Industrial Exhibition.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 56, 4 August 1885, Page 4

Industrial Exhibition.

Wo take tlio following from the report offtheN.Z. Times: — There was considerable bustle amongst the various exhibitors and their representatives on Saturday morning, and a great deal of preparatory arrangements were effected m a short spice of time. The scene outside was quite m keeping with what was taking place m the interior of the building. All the leading, thoroughfares were thronged with people, many of. thena baing visitors who had come from a considerable distance, to see the Exhibition. At half-past 1 o'clock there was a large assemblage of paople m front of tho buihliug, and the footpaths along Lambton-qiiay and \ Valid-street were crowded. There was an almost entire aboonco of outward dis- : play, very fsw flags Hying cither on tho ships m harbor, on warehouses, on hotels, or on private buildings. Wellington naver had a much better opportunity of proving t*/ outsiders that the charge so often ma.de against it of being deficient m onthnsiasm wa3 quite a mistaken idea. Very little effort was made, however, to remove the stigma. Those who watched tho progress of the Exhibition did not anticipate much enthusiasm, though they ware quite satisfied that if tir3 community as a whole (including the various Committees) hid bean relied on, and called more into tiie counsels of the Executive Committee, a great deal of enthusiasm might havo been evoked. The various trades and friendly socities would have boen only too glad to cooperate hal they besn invited. Dr Hector and Mr Call's worked very hard* all through; but after all they were only two man, and could not perform tho work of a dozen. -After tho Exhibition building was cleared, it was handed over to Inspector Shearman, who took charge: of it,' but the force which ha had at his disposal was not ablj to keep back the crowd which rushed m soon after the gates were re-opened. Sir Julius Yogel, Mr Stout, and Mr Buckley were early iv attendance, but Mr Ballance and Mr Larnaeh only reached the scats reserved for them after considerable difficulty ; Mr Tole, the Chief Justice, members or! the Legislative Council and House of Representatives, had to walk about the building whilst the inaugural ceremony was going on. THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL. At 2.25 p.m. the turnstiles m front of. the main entrance wore taken away and the gates were closed. A few moments afterwards the flag at Government House denoted that his Excellency had started for the Exhibition A e.-dute of seventeen guns was immediately lired by the Artillery, which corps had been stationed on the reclaimed Kind. With his usual punctuality the Governor, Lady Jervois, and suite, escorted by the Heretaunga Light Horse, arrived m front of the building at 2.30 p.m. The Hero taunga Light Horse formed up on the left, and tho Naval Artillery, who formed the guard of honor, on the right, the Governor's carriage passing m between, whilst tiie Garrison Band played " God Save the Queen." " Make way tor his Excellency the Governor " was slwuted out, but it proved rather difficult. About five minutes must havo elapsed betore the gubernatorial party were able to reach the dais, erected for tiie reception of His Excellency m front of tho orchestra. By that time several ladies m tho throng were m a fainting condition, and had to leave the building:. There mast have been at least 2000 people m tho concert hall and m the entrance passage, and no crowd could have been packed more closely together. As the Governor took his seat, the scene was a very animated one, the dresses worn by the ladies of the Exhibition Festival^ Choir, adding a great -sVifuT^^tTf the tout en--s3iabte7 Indeed, it was a scene not like'y to he forgotten by those who witnessed it. The National Anthem was played by the organ, just as the strains died away from the Garrison Band on tho outside of the Building, and as the Governor passed down the hall the words were sung >hy the choir. The Wellington Guards, under the command of Major Butts and Captain Loveday, lined the passage on either side, whilst flags of all nations were profusely hung overhead. The arch at the entrance to tho concert hall was nicely draped with blue, red, and old gold, with the rising sun for a background, this portion of the work being nicely executed by Mr E. B. Haughton, who was entrusted with the decorations. Around the archway the words '• Advance New Zealand" were printed m large white letters on a red ground. The splendid exhibits of the Rnslyn, Mosgiel, and Kaiapoi wollen mills, together with those bslong'ng to the New Zealand Cloth : n<? Factory and to Messrs Wilson and Richardson, which were placed along the man entrance, added to tho general effect. [The opening.' ceromony here ' took place, a rep~>rt of which appeared m yesterday's issue.] THE ART GALLERY. The Governor and party intended paying an official visit to the Art Gallery, but m consequence of the fatigues of the inaugural ceremony they had to defer it to a future occasion. The gallery was thronged during tho afternoon, and thovisitors appeared to take tli3 keenest interest m the work of Colonial artists. Several of the pictures were much admired, Mr Gully's and Mr Barnaul's water-colors, and Mis 3 Sperry!s oilpaintings, coming m for a vory largo share of admiration. Tha handrail which had .been put. up m the centre of the staircase was broken down, so great wa* the pressure of the crowd, and at five o'clock it was decided to close the gallery till Monday. THE CATALOGUE. Groat disappointment was felt that the catalogues could not be distributed. A boat-note was received from Mr Mackay, of Dunedin, who was the successful tenderer, stating that the catalogues were forwarded by the Waihora, which arrived here on Friday, but through rome mistake or other the/ were not put on board. POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE, ETC. A Post nnd Telegraph Office, Savings Bank and Money Order Office, Telephone Bureau, and a branch of the Government Insurance Association, have been opened m the Exhibition, near the main entrance, Mr G. 11. Cable, who was lately m charge of the Telegraph Office, at tho Government Bu'ldings, be'ng the officer m charge. Several Press messages and private telegrams passed through his hands on Saturday, whilst letters and newspapers were posted. Whilst the choir was singing " God Save the Queen," the telephone was attached to the Exchange, and everything was heard quite distinctly, to the great enjoyment of those who had to sacrifice pleasure for duty. THD REFRESHMENT ROOM. The refreshment-room was very largely patronised. Over 2000 persons dining during the afternoon and evening, and as many moro must have partaken of light refreshment. Six waitresses will bo constantly employed, but on Saturday there wore a dozen young ladies flitting round the room. NUMBER OF VISITORS. The correct number of Exhibitors . at the Exhibition could not be ascertained on Saturday night,, but from 5000 t ) GOOO people must havo pu-sac-1 m an 1 out. It was asoertrne'l that thora were about three thousand visitors up fco 5 p.m. THE EXHIBIT-, The general op'rjjon. was that tho ex. hibits was a. credit to thg Colony, ]fo-

dvf.il, tho greatest surprise was manifest- ?;{ throughout the entire range of the buildings at the quality of the materials shown and t'to superior stylo of workmanship. The woollen, cabinet making, ironwork, an;l machinory, printing 1 ;iid lithography, wool, grain, and flax, came ii for a iargo share of attention ; whilst ho nrijjnifioont collaji/ou of beautiful woo U exhibited by- the Publk: Work; Oopartniont was mu.;h almirod by tin large number of visitors who crow-del tho room set apart for them during th » afternoon, and evening. Some of the knots of totara and rimn are very beautiful. These exhibits como from all parts of tha. Colo-ay, and were entrusted to Mr Connal, District Engineer, who had them nicely p dished and arranged. These specimens w3l : probably be sent to the Colonial Exhibition to be held m Loudon nest year. Those interested m the mineral development of the C-.doay closely scrutinised the splendid blocks of coal sent m by Captain vVilliams from tho Westport mine. Ther ) v/as another mineral attraction, .m tho 'shape of a cone of antimony, exhibited by the Endeavor Inlat Antimony Company. The cone was built of Rpassirnjns of. tiia raw material, some of them showing the thickness of the reef. Specimens wore also exhibited of tho cru.do and star m-ital — tho former boing m the state to wluV.i it wa3 reduced aftsr the first smiting process; the latter being tho pure smolted metal, known as " French Star, 1 ' which ha 3 the appoarance of silver, an I is beautifully marked by chrysfcaliis-it'oti, presenting an aopoaran^e as if it x \,u\ neon artificially marked by fern kuvos. Several photographs of tli-j mine, and al-n oxide of antimony, were shown by the aame Company. Mr S. Kolm's exhibit •of diamonds and jewolbry. manufactured by himself, were remarkable specimens of colonial workmanship. TUB STEAUIXE FOUNTAIN was one of the chief centres of attraction. Tt was shown m connection with Messrs J. Kitchen and Bon's exhibit. The crowds thronged so thickly around that it was necessary to havo a constable arid four assistants m attendance to prevent the pressure breaking down the railings. In the centre of t;ve exhibit was a lar-ja star containing about 400 candles, with two side stars to correspond, . mido up of bedroom and carriage, candles. Thoro were two immense can'dlec at either end, lit up with gas, standing I3ft from the , ground, festooned with ivy, and' springing from a cone of white .and colored paraffin candles. Near each of .I,liem was a large pyramid of soap, made m every color 10ft high and 7ft across the base, surmounted by sfcearinestatues 2ft to 3ft m height, one being a representation of "Summer," and the other o£the " Young Angler.." Besides these statues there were busts of Apollo and •Juno resting on bra -kets and pyramids of washing blue, whilst stat-ias representing the "Italian Garde;i3rs," '2ft Gin m height, were, placed on brackets "and on the ground. In addition to these there were 20 small statuettes of leading statesmen and writers, such as W. JS. Gladstone, John Bright, Earl Beaconslield, Charles Dickons, Lord Byron, Robert Burns, W. H. Longfellow, and also of the Princess of Wales, &c. These were mainly grouped round the base of the . stearin e fountain, the top of which stood about 7ft from the ground. It was moulded m pure Corinthian styla, with three scalloped bowls, fluted pillars, and capitals. Running through the centre of tho fountain was a sin ill water-iet, about one-eighth of an inch m diamo'er. There were about 20 stearine vases, of all sizes, ranging from 3in to 12in m height, standing on stearino pillars and pedestal:!, aid worked m various stjlos. A lar^G number of beautiful camellias were placed m the vases, the dark-blue background, -.witlvgold moiil;Vhigs, and the bannarets hnng ovfcTli£ad, adding very much to the general effect. The fountain was designed and made by Mr W. F. Kitchen, who also chiselled the moulds and casts ths vases and statues. , ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK. In order to give exhibitors more tiire to place everj'thing m order, the buildings will not be thrown open till 12 o'clock to-day, and will close at 4.30 p.m. During the afternoon selections will be given by the band. Tho price of admission has been definitely fixed at Is. The same hours will probably be olnorved on Tuesday, but after that the Exhibition will probably be thrown open at 10 a.m. each day Tho first of tho organ recitals will be given on Wednesday afternoon^ and evening by Mr Neville Bartlett, of Auckland, and it is anticipated that the electric I'ght will be m working order by ' thafc'tinn. Selections will be perform? 1 by the band on Thursday afternoon, and m the evening the oratorio "Elijah" will -be produced with a choir of about 250 vocal ist 3 and a band of 30 instrumentalists. On Friday and Saturday afternoons thsre will be band selections, and on Saturday evening tho Oamarn Garrison Band will compete for tho band contest. Those were to have commenced ■ last Saturday evening, but as the Oatnaru Band could not got here m time the Wellington Garrison Band performsd some selections after the oi-gan recitals.