THE EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2516, 2 May 1882, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

There was a large attendance yesterday at the Exhibition both during the day and the afternoon. The Austrian Band played a very enjoyable selection of music on both occasions.

His Excellency the Governor, attended by Captain Knollys, visited the Exhibition yesterday afternoon, and was conducted over the building by M. Joubert. Hia Excellency inspected the principal exhibits, and expressed himself highly pleased with the display witnessed.

The Kaiapoi Woollen Company’s loom is now in working order opposite the bay occupied by Mr Wpmsley, the representative of several British exhibitors, and yesterday was the centre of attraction.

Messrs Maling and 00. have erected in the Wellington octagon a combined billiard and dining table, which is well worth notice, The number of visitors to the Exhibition (exclusive of season ticket holders, exhibitors and their employes) up to Saturday last were 61,784, of whom 7000 have patronised the art gallery, A visitor from Invercargill states that an impression has gone abroad in Southland that Christchurch is sadly deficient in house accommodation for visitors, and that many would have availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing the Exhibition, but were afraid they would have had to sleep in the streets. That such a fate would not have awaited them is well known here, and it is therefore to be regretted that any loss should arise either to the promoters or the public consequent on such a groundless rumour. The band contest, in which seven bands will compete, will take place this evening, upon which occasion the Exhibition will remain open till eleven o’clock. Full particulars will be found in another part of this issue. One of the most interesting exhibits which has been on view in the Exhibition is a pen and ink design by Mr J. Mackain Meek, the subject of which is an emblematical tablet of the history and resources of Canterbury. -The margin or border of the design is composed of tablets enclosing a brief description of the principal towns and villages of the provincial district of Canterbury, and a short statement of their resources, the corners being devoted to the ports of the district, viz., Lyttelton, Akaroa, Kaiapoi, and Tirnaru. This sursounds a wonderfully artistically executed piece of penmanship descriptive of the rise and progress of Canterbury, the history of which is given in two panels at the base of the picture. The first of these describes the state of the provincial district before the arrival of the pilgrims, and the second gives a chronological account of the principal events in the history of Canterbury up to the year 1882, including the opening of the International Exhibition. To describe minutely the various points delineated in this wonderful piece of work is impossible, as it requires to be seen to be appreciated.