish ladies presenting Mrs. Nathan with a very valuable bracelet, a public subscription is on foot to present the city with a full length portrait of Mr. Nathan himself, and I feel ‘ assured that the sentiments expressed by the crowd of well-wishers (representatives of all classes) that were present on the occasion of Mr. Nathan’s departure will bs re-echoed through tho colony. Comment is needless upon this production, and now that it has returned to where it originally proceeded jfrom, we hope the author will console himself with the reflection that if maliciously meant it has missed its mark.