EXHIBITION NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2504, 18 April 1882, Page 3

EXHIBITION NOTES.

THE NEW ZEALAND COURT. No. IV.

Amongst the varied displays of New Zealand industry there is none so marked as that of saddlery. The exhibit referred to in the notes following is one which at Melbourne took high honors in competition with those of the world. The case referred to is MB A, DTJNBAB’a EXHIBIT. This exhibit of saddlery is displayed in a glass case occupying the centre of the second bay on the left hand side in the New Zealand Court. It comprises saddles of all kinds, including jockey, English hunting, colonial steeplechase, colonial stock (in four different qualities), and ladies’ side saddles. The two specialties in the ease are a lady’s side saddle and jockey’s saddle. The first of these is made of hogskin, and inlaid with doeskin stitched with blue silk. The leaping heads are similarly ornamented, and the pocket is all of doeskin. The jockey saddle is all of doeskin, with flower ornaments in hogskin, which make a very pretty effect. This is one of the prettiest racing saddles yet seen, and has been purchased by the veteran of the turf, Mr B. Bay, who will, no doubt, yet ride many winners to victory on it. Of the two hogskin stock saddles, one is made entirely of white hogskin and the other of stained, both being stitched in blue silk The English and colonial steeplechase saddles are made of white hogskin, and are of excellent workmanship. The exhibitor at the Melbourne Exhibition took second award against the world. In addition to the foregoing, there is a grand display of the products of colonial industry in MB A. J. WHITE’S EXHIBITS. This exhibit occupies no less than six and a half bays of the New Zealand Court, and is one of the most noticeable features therein. Commencing at the octagon, there is displayed a quantity of turnery of all descriptions used in the manufacture of furniture nr -do by the exhibitor. The next portion of the first two buys is set out as a dining-room, and is well worth inspection. The furniture exhibited comprises a 7ft sideboard in American walnut in the early English style. The centre is occupied by a mirror, octagonal shaped, surmounted by a cone shaped top handsomely carved in flower subjects. The projecting bracket - like sides, which are extremely ornamental and useful, are so contrived as to enable vases, &0., corresponding to the stylo of the furniture to bo placed thereon. Mr White show* how this may bo done by exhibiting a number of very handsome vases to match the sideboard. The sideboard is fitted with cellaret and other drawers, beautifully finished and lined with fine cloth. The doors are very handsomely made, reflecting great credit on the workmen. They are in cross panels, with beautifully carved centre and antique hinges and locks. The various drawers, which are also very excellent in workmanship, are fitted with antique handles. The centre is occupied by a cupboard, which is ornamented in the same style, the carving in the centres being of splendid workmanship. The cupboard is completed by a miniature balustrade underneath. Corresponding with the side board is an over mantel of the same style. This is also in walnut, a wood which

is peculiarly adapted for the reproduction of early English furniture. This mantel surmounta a very handaome Queen Anne style of grate, with braes fender and brasses to match, the back of the grate being filled in with Minton tilea. Next ia displayed a dinner waggon or carving table in American walnut, of the same style of design. A dining-room suite occupies the central position in the bay. This ia of American walnut, upholstered in olive-green morocco. It comprises settee, two easy chairs, nix amah chairs, two carving chairs and an extension table. The workmanship of these, as in the former articles described, is such as would do credit to any London upholsterer. At the end of the bay are some extra exhibits, comprising a very handsome over mantel in rimu, having an octagonal glass back, and at the sides and top carved panels. This, as in the other exhibits, ia also set off by the display of a number of ornaments suitable to the character of the furniture. Here also is shown a carving table in rimu, and hall stand and chairs in the same wood, which are well worth inspection. In the passage between the bays is displayed a very handsomely carved old oak screen with glass panels, which has been sent for exhibition. The next two bays are devoted to the display of drawing-room furniture wholly manufactured and upholstered at Mr White’s establishment. The first exhibit which strikes the eye of the visitor is a very handsome cabinet in walnut wood. The front panel is occupied by a painting by a local artist, Mr Gibb, junior. The panels on either side are glazed in the old fashioned ecclesiastical style. The cabinet is filled with various drawers and shelves, surmounted by a bevelled edge glass back, divided into four compartments. Next to this is displayed a music canterbury in obonizsd wood, with glszsd door, surmounted by a half circular shape painting by Mr Gibb, Next we oomo to the most charming exhibit of Mr White. This is a mantel piece most tastefully draped in blue and silver velvet, very handsomely ornamented in white fringe and flower work. The taste and skill displayed in this reflects the utmost credit on the upholstering department of Mr White. On the mantel shelf are displayed a quantity of ornaments and miniature banners. The mantel ia surmounted by a very handsome pier glass of large size, in black and gold. The centre is circular in shape, surmounting an oblong panel underneath and two square panels on each side. The top is coved shape, surmounted by a balustrade. A handsome vase of flowers io painted in the centra of the cove. Kunning up the sides are the usual shelves and brackets supporting ornaments in keeping with the stylo of the furniture. Next beyond is a handsome corner cabinet, with painted panel doors and recesses for ornaments, &x This is a very handsome piece of furniture, showing not alone taste but good solid workmanship. Close by is a very fine Davenport of colonial inlaid woods, the work in which is, th ugh some years old, still as good as the doy it was made, and it will boar comparison with any work now turned out. The principal portion of the bay is occupied by a drawing room suite in tapestry of the early English style. This is made of walnut, and comprises couch, two easy chairs, six small chairs, and three seat centre ottoman. The workmanship of this suite is such as to place our colonial work in a very high position, There is also a very nice lot of occasional chairs in amber and black silk, peacock blue, stamped velvet, cardinal and black silk, and blue and black. The two most noticeable exhibits in this department are a double shaped top gipsy table in old gold plush and black lace and easy chair to match, which all the ladies pronounced quite too utterly beautiful. The walls of the bay are ornamented by a series of brackets in a variety of styles, the workmanship and got up generally of which reflect the utmost credit on the taste of the manufaci turers. The next two bays beyond those in I which the drawing room furniture is die- ! played are devoted to specimens of the bedj room furniture manufactured by Mr White. These comprise a very handcomo wardrobe in rimu, with glass centre door and the uuunl internal fittings, a chest of drawero to match, pedestal toilet table and washstand, on the latter of which is displayed the latest novelty in withetio toilet ware. There is olao a chamber cupboard, three chairs, and towel horse, in rimu. The bedstead is a very handsome brass one, with copper mounts and hangings in French cretonne. The mattress is a very luxurious spring one, manufactured by the exhibitor. A very handsome wool work sofa rug, with raised flowers, is exhibited here, and attracts considerable attention from the ladies. At the front of the bay ia a curiosity, in the shape of au inlaid table with the map of Ghriatohuroh in various colored woods. This is the work of one of Mr White’s employes, and is certainly a very beautiful piece of workmanship, 1 displaying bath skill and artistic ideas. The j whole of the bays are very tastefully fitted j up, the drawing room having a' 1 Brussels i carpet of suitable coloring to match the furj niture and specimens of the new seithetio : dado. The drawing room ia also very nicely | fitted, and in the bedroom the carpet is of a 1 handsome pattern, the walls being distempered in neutral colors. Altogether Mr ; White’s display of furniture, &c., considering * that it is entirely colonial manufacture, is one of the most noticeable features in Exhibition, alike from the good taste dis- • ployed and the excellence of the workmanship. Following these in the same lino industry are-