NOTES ON THE EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2562, 24 June 1882, Page 3

NOTES ON THE EXHIBITION.

BY A LADY. [Written specially for the Globe ] The press of Canterbury have so fully described the Exhibition, that it may seem somewhat conceited on my part to give my ideas on the subject, but perhaps, from a woman’s point of view, it may prove acceptable to the reading public of Christchurch. There is no doubt that, though our Exhibition is a success, it might have been a greater ore had our Government taken it up, instead of letting two energetic men like Messrs Joubert and Twopeny do it. They deserve a successful termination to their plucky venture.

And now to my notes. On first entering the Exhibition one is struck bv the large fountain, “ which continually doth play,” It is a handsome piece of work; in the basin are a number of “ plump and pleasing” gold fish, that seem happy and contented. I was also struck by the handsome carpets that are hung round the entrance there are some really splendid patterns among them. 0,1 turning to the right there is a court crowded with china and glass of every kind. This is the British court for china and glassware, represented by Mr Webb. I only wished I had Portunatus’ purse—there are so many really beautiful end artistic things to be seen. The Wedgewood, Belleek, Tunisian, and many other kinds, are enough to drive a chinamaniac distracted. The engraved glass is a special feature in this court. No doubt every one has seen the wonderful jug that took years to engrave, the workman not being able to work more than half an hour a day, as the engraving is so fine that no eyesight could stand more. It is valued at 150 guineas. Proceeding down the avenue there is a great deal to describe, more than I have space for. There ore British manufactures of all kinds ; splendid stoves, fenders, a wonderful assortment of screws, spring beds, brnshware, surgical instruments, maltine, gas engines, steel Bessemer plates, and numbers of most interesting exhibits. The Eaiapoi loom was on full work on a gorgeous tartan, that would delight the heart of a Highlander. Next that is Messrs Qrigor and Hutchinson’s American saw, worked by steam, where a ’cute American was busy at work cutting out suites of furniture from single blocks of wood, which be does without a mark on the wood, lb is interesting to watch him ; when done the chairs, footstools, &c., fit into each other like a puzzle. The saw is so fine that you can hardly see it. Farther on, and we come to the octagon where the Victorian sugar trophy is displayed—a gorgeous temple of sweetness —and round the walls are numerous exhibits, large saws, wheels, &i, and such a ease of Fry’s chocolate and cocoa! I have often admired it, but as yet have not bad a chance of tasting any of the contents. Then we come to a fine exhibit of Wright’s gas stoves, nice economical things lam sure. How pleasant to be able to light your fire, cook yonrdianer, then out- goes your gas till next required.

In tkis ayenue is the Court for Canadian gold. 1 wonder what it really is made of. It looks very good for the price. I must question the genial proprietor, Mr Edwards, next time we meet. Then we come to the Griswold stocking knitter. 1 saw it knit a full-sized ribbed sock in a few minutes (Fortunalua’ purse again wanted). Then comes the Singer Machine Court, that took the gold medal here. From its description it will do everything under the sun, and I believe it ia a nally good machine. The array of medals it baa gained is a sight to see. The Davis’ Vortical Feed is next. I like this machine best, for the variety of work it does is marvellous, and the attachments are so easily adjusted. It is easily worked and is almost noiseless. It is just as well, in the present state of affairs, that there is a partition between these machines. As it is, I fully expect to read some morning in the papers : —“ Thrilling News ! Fearful Battle at the Exhibition between the Sowing Machines in the Night! Awful Scene at the Battlefield when the Exhibition was opened in the morning! It was strewn with fragments of the Singer and Davis’ feeds, screws, attachments, hemmers, frillers, wheels. In fact these dismembered bodies of some twelve or fourteen machines were found to tell the tale of murder and bloodshed,” which had been enacted in the night. Close by these courts there are a number of Beppingale’o oil stoves. I was told by an American lady that they are used a great deal in America. They can stand in a sitting room, and if necessary be covered up, and many young people who have small incomes use them. Wheu good oil ia used they do not smell unpleasantly. They have kettle, saucepan, fryiagpan, gridiron and oven. They would be capital things to use in giving cooking lessons to girls, which are really wanted hero, as many servants who go out as cooks hardly know the rudiments of that valuable art—how to cook economically and well. This subject is worth ventilating if ladiss would take it up. The last time I was at the Exhibition Te Whili and Tohu passed me, and I had a good look at Te Whiti. What a clever face he has. When he looks at you ho gives you the idea of piercing beyond you. His eyes are deep set and glaring, and nave a far seeing look. A gentleman standing by took off his hat as the prophet passed. I looked the question “why F” and he said—“ I take off my hat to brains and power to use them.” I respected my friend for that answer. How many people bow down to the god of money here ; intellect stands a poor chance then. Now, we come to the western octagon, where stands the Oriental tea trophy—a fine exhibit —and close by the tobacco and cigar trophy—welcome sight to those worshippers a! the goddess Nicotina for there are oigavs, cigarettes, and tobacco to burn as incense to her charms. In this octagon is a weighing machine, presided over by one of our “Amtrican cousins,” a dark good-looking man, who, in dulcet accents, asks you to be weighed. A comfortable looking dame was induced to get on the stand, and then our Spanish-looking friend said—“ There, madam, you are just fourteen stone,” on which she turned to him and said, “And a very good weight for a woman as has had fourteen children. You’d look all the better, young man, if you had a little more flesh on your bones.” “Yes, madam, I wish I had,” was his answer. “ Well, young man, you take my advice, you eat porridge and drink new milk, that will do you a power of good,” said the kindly old dame. Opposite this stand is the Oriental tea room, presided over by two civil obliging girls, where you can get a capital cup of tea any afternoon. I have tried several kinds, and find it good economical tea. One of the Indian teas, called the Viceroy, has a very pleasant flavor. (T» be continued.)