NEWSON ARUZANS' EXHIBITION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 30, 6 February 1868, Page 2

NEWSON ARUZANS' EXHIBITION.

[ To the Editor o*' the Nelson Evening Mail. j Sir —The subject of your leading article I in this eveniug's issue has given fresh I publicity to a matter which, from tbe little that has of late been heard respecting it, seemed to have come to a premature end. It is to be sincerely hoped that the pertineut remarks you make iv that article on the proposed Industrial Exhibition, will impart a new impetus to the scheme, and lead to a more geueral interest and a mere united action beiug taken in it. As it is a matter which might be helped by public discussion, I trust that fche following plain suggestion may not be deemed out of place : — It seems that one of the objects of the exhibition is to be the obtaiuing of 'sufficient funds from admission fees' to enable the association to fouud a library for tho use of its members. Now, sir, seeing that considerable difficulty is experienced in inducing exhibitors to come forward — a difficulty indeed which threatens to nip the idea iv the bud —l think that a first attempt to form ao exhibition of this kiud would be greatly promoted, and be far more likely of successful accomplishment, if the funds accruing from the said admission fees were applied in a manner calculated in some degree to get over the difficulty mentioned. I would suggest that a part of the pioceeds should be apportioned out in prizes, for bestowal on such of the competitors as had exhibited articles of self-manufacture which might be judged specially deserving of this recognition of their merits ; the nature and value ofthe prizes, of course, Lo be determined upon by the committee. I think it is generally admitted that the fostering of a spirit of competition, by means of awards, has had much to do with the success of similar schemes carried out elsewhere. Let a little friendly rivalry (inspired in part by some such artificial raeaus as that mentioned) be introduced into our Nelson Exhibition, and the result will, I believe, prove the wisdom of the course. Not only would the present difficulty be, in some measure, removed, but the increased number of competitors who might thus be induced to come forward, would render it more interesting, and, as a likely consequence, a better paying exhibition. I am, &c, L. J. Nelson, Feb. 5, 1868.