THE WELLINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5386, 2 July 1878, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

TINE ABTS AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. Yesterday afternoon the Exhibition promoted by the Wellington Working Men’s Club was inaugurated with a ceremony that was well planned and proved highly successful. Ever since the club was formed his Excellency the Governor has taken a deep interest in its progress, and upon being requested to open the Exhibition he readily consented to do so. Oii Saturday he had a private view of the rooms in their then state of preparation. By yesterday all exhibits had been arranged, and the en-trance-hall, staircase, and lobbies were nicely decorated with banners and evergreens. In the picture gallery a handsome piano, the second prize in the art union, was placed. A temporary dais had been raised at the western end of the hall, and to this his Excellency was escorted on his arrival by the president of the club, Mr. Patrick Galvin, the trustees, Messrs. W, Hutchison and Samuel Brown, Mr. Quick, solicitor to the club, and his Worship the Mayor of Wellington. 1 The chair was taken by the President, on whose right were the Governor and the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, 0.8., Colonial Secretary; and on his left were the Mayor of Wellington, and the Hon. Mr. Fisher, PostmasterGeneral. Among those present were the members of the City Council, Mr. F. A. Krull, German Consul, Capt. Mclntyre, United States Consul, the Hon. Ur. Pollen, M. !j.0., Mr. G. Hunter, M.H.R., and a number of the leading members of the mercantile community. There were not many ladies in the hall, an idea that there would be a great crush having doubtless tended to keep them away. However, there was no crowding in the afternoon, there being ample room for all. The Mayor had requested the public to keep a half-holiday, but this they did not do. An attempt was made to obtain a half-holiday in the . Government offices, but this was - not agreed to, although officers who wished to be present at the opening found no difficulty in getting leave. The proceedings were commenced at shortly after 2 o’clock by his Worship, who spoke as follows :

The Mayor : My Lord, ladies, and gentlemen, —On behalf of the citizens of Wellington, I beg to congratulate the promoters of the association and the members of it upon the very successful manner in which they have inaugurated the opening of their new club buildings. I trust that this exhibition may be the forerunner of a colonial exhibition, for I think, considering the very great progress the colony has made during the last year or two, we might fairly calculate upon it being a success. I also congratulate the members upon having his Excellency the Governor to do the honors upon the present occasion, he having, with his usual kindness, acceded to the request made to him to do so. (Cheers.) I believe that one of the trustees will now address you, to give a history of the efforts of the association up to the present time, and its objects in the future. t

The President : I beg to call upon Mr. Hutchison, as a trustee of the club, to state the objects for which this Exhibition was got up. Mr. W. Hutchison : My Lord, ladies, and gentlemen, --The committee of the Working Men’s Club have done me the honor, as one of their trustees, to request that I should here state generally the character and design of the present Exhibition. In doing so, it may be premised that the Exhibition is the project of the members of the club ; to them alone belongs the credit of its inception. It has, however, met with large and gratifying encouragement from the public, as is evidenced by the numerous articles, many of them rich and rare, gathered together in these premises ; while the exhibits, as they now appear before yon, have been arranged, on very short notice and with much tact and industry, under the supervision of Mr. Cary. The fact, then, that this is a Fine Arts and Industrial Exhibition, under the auspices of a Working Men’s Club, should go far to dissipate two fallacies which have been, and still continue to be, more or less prevalent. The first of these fallacies, and the one which working men are most concerned to combat, consists in the belief that the mass of the population attach little or no importance to art, at least: to art in its ornamental department—that they but poorly appreciate what is simply beautiful The second fallacy, more general in its character,' yet intimately connected with the first, is the somewhat popular notion that if a thing is beautiful it cannot also ho useful, and that therefore it becomes Gradgrinds, and your other men of hard facts, to surround themselves with articles mostly conspicuous by their ugliness. (Applause.) It is no doubt a fact that working men have neither the time nor the means of cultivating art in the same way as the richer or more leisured classes may do, but happily it is equally a fact that beauty is not dependent upon mere wealth ; the aesthetic faculty—the enjoyment, for example, of nature and nature’s grandeur, the sun in his glory, and the moon in her chastened radiance, is as instinctive in one section of the community as another, and it is well,known that numbers of our artisans possess that cunning skill which effectually lifts their labor above mere rude mechanism, and in many instances fills and informs it with beauty, and even with a species of creative design. This ajsthetio faculty, however, although inborn, requires culture and direction for its full development. And as man does not live by bread alone—as there are feelings and aspirations beyond those merely physical—it is almost needless for me to point out the importance of this culture alike to national progress and individual happiness. Think for a moment of its practical application. To a large extent we are alt chameleons. Not only do our social and family relationships influence us for good or evil, as Tennyson has so finely stated it for us— ' Yet It shall be: thou shalt lower to his level day by 1 day, , ■ What is flue within thee growing coarse to sympathise with clay. As the husband is, the wife is; thou art mated with a clown, And the grossness of his nature will have weight to drag thee down. Not only so, but we take on the hue of our outward environments ; an untidy house leads to an untidy family. We are rosy among the roses, clod-like among the clods, briny by the sea. The class inference, as I take it, is sufficiently obvious. Parity of taste, and love of the beautiful, should be diffused throughput the community—diffused not only in its subtle enjoyment for the few, but in its more substantive application for the many. I hold that msthesic taste should be taught in pur schools, fostered in our several homes, and everywhere invoked ns an adornment and a solace of daily life. After noble purpose and family affection, ne means more effectual whereby to rise, above the sensual and the commonplace than the cultivation of the true and the beautiful. And I am fain to hope that this Exhibition, designed for this purpose, may be a step towards so desirable a consummation. Art exhibitions have become one of our grand means of instruction and international intercourse. At this moment France has gathered to her capital vast treasures of art and industry from both the old and new worlds. Ours is a small local attempt by working men, but it will not be wholly devoid of beneficial results if it turn public attention to the point indicated and shows to our citizens of wealth and influence the way to set about something larger and better at a future day. Why should Wellington not be made the theatre of a great Australasian Exhibition f (Cheers.) A combination of the useful and the beautiful is no new thing. It is, indeed, old as creation, being everywhere apparent in the works of Nature, for the enjoyment of which the eye needs Opportunity—and opportunity even more than education. The early Egyptians seem to have known of this combination; the Greeks and Romans practised it. A Greek temple or an Etruscan vase is but the best adaptation of means to an end —lines of grace evolved out of forms of necessity. It was the sight of a small earthen cup of Italian manufacture, covered with a beautiful enamel, which ; first incited Palissy, the potter, to those self-deny-ing labors which ended in his production of marvels of ceramic beauty, which are the glory of this plastic art. Wedgwood's life at Burslem was another brave struggle for the union of the beautiful with the useful in this same art. These men tried’one experiment after another—unbefriended and uuheiped, amid poverty and scorn—until, by brains and indomitable perseverance, they became masters of the situation, and then the world fawned upon them; for the world, which too often foils to appreciate merit," is never unable to appreciate success. As I have drifted somehow among pottery,lmay perhaps best illustrate the exact nature of what I mean iu a union of the useful and the. beautiful by au example from this branch of art. Toko the “ Brown George ” of England—the well-known jug of domestic use; the article which 'holds the Englishman's dinner beverage, be it beer or water. Most of you no doubt are acquainted

with the ungainly thing. Set beside it the vessel constructed for similar domestic purposes in a country which we hardly consider raised above barbarism—say the jug used by the Egyptian peasant. Ugliness certainly begot the one; Art was the parent of the other. The one will contain liquids, and no more. The other is to see that given material, price, and uses, no better could be made. It is to hold as much water as possible, therefore the utmost capacity in proportion to size is obtained in its large body, It is to' > carry it without waste or dust, therefore the mouth is small. It requires handles, and these must not be liable to fracture, therefore they are cunningly attached in the deep and graceful curve of the throat, where they are safe from sudden blows. Such is the difference between the two, and the truth, 1 repeat, that underlies the whole of facts like these amounts to this—that what is useful becomes not less but more useful by being beautiful also. And further, the truth being as stated, it becomes us, as we have opportunity, to do what we can to touch the commonest things into comeliness, and to infuse into the plainest and least costly materials the spirit of grace and beauty. I cannot attempt to furnish any details of the Exhibition; the catalogue in process of preparation and the local newspapers must do that. This room is chiefly devoted to pictures. We have none of the great masters, either ancient or modern; our remote position on the globe * forbids any such acquisitions. But we have much that is excellent, and more that is very hopeful in drawings by a number .of our own colonists—Mr, Barraud, Mr, Brandon, Mr, Bawson, Mr. Gibb, and others, among whom I may venture to say there is a ycung lady whose work indicates! true artistic manipulation. (Applause.) I have already had occasion to speak of the influence of our surroundings upon the daily life we lead. The truth is illustrated by the pictures in this Exhibition. The conformation of our island home makes the sea—“the inviolate sea”—the most striking and impressive of visions to the most of us; hence the walls possess more marine sketches than any other. We have the sea in varied and magnificent forms, but chiefly, as it strikes me, in stretches of emerald or blue, when, as Milton says, “ old ocean smiles.” The coast is iron-bound or lonely, with silence brooding over it—

"Where hunter’s horn wae never heard. Nor bugle of the forest bee. The adjoining room is devoted to curiosities, articles of vertu, a fine collection of New Zealand ferns, &o. The rooms above contain industrial exhibits and mechanical appliances, which will be found well worth a careful visit. Through the courtesy of the heads of the respective departments, we have the printing press and the telegraph both ready to display their capabilities. The Exhibition is more tentative than complete, blit it may lead the way to a more triumphant success by-and-bye. I am bold to ask your , suffrages on its behalf, not only for the good it may do in dispelling the fallacies to which I alluded at the outset, and for the pleasure it ’may afford, but also, in a subsidiary way, for the pecuniary help it may bring to the club, whose members just now have embarked upon a somewhat large expenditure in furnishing these premises. (Cheers.) The President : I have how to call upon Mr. Brown, the other trustee of the club, to say a few words. He is truly a working man, his shoulder is to the wheel every day, and he works as many hours as: most men in this city. I have, on behalf of the committee, asked him and Mr. Hutchison to state the objects of the exhibition, as our time has been so much taken up that we ourselves would he unable to do so.

Mr. Samdel Brown : My Lord, ladies, and gentlemen,—l need say but a very few words, for all that could be said as to my view of the matter has been vary well set -.forth by my brother trustee. The Exhibition is, as you will all see, very largely composed of works of art, but there are upstairs manufactures of some of the products of the colony, such as tallow, hides, flax, and notably timber. There is some beautiful cabinet work, which very well illustrates the suitability of New Zealand woods for decorative and cabinet purposes. I am sorry to say that machinists and engineers are not very well represented, and I regret this because their works should form by far the more important part of the Exhibition. I think this want may be due somewhat to this being the first exhibition of the sort, and the time to prepare anything has been short. . Another cause is I think owing to the rate of labor; I do not mean so much to saythat we pay too much for labor, but it is a fact that,workmen here ' have not the appliances or training to enable them to execute sufficient work for the rate of wages they receive. This question is very well understood both in. England and America, The means of cheapening labor is there one of the great questions of the day. Some years ago, at the Paris Exhibition, workmen were sent over by the various trades and guilds of England to examine any new machine or mode of working they might see, and report to their fellow workmen. It was found that the English were very much behind workmen of other countries, but since then great efforts have been made to raise their standard, and this movement has been largely encouraged by the British Gey eminent,'and by private individuals, notably Joseph Whitworth. After some years had elapsed, the last International Exhibition proved that English* workmen had vastly improved, and very high praise was passed upon their productions, by Mr. Thurston of America among others, and that might well be taken as a high tribute, because the Americans never admit that any one excels themselves. In America attempts to cheapen labor and production is encouraged ineveryshapeaudform,andas a result America issues more patents than all the other countries of the world put together. A man can obtain a patent there for 35 dollars, but here it costs £|o., Tbe consequence is that there is more machinery iu America than in any other country, and they can produce things at a much less cost. Here in this city you find that the finest finished tools, the most useful articles, and those useful, natty contrivances for household purposes are all of American workmanship, and this notwithstanding! that their rate of wages is much higher than it is in Great Britain, In a new colony like our own, containing untold wealth, both mineral and vegetable, the ’ question of enabling the bone and sinew of the land to produce work at the cheapest rate is one which affects every individual, and is of vital importance to tbe welfare of the, colony, for that only will enable it to compete with other nations, and to secure its future prosperity and greatness. (Loud cheers.) 1 . ' ; : r The President : Mr. Mayor, ladies, and gentlemen, it now becomes my duty to thank his Excellency for the encouragement: and assistance he has given us since a few took it into their heads to try to start a Working Men’s Club in Wellington. He has lent us bis countenance from the first, almost from the first week, and he has proved by his presence here to-day that he still sympathises with us. I have to ask indulgence for any shortcomings that may exist. Fault has already been found in tbe newspapers with what wo have done; but when it is remembered that we only took this building over from the contractor on Saturday week, I think I can with reason ask you to overlook any shortcomings there may be., (Cheers.) It is my hope, it is our hope—as Mr. Hutchison remarked—that this Exhibition will lead to greater things. If it should not, then a great part of our object in starting it would be lost. We hoped that the citizens, the Mayor and Corporation, or the Government, would take the matter up. * The working men have proved that they themselves can get up such an exhibition in a few weeks ; and it is certain that ail exhibition could be organised in Wellington that would bo worthy of this country. I have boon a resident iu the Australian colonies for years, and have seen exhibitions in Sydney and Melbourne. I have seen works of art collected together, and now there has been held at - Ballarat a Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, at which all the colonies were represented, and New Zealand largely. I hope that soon action will be taken in tins direction, and that our efforts will lead to something very much better than you have before you to day. (Cheers.) I will now ask his Excellency to declare the Exhibition open. - ■..:■■■ His Excellency, who was greeted with cheers, rose and said: Mr, Chairman,, Mr. Mayor, ladies, and gentlemen, —I can' assure you it was with the greatest pleasure that I accepted the invitation I received. to be present to-day for the double purpose of inaugurating thejnew building : which, are going to be taken possession of by the Wellington Working Men's Club, and also to declare open the Exhibition which has been instituted at their instigation, and carried out by their energy and perseverance. (Cheers). ■ What we see in this room and the little I bad the opportunity of noticing at a private view on Saturday convince mo that the attempt of the working men of Wellington has been marked with very great success. It has been a means of enabling many artists to exhibit: those pictures which we see around us, and which portray, though perhaps in, a;limited degree, the beauty and magnificence of some of the scenery of this country—l say in a limited

degree, because I believe it ia beyond the power of art to depict much of the scenery of Now Zealand (cheers); but the attempt which has been made in. many of these pictures would at any rate, I am convinced, if shown in London be the means of opening the eyes of many of the inhabitants of the old country to the beauties of New Zealand scenery. Bofore declaring this Exhibition open I wish to aay a few words on what I believe to be the more important duty of the day, the inauguration of the Working’s Men’s Club of Wellington. These institutions are, I believe, pregnant with good. I believe that they will furnish a want which has long been felt, and I trust; that if they aro properly and satisfactorily managed, they will be the msims of improving the social condition and habits of the working men of New Zealand. It is for this reason that X have, whenever opportunity has occurred, endeavored to the utmost in my power to back up and assist the exertions of those who wished to institute them. This-conntry of your adoption offers a brighter and, wider field to the working man than perhaps any other country in the world. (Applause.) When I say working man, I use the phrase in the limited sense in which it is generally understood; for I hold that every man who is worth his salt, who is fit to iive, is in one way or another a working ’ man. (Cheers.) One may possess largo estates, but if he performs his duty, looks after those estates, and considers the interests of his neighbors and the country around him, his time will be fully ; occupied. - One man may turn his attention to literature or to science, others may earn their

bread by the labor of their hands; but in many instances the labor of those who work with their heads is harder than that of those who work with their hands. But, sir, I will'pass from this mere digression, and turn to the subject of working men's clubs. This country offers bright and glorious opportunities to a workingman if he only properly avails himself of those placed before him. You have a free and liberal constitution ; you have a climate which enables every man to develop his full energy ; you have an almost unlimited demand for your labor, and you have wages which are as remunerative, or more remunerative, probably, than In any other place on the globe. The work- ; ing man of this country has everything open to him, and if he chooses to fit himself .for it ' 'there ia ho position to which he may not aspire; • but it is his duty, and it is a necessity that if he wishes to avail himself of these opportunities he should prepare himself. (Cheers), A marked feature in all these Australasian colonies is the desire and anxiety evinced by all classes to : encourage education, and; most

happy it fa that it should be so, because while ' great privileges are offered to you, while every office in the country fa open to you, it is necessary that those who hope to avail themselves of such opportunities should be prepared to perform the duties which would be involved. TTe see in all directions schools arising,and a free and a liberal education is offered to every child in the country. We see public " libraries, mechanics* institutes, and athemeums springing up in all parts of the country. These are all valuable and useful in their way. They enable the working man in his leisure hours to , improve those days which he spent at school, days which, unfortunately, are ; generally too short, because iu a country where everyone has to make his own way, the time during which a child can be left at school is usually so short that ho has literally only been able to learn how to learn. (Cheers.) In all instances, even when a man has gone through the whole system of the education of the upper classes in England; when he has gone through the private school, then the pnhlio school, and then the college, his real acquisition of knowledge begins after he has left his college. (Applause.) It fa by keeping npthe small stock of knowledge that yon'bave laid up in early days that yon are able to master the various questions which must come before the country. ‘ Gentlemen, all these means of education are valuable —most valuable in their way—but it always appeared to me that there was one branch of education which was wanting, that fa, .the moral and social training of ! the working men of the colonies, and X believe that if these clubs are properly earned out they will be the means of affording that education. I do not say and I do not believe that intoxication fa more prevalent in this country than iu others ; .on the contrary, it fa, I hold, otherwise, but at the same time there can be no doubt that there fa too much drinking in New Eeaiand. lam no believer in making a man sober by Act of Parliament. I do not believe in coercion of that kind j but I do believe In a kind of coercion—one which, depend npon it, is the moat effectual, and, that fa the coercion of example and the opinion of your; neighbors. (Loud cheers.) If these clubs are instituted with the determination of making them—if X may so term it—schools where men can learn good manners, and where they know that if they exceed in any degree in the way of drinking they will be looked down upon and condemned by their fellow-clubmen, they will, I am confident, have more effect in stopping excessive drinking than ;any other means. (Cheers.) It fa the nature of man to require relaxation and amusement, and we all know that the working man, especially the young working man who fa. not married, and has not a home, finds that, the lodgings he occupies are not, generally speaking, of a very tempting and comfortable character. He wants iu his leisure hours some place where ho cau go and find relaxation. He may in the fine weather walk about with his friends, but when the wet and cold weather comes on he -is generally tempted to visit the public-house. He may go there without, the slightest inclination or wish to drink, but at the same time be feels that be fa called upon to'have something'for what fa called “the good of the house.” Well, his neighbor does the same, and so it goes on from hour to hour and day to day ; and a man who began that course without any intention or wish to exceed, too often falls into temptation and becomes a drunkard. All this danger fa; removed in one of these clubs. No man is obliged to call for anything “ for the good of the house.” The house is his own as much as it fa anybody elso*B. He can come to; his club, enjoy himself, talk to his neighbor, he can play his game of draughts, billiards,; or .bagatelle, and go away without having anybody to thank, and without calling for auythingunless he chooses. I think that this,'together with creating an esprit de corps among ■ members of the club, will be the surest and most certain way of “ scotching ” that most detestable: vice of drinking. Remember that the working man in this country does not 'expect to remain always a workingman. There is no one in this colony who fa thoroughly sober, honest, and straightforward, ■ with a head upon hfa shoulders, who may not look forward to he someday or the other; an employer of labor instead of a himself. Look, I may say, at all the richest men* in" this colony, and ask how have .they l made their . wealth,' Hid they bring it out with them ? No. It has all resulted from their own energy and perseverance and their own thrift. This, instead of making working men jealous of the benefits which these their neighbors have derived, ought rather to act as an incentive to them to go and do likewise. Remember at all times that labor-and capital are very much like the Siamese twins, bound together by an indissoluble tie. If you cut that tie not one but both will linger and perish. Labor without capital is nothing; capital without labor cannot improve itself. Therefore I trust that many of those feelings which have been engendered in other countries, of antagonism and envy of labor towards capital, may not exist in this country. (Applause.) You are more favored here than we are in the old country, ■where from the nature of things the laboring man has not the same opportunity of rising that you have. Whenever you feel any little inclination to envy your rich neighbors, think rather that it only requires that you should thoroughly exert yourself to take, the same place which they have obtained. (Applause)., I am glad to hear that already the members of the club have so far increased tbat they have been obliged to seek new premises. , I see that, you are now 400 in number, and I hear the members are increasing from week to week. I trust that this may long continue. • I wish you every prosperity , and success, and I hope that some of the objects which I have shadowed forth may rcsnlt from the institution of this club. (Loud cheers). I congratulate you upon the mode in which you have chosen in the first instance to open these rooms; and I trust that it may be only a prelude to future and larger exhibitions. Gentlemen, X declare this Exhibition now open. (Renewed cheering). - His .Excellency then visited the ; various rooms in which the exhibits were arranged. The premises have been described fully, and ‘ it, will , now suffice to say that the principal exhibits are on the first floor. The clubroom

has been converted into a picture, gallery; the ' room at the rear, is the museum, and the bar ban become an imitation of the Falla 1 of Niagara. On the second floor the exhibits are generally articles manufactured in Wellington, and others .which have been imported and may bo, purchased at the shops and stores of the exhibitors. In the passages and on the land* inge.there are sundry exhibits, and every Inch

of space has been used, each, corner and nook having something-in it. ■ ; J • In referring to the museum the names of exhibitors will not be given at present, one reason being that all this information is set forth in a catalogue ; another is, that, a list of names would take up too much space ; and a third is that the exhibits are interesting in themselves and not on account of the persons to whom they belong. Further, it is certain that people who kindly lent articles, many of which are of high value, did so from a desire to further the objects of the club, and sot with the idea of publicly declaring themselves the owners of this 6c that relic or work of art. Exhibits are ticketed with numbers, and particulars are given in the catalogue ; but it is doubtful whether visitors will care to refer to page after page of; a book for the information they require, and the show would be much more attractive if the description of each article were affixed to it,! so that any one passing round the room would become possessed of the facts. If this were done there would nob bo so much crowding, as visitors would pass quickly, on from one place to another.

In tho room which may bo styled" the museum, or perhaps more correctly, the “ Curiosity Shop,” are many ancient and rare exhibits ; in fact, one does not often see such a collection of articles, interesting by reason of their age, their form, their material, tho place at which they were produced, or the person to whom they once belonged. There is much to prompt reflection, and' to awaken long and varied trains of thought. For a pair of stockings once worn by Queen Elizabeth sots one a-thinking of the days of the Spanish Armada, the time when Sir Walter Raleigh, returning from his adventurous voyage,; introduced to the English the tobacco leaf, which, has been such a blessing, or the reverse, to millions since. Possibly she wore these stockings when the elegant and graceful Essex stood high in courtly favor, or when Leicester or my oord Burleigh was one of her Majesty’s confidential advisers. However these stockings were certainly worn by good Queen Bess. Close to these are bottles that graced the toilet table of Mary Queen of Scots, and a white satin satchel worn by the Princess Charlotte on her wedding day. These are remanets of the fair ones of olden times that will set the 'fair ones of to-day thinking of the history they learnt at school, and of novels they have since read, in which Elizabeth of England and Mary of Scotland are prominent characters. Another royal relic may be interesting to needlewomen and nymphs of the laundry, but ib is not by any means so likely to inspire poetical feelings as Queen Bess’s finely-wrought stockings*—it is a pillow slip on which reposed the head of his late Majesty George IV. A collection of old Roman colas, many of which are greatly battered and much worn, as though they had been a long time in circulation, is interesting on account of the various forma and design of the pieces, as well as by reason of their age making them as it were signposts in the ancient history of the world. 1 On another table there is a book with this quaint title, Rational!* Physitxans Library, published in 1661, which gives much useful information as to the mode in which patients were treated in those days. Near this is a book containing a capital collection of franked envelopes and some autograph letters, one in the hand of the Duke of Wellington. ; This book is well worth a perusal, as it has the signature of not a few famous ia story, and must have been industriously collected by someone who perhaps would have made a capital stamp collector.. People now a days pay for ■ their penny stamp instead of begging for franks. One of the most attractive exhibits is an Esquimaux sledge-dog, who looks wonderfully life-like as be reclines in his glass, case. This dog has a history:—Bora on board Captain Penny’s ship Lady Franklin in July, 1850, he, when four months old, was put in a sledge, and travelled altogether 2000 miles in search of Sir John Franklin. In one journey this dog was leader of the team, and travelled 700 miles, during which both dogs and men ; were nearly starved, and one of the team had to be killed to feed the rest. Dying on the! 28th February, 1851, the animal had a short but very eventful career. Turning to NewjZealand history, a document as follows shows what the circulating medium was in Wellington in 1845'

River Halt, New Zealand. On presentation of twenty of these notes I promise to paj bearer the sum of five shillings in Government debentures.

A Samoan dagger, made out of a human bone, fa an ugly looking weapon. Another implement of war fa an iron sphere, weighing 641b5., popularly known as “ Cary’s cap nonball,” This was found, so it fa said, many feet from the surface iu the quarry now being worked beyond Oriental Bay, and has (been named after Mr. Cary, who presented it to the club. Like the fly in atri'ser, the wonder fa how it ever got there—that is, iu the hillside. Somebody says it was fired by Captain Cook, but in those days ships did not carry such heavy metal. Doubtless it was fired from one of her Majesty’s ships at big gun practice. The fractured atoms of an Armstrong shell show the effect of the powder when exploding. Starting at one end,of the room, and walking round it, the following, among many other things, meet the eye. The Book of Psalms hearing the published date of 1682; then one of the first silver thimbles lever made at least, so it fa styled ; j the relics of royalty previously referred toj; a Chinese sword, the scabbard of which is formed of coins cunningly strung together; a sample of Taranaki ironsand, Roman, ancient English, and rare modern coins ; coins of the reign of James L and Charles II; part of a wasp’s nest. Then someone has discovered the veritable connecting link, not between a monkey and a man, but that which joins the animal and vegetable kingdom, it being a root of ifern growing out of the head of a grub. Botanists and naturalists, see to' this. There ; are four well-painted heads on some curiously worked material, which ,is stated to have formed a part of one ■ of King Charles the Second’s bannersl A very beautiful desk composed of inlaid woodwork is a monument to; the patience and skilful manipulation of the maker, there being in it no less than 35,000 pieces, which are so exactly- fitted as to have the: appearance of being the natural grain. Some, queer-looking Chinese idols are samples of skilful work ; and cushion covers worked in India with gold arid silver lace are said to be of considerable age and value. Eor ugliness and ungainliness, a wooden Maori doll fa J far in advance of Chinese, Indian, or any other figures ; but it is quaintly Carved, and has great merit in the eyes of those who understand the points of such playthings. A sampler J 73 years old, worked in silk, fa decidedly a curio, and a rare picture close by is a small painting of a slave, by Hogarth. Near this is some lava from Mount Vesuvius, a Turkish turban made of Damascus silk, some delicate filagree work made in Jerusalem and some at Rome. A few grains of mummy wheat from an Egyptian pyramid is near a piece of the Prince of Wales’s wedding cake. An ancient mechanic’s instructor fa styled, “The Builders’ Jewel; or, the Youth’s Instructor and Workman’s Remembrancer;” the publishing date being 1741. .A Russian tobacco pot and a Russian housewife are not beauties; the former being plain, and the latter, worked in gaudy colors by a fair maid of Archangel, does not show much taste. Specimens of quartz con-: taining gold and pyrites and a piece of melted gold from the mine of the Phoenix Company, Collingwood, represent the auriferous treasures of the colony, which as might be expected in a non-mining district, do not often appear Iri the catalogue. • Stucco from the Mosque of Omar, Jerusalem; a piece of Mosaic pavement from the ruins of Pompeii, have some attractiveness to the thoughtfully disposed : each would make' a text for a sermon. . ■ : An elegant exhibit fa a case of Queensland birds, many of which have wonderfully brilliant plumage, the colors being brighter than one would think could be possible. : The arrangement of the different specimens is graceful, and the whole makes a beautiful picture. A card gives the names. ’ The room which should be named “ Utility , contains several exhibits of imported goods and others made in Wellington, many of the latter being excellent specimens of handicraft. Mr. R. Gardiner has a case of (ironmongery which is'so arranged as to present : quite a pretty appearance, the things looking bright, and many mode for use are highly, ornamental. There is one formidable weapon called a magazine gun, capable of discharging 26 rounds of ball cartridge without being reloaded, a sort of weapon one would like to have if a man was chasing you with a stick, A very nice arrangement, mysterious withal," is this crystal coffeepot, and there fa a gnillotino-like bread knife. There are several compact cooking, fixings, which would gladden the heart of an amateur cook contending with a bad range and a smoky chimney when someone was coming to dinner. A case of candles by Kitchen and Sons, of the Adelaide-road, is really pretty, theiio being many - shades of color and shapes, the whole looking too good to bum, .Wanganui maker, Whitney, displays a nnmhar of bottles of chutney,-which, judging by the outside, should bo good. Curtis and Co, have on view » good collection of lollies) and S. S.

Griffiths has filled a case with well-baked biscuits, dainty looking sweetmeats, and birds, nests made of spun sugar that will cause children to go home and beg for amall change. Mr. E.- H. Crease has stock for a miniature gro;er’s shop artistically grouped and surmounted with packets of the famous coffee. The boot manufacturers have a good show, the relative merits of the goods being, however, a thing only to be correctly ascertained by men of the last on inspection, or by the public on actual trial. Mr. E. H. Hunt has very many varieties. Mr. Pallant shows few in number, but some are got up in capital style. Mr. Warcup has a pair of cork sole shooting boots, watertight,'" made with great neatness, and weighing 22 - ounces the pair. Austin and Jacob have childrens* and ladies* fancy boots. Mr. R. Barrett has capital specimens of printing and lithography, and there is on view a lithographic press at work. Messrs. Lyon and Blair have ; sent a show case containing some admirable specimens of book binding in Russian leather, and- also a strong backed merchant’s ledger. They are all highly creditable, and show what this firm can do. Mr. V. Jfalkner has in this room a cunning contrivance called, a’nail gun, designed for driving nails into flooring boards without making a man stoop.. The affair is about 3ft. 6in. high, and a nail being put in at the top it slides down to the floor, and is driven home by one blow, applied by a handle, which is worked rapidly and easily. The invention is ingenious. Mr. Ohas. A. Fairlie has one of thoss very clever inventions, an electric pen, and; kindly gave many illustrations of the manner in which it is used. A short time ago a description of this pen was published in the Times; but in a future issue something more will be said of^it.Mr. Hayes exhibits an electric billiard marker, a clever piece of mechanism, by means of which' persons playing a game can score for themselves, by simply touching keys on the edge of the table, the figures being shown on a large dial hung on the wall.; Mr. McDonald, of Manners-street, has sent a gracefully designed wedding .cake, that possibly may tempt some timid bachelor to pop the question sooner than-he thought.he dare do: , At the end of the passage on the first'floorthe space which will be occupied by the bar now Contains a well-designed model of the FALLS OF NIAGARA, the handiwork of Messrs. G-. Woodward and Gr. Franklin, of the Government bookbinding department., It ia much on the same plan as. one they constructed at the ■ Government - Printing Office last Christmas, when that es- ‘ tablishment was very tastefully decorated. The falls are well made of rockworfc, and there is an ample flow of water. The effect is very good, and at night it looked very natural, the effect being greatly added to, by a well painted moonlight, scene oyer the falls. Tho moon shines forth, and the Dog Island light_ ia illuminated. Messrs. Woodward and Franklin deserve special thanks for the trouble they have taken with this exhibit, and for the skill they have displayed. THE PICTURE GALLERY. t Commencing at No. 1, we meet with an old friend that has been in the colony some time,and has appearedin previous exhibitions. Itiaabeautiful painting, “ Tho Alchemist,” executed in oils by Henry Barraud. .‘On the opposite side' of the room, above the door, is an oil painting of a greyhound, by Mr. J, McDuff, who has materially added to the exhibits ; the name of the picture does not appear to be given.; We may mention in passing that we believe a little re-arrangement of the pictures was found necessary almost at the last moment, and this will account for some not appearing in consecutive numbers. No. 3 is a water-color copy, by Miss Cook, of Mr. Gully’s picture of Milford Sound, that was exhibited here some time since. It is very cleverly done, and shows great care and talent; some original paintings by the same artist will be looked for with great interest. A nice little study in pencil of a “Gnarled Oak,” by Mr. Rising, is near, and then we come to an oil painting by Mr. A. S. Akan, representing a “Maori warscouting party." This picture is very skilfully treated, and will without doubt be' fully appreciated by those who were unfortunately familiar with such scenes. A well-executed oil painting (a group of children), exhibited by Mr. S. D. Parnell, of Ghuznee-street, appears to'have been somewhat spoiled in the varnishing. Next is one of Mr. Rawson’s water - color paintings a view of Mount Egmont-—which -is remarkable for its soft tinting and atmospheric effect, as are all of Mr. Rawsou’s pictures. This one, though not perhaps the best in the room by the same artist, is a very pleasing picture. The line of light in this appears a little harsh, but in former sketches of the same place it was not so. No. 8—“ The Temptation on the Mount ’’ —is a nicely-executed drawing in crayon by Mr. Andrew Dang,' who also exhibits others of a similar kind. Mr. Graham shows the photographs of the Municipal delegates. These were from the studio of Messrs. Wrigglesworth and Biuns, of Wellington, , the lettering and bordering being the work of Mr. B. Brandon. The drawing for the seal of the Corporation of Wellington is by Mr. Graham; the design is good, but a little better acquaintance with Heraldry will enable the artist to overcome some of the difficulties in future compositions. An oleograph (No. 10), the “ Italian Girl,” is lent by Mr. Jacobs, of the Athemeum Bazaar., The next in order isau oil painting by Mir. E. Brandon, representing a view in Milford Sound. This ia perhaps the best of Mr. Brandon's pictures in oil that ho has exhibited. The view is a faithful representation, and has been recognised by many of those who have visited the Sound. Mr. C. D. Barraud contributes a pretty water-color view of “ Morning” on Lake Tanpo. Mr. Gully's picture comes next. It'is ,a view of -Mount Emslaw, at the head of Lake Wakatipn. This mountain is in perpetual snow, and is without doubt one of the grandest in the South. .This view, like some of Mr. Rawson’s and other artists representing scenes in the South Island and on the West Coast, will' tend to prove what has been often said by travellers, that New Zealand mountain scenery may claim comparison in grandeur with that of any part of the world. The representation of Mount Ernslaw is very correct. It is a splendid view, and has been most successfully treated by ;Mr. Gully. The foliage and depth of coloring in the foreground is worthy of the artist, arid it would well repay a good study by many of our local amateurs. It is a magnificent picture,; and will without doubt be greatly admired by visitors to the Exhibition. Mr. Burgess furnishes a domestic scene at “ Oakleigh,” Lower Hutt. The coloring is pleasing, but. the drawing is perhaps a little faulty in some respects. Mr. J. Gibb gives an oil painting, a “ Study, of Ferns.” This is not so well treated as some others that-Mr. Gibb is exhibiting, which will be noted as we proceed. Mount Cook, by Mr. Bawson, is a pleasing picture alike for its softness and delicacy of tints. Mr. Parnell is again to the fore with a crayon study of a head, while Mr. Lang shows one of his admirably executed copies in- chalk ; indeed it would be very difficult were it not so stated to detect that this was a copy from an engraving. In, this line certainly Mr. Lang deserves special praise. A view of the new reservoir, just recently constructed here, is contributed by Master 0. A. H. Crombie. The sketch is in water colors, and will no- doubt be at once recognised by those who have spent a pleasant afternoon in visiting, that loality. It shows talent, and the young arti<t should persevere in sketching from nature. By this means he will learn to avoid a little of the stiffness exhibited in the sketch. The same remarks apply to No. 21, an oil painting of “ A Waterfall.” We have next a very cleverly executed copy in crayons, “Les Ohevriere des Abnzzes,” by Mrs. Jordan, and below we find a pen and ink portrait of the lato Sir Donald McLean, by _ Mr. A. Koch. The likeness is very good, and it is to be regretted that this artist has not favored the Exhibition with other specimens of his skill. A prize oil painting of “ Fruit,” exhibited by Mr, Logan, next claims attention. This, of its kind, is the best in the room, and to those who, are fond of painting “ fruit pieces” this will well repay a careful study. : The rich bloom on the peaches, 'and the clear ' transparency of the white grapes are especially good. “ The Sheep Pen,” an oleograph exhibited by Mr, , is well worthy of inspection. No. 27 is a water color from the pencil of Mr. B. G. Palmer, of Foxtou ; the scene represents a view of the Kaiwarra Gorge, and is a very capital study (I of our beautiful ; foliage. “The Coast Scene,” by Mr. F. Barraud, is an extremly good representation of the locality. ! A water color by Mr. E. Brandon next claims attention. The pie-, ture represents a view in Milford Sound at sunset, looking towards the entrance from Harrison’s cove, “Tho Hoad of Glen Coy,” a Highland moor scone, from tho brush of Mr.O. F° Stuart, is an admirably executed work. Tho locality-chosen is one of tho most difficult it would be possible for a painter to select, but it bos received full justice at tho hands of that very able artist. This is perhaps not the most pleasing picture, but it-must,be.awarded the chief place for admirable execution and careful study. No. 31 in an oil painting of the “ Steamship Kawea leaving Lyttelton Heads.” This view will be readily and easily recognised by

many of the visitors, who have no doubt had to brave the evils of sea sickness ou matters of business or pleasure; the picture is one that commands attention, and is a “ taking ' picture, though ’ in the treatment a little more depth of color ' in the nearest part of the sea would have afforded variation and improved the general effect.. A “View on the'West Coast Hoad, Upper Wairaakariri,” by 0. D. Barraud, is a spirited sketch; and one that well shows the land of travelling in that country.; tlw foliage is^ carefully depicted, and is the beat picture exhibited by that localartist.' Mr. Rawson’s sketch of “Needle Point, Milford . Sound,”'is a faithful representation of the place ; in this picture the Stirling Falls are shown. They are on the left side of, the Sound as thertraveller^- progresses onwards, and by those who have visited the Sound this will be at once recognisable. The subject, however, would have borne stronger color than the. artist has allowed. “The Entrance to the Botanical Gardens,’* Riode Janiero, by Mr. 0. D. Barraud, is worthy of inspection. No. 35 will recall to our minds a gallant old defender, “Von Tempsky, Captain of the Bangers.” This sketch executed by him,' shows a portion of the celebrated “ March of General Chute.” The [Friendlies • are leading, and noted celebrities, and such as “ The Wife of the Guide” and “Bloody Mary” being distinguishable, while Dr. Featherston and General Chute are apparently standing on one side surveying the march. The artist himself is represented as leading on his gallant band of Forest Rangers. ' This picture was sent to William Fox, Esq. by the gallant Von Tempsky shortly' before his death. A very good oleograph, “ A Cattle Scene,” is exhibited by Mr. Berdell. Mr. Jack exhibits a chromo. No. 38, and Mr. Rising, “ A Study of Fruit,” in water: colors. Mrs. Jordan’s “ Titian’s' Daughter” is an excellent copy in-crayons, and is very well executed. 41 is remarkable as the “ Happy Home of ah Old Identity,” a good likeness of “the old identity” being on the. right of the picture. The sketch itself is quaint, but room for improvement is perceptible in the perspective. Mr. Noel Barraud sends a very pleasing sketch in water colors of Kereru, in Hawke’s Bay. This is a very nicely tohed picture, the lights and shades being carefully preserved. A picture in water colors, by Perrigal, R.S.A., is a little gem'in its way, and by many who remember the English scenery this will bo appreciated. It is exhibited by Mr. J. Stevenson, of the firm of Stevenson and Stuart of this city. Passing an engraving, “Raising the May Pole,” lent by Mr. Moss, we have a view in oils (by Mr. F, Bracley) of Wellington in 1841. This is a copy from a sketch made by Major Heaphy, who then held the position of Surveyor to ’ the New Zealand Company. ’ The picture is interesting from old remembrances, but the coloring is scarcely natural. The only water color in the Exhibition by Mr Gibbs, is that of “ The Opening of the Boating Season on the Avon, in Christchurch, Canterbury,” The view is a pleasing one, but the work does not come up to what that artist has executed in oils, such as for instance the next one on the list “A Mountain Pass on the West Coast. Road.” It is difficult to see this picture to advantage in daylight, and it is perhaps to be regretted that a better position could not be found for it.

This must conclude our notice of the picture gallery for to-day; it will be continued tomorrow.

In the evening the telegraph was kept busily at work transmitting messages of more or less importance between the first and second floors, the operators being Mr, Lucas and Mr. Boyne. Messages were charged for as usual, and some revenue was derived from this source, people in many instances being thoroughly hoaxed ; in fact' it was an imitation of that arch imposition perpetrated at fancy fairs, when one has to pay 2s. 6d. for an envelope with two lines of poetry, or some gentle badinage. For instance, one grave and mercantile man paid for “ I can do a beer ; canyon?” The committee have taken due precautions against fire, and last night the members of the Wellington Brigade, who were on volunteer duty, had a hose led into the building ready for use should an alarm be given. During the evening-members of the City Rifle Band played selections, and deserve thanks for their courtesy in doing so gratis. Mr. Elling and others presided at the piano. For some hours the rooms were crowded, and the attendance was quite up to the expectations of the committee, the money taken at the doors being nearly £4O. Want of space renders it necessary to curtail our notice of the exhibits, and hence many articles which are highly deserving of honorable mention : have not been alluded to. : This will be made up for in the future. In conclusion, thanks are tendered to the manager and members of the .committee for information courteously afforded.