EXHIBITION NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2501, 13 April 1882, Page 3

EXHIBITION NOTES.

No. I. THE NEW ZEALAND COURT.

In pursuance of the promise given in the naturally hurried general description of the various exhibits now gathered together in the building, the first of a series of detailed notices of them is appended. We have preferred to commence with the New Zealand Court, as being perhaps more in order than any other portion of the building, and the three exhibits selected are typical of the progress made in three very important branches of industry, viz. (1), the manufacture of boots and shoes and the production of leather; (2) that of woollen goods, tweeds, clothing, &o. j and (3) that of pottery, fire clay, and terracotta goods. The three firms whoso exhibits are referred to in detail below are typical representatives of these branches of colonial industry, and from an examination of their respective products one can get an excellent idea of the great strides made here during the past few years in each. In no respect is this more marked than in connection with the first exhibit described, not only in the workmanship and finish of the manufactured article, but in the production of the leather itself, and more particularly the fancy kinds. This exhibit would stand favorable comparison with any that could be brought out. So also with the woollen and tweed products of the Kaiapoi Factory, and the pottery, &c., of Austin and Kirk. Bach in their department marks an era in the history of manufactures in Canterbury, and should another exhibition be held, no doubt they will be able to show quite as marked an improvement on the work now turned out as they have done on that of years gone by. The first exhibit to oome under notice is that of MESSES LIGHTBAND, ALLAN AND CO. The display of boots, shoes, slippers, &0,, as contained in a handsome black and gold case near the eut-anoe, is perhaps one of the most noteworthy in the Exhibition, The whole of the work contained therein has been executed on the premises, and by the workmen of the firm. A number of original designs in boots, &c., are noticeable in the case, amongst others a boot called the Alpine, which file above the ankle well up the leg, and buckles at the back, entirely preventing the water getting in. Machine sewn, pegged and rivetted work of every description is also shown. Conspicuous on the soles of some of the boots exhibited is the trade mark of the firm, “ Zealandia,” which is now pretty generally known throughout the colony. On a semi-circular shelf above the ordinary exhibits are several pairs of boots, shoes, &c , for fancy dress balls. These are moot elaborately ornamented, cut from patent calf on pink and blue kid, and are of excellent workmanship, especially the mid leg French boot, which would be a credit to any home firm. The quality of the leather used in the manufacture of the boots of the firm, and also of the workmanship, is displayed most markedly in every line shown by the beautiful finish on the unooloured soles of the goods. A long case occupies the centre of the bay, containing a splendid variety of uppers of all kinds. This being a special department of the firm, who do a very large business in making up for the trade. It is not necessary to enter into a detailed description of the various goods here shown, as the quality and workmanship is similar to that spoken of in the other ; but there is just one line in ladies' shoe uppers made of porpoise leather which deserves notice. Messrs Lightband, Allan ai d 00. have developed a new source of local industry in the shape of the uso of porpoise skins in their business. Up to the present the skins supplied have been somewhat small in size, but tho fishermen intend in future to catch blackfish, which are a larger description of porpoise. It makes a splendid soft leather, yet quite impervious to damp, while lasting a

[ long while. At the hick of the bay is exhibited a splendid collection of leather from the new tannery of the firm at Hillaborough. The sole leather shown is of a splendid color, resembling the best .English leather, and is also solid and firm. The materials used in tanning this leather have been wattle bark and valonia. The other shoe leathers sent by the firm comprise kips, splits, cordovan, grain, memel and calf. Hie latter resembles in quality and color some of the best makes of French calf. Oow tweed leather and kangaroo tweed is also shown, both of which are very excellent leathers. Saddler’s leather is also shown in great variety, comprising harness backs, bag hides (of beautiful color), bridles, butts and sides, and hogskins. The latter being made from the hide of the wild pig are not quite free from, scars and scratches. A very large skin of a wild pig is exhibited on the wall of the bay, one of the largest seen for a long while. The end of the bay is occupied by a glass case containing fancy leathers for bookbinders, furniture and carriage purposes. Ttese comprise enamelled kangaroo, in all colors, morocco kangaroo (tor bookbinding), and some very fine bronze kangaroo (a speciality), roans of every color for furniture purposes. The whole case forms one of the finest displays of fancy leathers yet produced in the colony, and the'- bay is one of the most interesting in the whole Exhibition, showing as it does what can be done by skill and taste with our colonial products. Those who are good judges have pronounced Messrs Lightband, Allan and Co.’s exhibits as worthy of a place in any Homo exhibition. Next in order comes the display of the KAIAPOI WOOLLEN MAKDFACTtrEINOCOMPANY.

This bay is also one of the lights of the Exhibition, alike from the variety and quality of the goods displayed, which cannot be beaten. Commencing with the first corner of the bay nearest the main entrance, the company have displayed a quantity of cost linings, the first made in New Zealand, and probably South of the line. Four colors are displayed, and the material is as soft as silk to the feel. The next speciality of the company exhibited is twill sheeting, which can be produced quite equal in quality, and at a lower price, than the imported article. Beyond this is an exhibit of ladies’ dress cloths, which are used for making the tweed dresses now so fashionable for ladies. The colorings and texture of these goods is splendid, the most noticeable being an olive mixture and a bottle green. The range above the drees cloths is filled up with a display of the yarns of the company, which, have achieved quite a name in the trade. Amongst those specially deserving notice are four heather mixtures. Below these, and still further round the bay, is a collection o£ hosiery, which it is needless to say is really good. The end of the bay is filled up with travelling rugs, mauds and shawls. At the back of the bay is displayed about forty varieties of the clothing manufactured by the company. These include tweed and indigo serge suits of all kinds and colors. The overcoats, especially for style and finish, would take high honors anywhere. At the far side of the bay is shown a very fine Inverness cape, which is a splendid piece of work and material. Flannels, blankets and plaidings take up the far end of the bay, and there is a very fine display indeed of all kinds of these goods. The blanket* of the company have already achieved a very high reputation as superior to anything of the kind produced in the colony. The bay is finished by a grand display of coatings, of various colors and finish. There are hero ixhibited Oxford mixtures, indigo mixtures, plain indigo and plain black. A speciality of tbe company’s manufacture may be noted in the superfine black cloth exhibited, which, equally with the coat linings already referred to', is the first superfine black cloth manufactured south of the line. In the far corner is displayed a grand piece of frieze for overcoatings, which for finish and color is fully equal, if not superior to, the imported article.' Tne portion of the bay fronting the avenue is occupied by a splendid stand of over fifty varieties of the tweeds manufactured by the company. Some of the tweeds shown are fully equal in quality to the finest German, and all are well worthy of notice as being high class goods. This display of tweeds also occupies the centre of the bay. The history of the rise and progress of the company, together with an illustration of the factory, has already been presented to the readers of the Press. We now come to another highly interesting portion of the New Zealand court, in the shape of MESSRS AUSTIN AND KIBE'S EXHIBITS. This bay is nearly opposite to the ladies' court, and near tbe octagon. The firm are well known ss exhibitors at all our local shows, where they have taken a large number of prizes. In competition in the other colonies also, Messrs Austin and Kirk have succeeded in taking prizes, as they received a first award at Melbourne and Sydney, also at Dunedin, Ashburton, and Nelson. The exhibits in the bsy comprise, firstly, drain pipes from Sin to 21in in diameter, of capital make and finish. In connection with these pipes, the necessary junctions, traps, siphons, ends, Ac., are exhibited. There is also a large number of special sanitary appliances, including many of a kind not manufactured here before. There are double-trapped stench traps, which have been constructed from drawings prepared specially, and are used in all the connections with the houses. The firm also exhibit closet pans, which are also trapped ; urinals, fiat backs and for corners. In terracotta goods also there is a very large aisortment, consisting of string courses, springers, and keys of varied patterns, garden vases 4ft high, and very handsomely finished. For the latter there is now a very large demand. In the department for fireclay goods they have a large variety. It includes blacking bottles, pickle jars, both made for local manufacturers; large bread and water jars, butter crocks, holding one cwfc. of butter; spirit and beer jars, and kitchen sinks in a variety of shapes. The general brown ware exhibited is of high quality and finish. This includes a very large variety of articles which it would take np a great deal of space to particularise. The main features in this display are baking dishes, all sizes and colors; hand basins, teapots, spittoons, jugs of all sizes, preserve and jelly jars of all sizes, and water bottles, which are a speciality of Messrs Austin and Kirk, and are manufactured in various patterns and designs, one, the Masonic, being especially well executed. Last, but by no mean* least, it may be mentioned that Messrs Austin and Kirk have added a new industry to their already lengthy list. This has taken the shape of the manufacture of pottery telegraph insulators, which will no doubt ere long be largely used on the telegraph lines. We now come to the ornamental work displayed in the bay, and this is really very excellent. This department embraces rases of all designs and colours, fern pans also in different colours and highly ornamental, one in tne natural white being exceedingly pretty; very fine black urns of different sizes, water fountains three platforms high, and completed at the top by a female figure. The firm also produce tiles of different colours, flooring (red and black), and the ordinary house tiles. The exhibitors intend flooring their bay in a day or two with these tiles. There will also be on view shortly epeci-nens of the fire clay worked by their firm, both in the raw and prepared states. Prominent amongst the ornaments of the bay ore three oases of flowers and trinkets in china clay. These are very pretty indeed, and though pretty well known to us here, are well worth inspection by visitors to Cnristchurch. The bay is a very good one, and, had space permitted, the firm would have exhibited very much more largely. As it is, they have had to omit all their building materials and other products, which would have been very interesting. However, as an eivider.ee of the progress made in this branch of industry in a short time, the bay is a truly representative one.