THE WELLINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5401, 19 July 1878, Page 6

THE WELLINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

FIXE ARTS AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. On Monday, July Ist, 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. On Saturday he had a private view of the rooms in their then state of preparation. By Monday 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 soeond prize in the ait 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 bis Worship tho Mayor of -Wellington. The chair was taken by tho President, on .whose right wore the Governor and the Hon, Colonel Whitmore, C. 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. ICrull, German Consul, Capt. Mclntyre, UuitedStates Consul, the Hon. I)r. Pollen, J1.1T., Mr. G. Hunter, M.H.H., and a number of the leading members of the mercantile community. There were not many ladies in the hall, an idea that there would bo a great crush having doubtless tended to. keep them hway. However, there was no crowding in tho 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 haU-boliday in the Government offices, but this was not agreed to, although officers who wished to bo 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 congratulato the promoters of the association and the members of it upon the very successful manner iu which they have inaugurated the opening of their new club buildings.- I trust that this exhibition may be tho 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 bis usmd kindness, acceded to the request

made to him to do so. (Queers.) 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, ' The President : I beg to call upon Mr. Hutchison, as a trustee of the club, to state the objects, tor 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 thy numerous articles, many of them rich and rare,, gathered together in these premises ; while the exhibits, ns they now appear before you, 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 pre-

valent, 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 be useful, and that therefore it becomes Gradgrinds, and your other men o f * 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 [OftheSic faculty—the enjoyment, for example, of nature and nature’s grandeur, the sua in his ghiry, and the moon iu 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 hkill which effectually lifts their labor above mere rude mechanism, and in many instmees fills and informs it with beauty, and even with a species of creative design. This eeitbetic 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 ont 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 all chameleons. Not only do our social and family relationships influence us for good or evil, as Tennyson has so finely stated it for ns— Yet It shall be; thou shalt lower-to his level day by day, What Is fine within thee growing coarse to sympathise . with clay. • As tho 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, bat 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. Purity of taste, and love of the beautiful, should be diffused throughout the community^—diffused not only in its subtle enjoyment for the few, but in its more substantive application for the many. I bold that ffiithesie taste should be taught in our' schools, fostered in our several -homes, and everywhere invoked as an adornment and a solace of daily life. After noble purpose and family affection, no means more effectual whereby to rise above the sensual and the commonplace than the cultivation of the true and tbs 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 oar grand means of instruction and international interconrse. 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 onr citizens of wealth and influence the way to set about something larger and better at a future day. Wbyshould Wellington not be made thetheatre of a great Australasian Exhibition ? (Cheers,). A combination of the useful and the beautiful is no new thing. It is, indeed, old ns 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; tho Greeks and Homans practised it. A Greek temple or an Etruscan vase is but the best adaptation of means, to an end—lines of grace evolved oat 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 bis production of marvels of ceramic beauty, which are tho glory of this plastic art. Wedgwood’s life at Buralem was another brave struggle for the union of ..the beautiful with the useful iu this same art. These men tried one experiment after another—unbefrieaded and nnhelped, amid poverty and room—until, by brains and indomitable perseverance, they became masters of thesituation, and then the world fawned npon them; for the world, which too often fails to appreciate merit, is never unable to appreciate success. As I have drifted somehow among pottery,lmay perhapsbest illustrate tho exact nature of what I mean in a union of the useful and. the beautiful by an example from this branch of art. Take 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 , qugainly thing. , Set beside it tho vessel constructed for similar domestic.purposes in a country -which wc 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 tho mouth is small It requires handles, and these mufet not.be liable to fracture, therefore they are cunningly attached in tho deep and graceful curve of tho throat, where they are safe from sudden blows. Such is the difference between the two, and the truth, I 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 inhibition; the catalogue in process of preparatien and the local newspapers must do that. This room is chiefly devoted to pictures We have none of the groat masters, either ancient or modern; our reipote position on tho globe forbids any such acquisitions. But we have much that is excellent, anymore that is very hopeful in drawings by a number of our own colonists—Mr. Barraud, Mr. Brandou, Mr. Bawson, Mr. Gibb, and others, among whom I may venture to say there is a young 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 wo lead. The truth is illustrated by the pictures in this Exhibition. The conformation of our island home makes the aca—“the inviolate sea”—the most striking and impressive of visions to the most of ns; 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 was never heard. Not buglo of the forest boe. The adjoining room is devoted to curiosities, articles of vertu, a fine collection of New Zea land 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, but 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 tho 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 now 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 be unable to do so.

Mr. Samuel 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 very well -set forth by my brother trustee. The Exhibition is, as yon 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 x 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 thefirstexhibitionof 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 say that 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 tho 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 Government, and by private individuals, notably Jo-eph Whitworth. After some years had elapsed, the last International Exhibition proved that English workmen had vastly improved, and very high praise was passed npon 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 ineveryshapeandform,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 33 dollars, but here it costs £lO. The. consequence is that there is more machinery in 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 artio'es, 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 the 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.) Tho President Mr. Mayor, ladies, and gentlemen, it now becomes my duty to thank his Excellency for the encouragement and assistance he has given ns since a few took it into their heads to try to start a Working Men’s Club in Wellington. He has lent us his countenance from the first, almost from the first week, and ho has proved by his presence here to-day that be still sympathises with us. I have to ask indulgence for any shortcomings that may exist. Fault has already been found in the newspapers with what we have dona; bufwhen it is remembered that we only took this building over from the contractor on Saturday week, 1 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 tho 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 an exhibition could be organised in Wellington that would be worthy of this country. I have been 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 this direction, and that onr 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,—l 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 the new building which are going to bo 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 had the opportunity of noticing at a private view on Saturday convince me 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 wo see around us, and which portray, though" perhaps in a limited degree, tho beauty and magnificence of some of the scenery of this country—l say In a limited degree, because I believe it is beyond the power of art to depict much of the scenery of • Newgeaiaud (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. Before declaring this Exhibition open I wish to say a few words on what X believe to be the more important duty of the dav, 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 are properly aud satisfactorily managed, they will be the means of improving the social condition and habits of the workiog men of New Zealand. It is for this reason that I have, whenever opportunity has occurred, endeavored to the utmost in my power to back up and assist the exertions of thoso who wished to institute them. This country 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 wo>-k----ing map, I use tho phraso 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 live, is in one way or another a working man. (Cheers.) One may possess large estates, but if he performs his duty, looks after those estates, aud considers the interests of his neighbors and the country around him, his time will be fully occupied. One man may turn Ida attention to literature or to science, others majf 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, aud turn to the subject of working men’s clubs. This country offers bright and 'glorious opportunities to a working man if he only properly avails himself of thoso 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 yau have wages which are as remunerative, or more remunerative, probably, than in any other place on the globe. The working man of this country has everything open to him, and if he chooses to fit himself tor it there is no position to which he may not aspire; but it is his duty, and it is a necessity that if ho wishes to avail himself mf 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 is that it should be so, because while' great privileges are offered to you, while every office in the country is open to you, it is necessary that thoso who, hope to avail tlieiuselves of such opportunities should be prepared to perform the duties which would be involved. We see in ail directions schools arising,ahdafreeandaliberaleducation is offered to every child in the country. Wo 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 every one has to make his own way, the time during which a child can be left at school is usually so short that ho has Hterally 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 public school, and then the college, his real acquisition of knowledge begins after he has left his college. (Applause.) It is by keeping up the small stock of knowledge that you have laid up in early days that you are able to master the various questions which must come before the country. Gentlemen, all these means of education are valuable —most valuable iu their way—but it always appeared to me that there was one branch of education which was wanting, that is, the moral and social training of tho working men of the colonies, and X believe that if these clubs.-'are properly carried out they will be the means of affording that education. Xdo not say and I do not believe that intoxication is more prevalent in this country than in others ; on the contrary, it is, I hold, otherwise, but at the same'time there can bo no doubt that there is too much drinking in New Zealand. lam no believer iu making a man sober by Act of Parliament. I do not believe in coercion of that kind ; but I do believe in a kind of coercion—one-which, depend upon it, is the most effectual, and that is the coercion of example and the opinion of your neighbors. (Loud cheers.) ■- If these clubs are instituted with the determination of making them—if I may so term it—schools where men can learn good manners, aud whore 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 is the nature of man to require relaxation aud amusement, and we all know that the working man, ■ especially the young working. man who is not married, and has not a home, finds that the lodgings lie occupies are not, generally speaking, of a very tempting and comfortable character. He wants in his leisure hours some place where he can go .and find relaxation. He may in the fine weather walk about with his friends, but when the wet aud 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 he feels that he is called upon to have something for what is called “ the good of the house."' Well, his neighbor does the same, and so it goes on from hour to hour aud day to day ; and a man who began that coarse without any intention or wish to exceed, too often falls into temptation and becomes a drunkard. All this danger is 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 is anybody else’s. 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 any-' body to thank, and without calling for anything unless he chooses, I think that this, together with creating an esprit do 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 working man. There is no one- in .this colony who is thoroughly sober, honest," and straightforward, with a head upon his shoulders, who may not look forward to be someday or the other an employer of labor instead of a laborer himself. Look, I may say, at all the richest men in this colony, and ask how h.ave they made their wealth. Did they bring it out with them? No. It has ail 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 lie. If you ent 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 iu other countries, of antagonism and envy of labor towards capital, may not exist in this country. (Applause.) You are more favored hero than we are in the old country, where from the nature of things the laboring man has not the same opportunity of rising that yon have. Whenever you feel any little inclination to envy yonr 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 that they have been obliged to seek new premises. I see that you are now 100 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 result from iho 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 maybe only a prelude to future and larger exhibitions. Gentlemen, I 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 arc on the first floor. The olubroom has been converted into a picture gallery; the room at the rear is the museum', and the bar has become an imitation of the Falls of Niagara. On the second floor the exhibits are generally articles manufactured in Wellington, and others which have been imported and may be purchased at the shops and stores of the exhibitors. In the passages and on the landings there are sundry exhibits, and every inch of space has been used, each corner and nook having something in it. la 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 aro_ 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 not with the idea of publicly declaring themselves the owners of this or 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 auy one passing round.the room would become possessed of the facts. ’ If this were done there would not be so much crowding, as visitors would pass quickly on from one place to another. JN THE CURIOSITY SHOP. , In the room which may be 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, the place at which they were produced, or the person to whom they once belonged. There is ranch to prompt- reflection, and to awaken long and varied trains of thought. "For instance, a pair of stockings once worn by Queen Elizabeth sets one a-thinking of the days of the Spanish Armada, the time wlipn 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 ..ord Burlobdi 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 road, 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 it 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 coins, many of which are greatly battered and much worn, as though they had been along time in circulation, is interesting on account of the various forms 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. On another table there is a book with this quaint title. Rationale Phvsitians 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 hook is well worth a perusal, as it has the signature of not a few famous in 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 he reclines in his glass ease. This dog has a history;—Born on board Captain Penny’s ship Lady Franklin in July, 1850, he, wiien four months old, was put in a sledge, and travelled altogether 2000 miles in search of Sir John Franklin. In one journey this d»g 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 teed the rest. Dying on the 28th February, 1851, the animal had a short but very eventful career. Turning to New Zealand history, a document as. follows shows what the circulating medium was in Wellington in 1845 ,

Kivor Hutt, New Zealand. On presentation of twenty of these notes I promise to pay bearer the sum of five shillings in Government debentures.

A Samoan dagger, made out of a human hone, is an ugly looking weapon. Another implement of war is an iron sphere, weighing 641b5., popularly known as “ Cary's cannonball.” This was found, so it is said, many feet from the surface in the quarry now being worked beyond Oriental Bay, aud has been .named after Mr. Cary, who presented it to tlie club. Like the fly in amber, the wonder is how it ever got there—that is, in 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 tlie effect of tlie 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 bearing the published date of 1682 ; then one of the first silver thimbles ever made —at least, so it is styled ; the relics of royalty previously referred to ; a Chinese' sword, the scabbard of which is formed of coins cunniugly strung together; a sample of Taranaki ironsand; Roman, ancient English, and rare modern coins ; coins of the reign of James I. and Charles II ; part of a wasp's nest. Then someone has discovered the veritable connecting Unit, not between a monkey and a man, but that which joins the animal and vegetable kingdom, it being a root of fern 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 banners, 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 iu India with gold and silver iace are said to be of considerable age aud value. For ugliness and ungainliuess, a wooden Maori doll is far in advance of Chinese, Indian, or any other figures ; but it is quaintly carved, and has great merit iu the eyes of those who understand the points of snob playthings. A sampler 173 years old, worked in silk, is 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 instructqr is styled, “ The Builders’ Jewel; or, the Youth’s Instructor and Workman’s Remembrancer;” tlie 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 containing 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 in 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.

_Au elegant exhibit ia a ease 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 dying confessions of tho Maungatapu murderers Burgess and Kelly, which were handed by the sheriff of Nelson to Messrs. Nation and Luokie, proprietors of the Colonist, are exhibits calculated to make sensationalmongers highly gratified ; bat they are not pleasant to the eye of most, yet they are certainly curiosities and well worth preserving. A printed letter by JDNIO3 Zealandi, dated 3rd November, 1845, is most severe on Governor Fitzroy. One paragraph will suffice to show this :—“All your acts, sir, have been illegal since this devoted colony came under your care, and yon have not hesitated to add insult to deceit.”

An ancient book published in 1607, styled “The Sinners’ Glass, with Divers Meditations,” gives this homily at the page which chances to he open :—Thee ought to. desire, therefore, a separation of the mindo from the swarrne of earthly delights and desires, and then driving out from the inward of tlie heart the commotions of unlawful imaginations and thoughts wee should labor with diligence to our heavenly country for tho lovo of eternal rest.”

A valuable and elegant exhibit !a a claret jug of native Cashmere work, of solid silver, inlaid with pure Mohur gold, a facsimile of one

presented by his Highness the Maharajah of Cashmere»to his Royal Highness the Prinoo of Wales. The design is chaste ;ui(l the workmanship of a high class. Some well-arranged seaweed makes -up three pleasing pictures. Round the walls are two collections of ferns.- One from'Westport is very complete, and has been greatly admired by competent, judges, who pronounce it to bo unusually good and extensive. A Wellington collection has also been generally praised. A ease of stuffed New Zealand birds contains some creditable specimens of the taxidermist’s aft by Mr. Capper. Two tiny humming birds from Rio do Janioro.are little treasures of beautiful plumage. Some well-cut crosses and other ornaments - iu pawai shell show what pretty things can bo made with this many-hned material. A ta-.teful piece of waxwork, by Mrs. Powne, is exhibited. The design is a cross, witli a passion flower, roses, and ferns, the whole being pure white, and delicately executed. THE UTILITY ROOM. - The room which should be named “Utility” contains several exhibits of imported goods and others mads in Wellington, many of the latter being excellent specimens of handicraft. Mr. B. Gardiner lias a case of ironmongery which is so arranged as' to present quite a pretty appearance, tlie tilings looking bright, aud many made 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-the crystal coffeepot, and there is a gnillotine-lijce 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, there being many shades of color and shapes, the whole looking too good to burn. A Wanganui maker, Whitney, displays a number of bottles of chutney, which, judging by the outside, should be good. Curtis and Co. have on view a good collection of lollies, and S. S. Griffiths has filled a case with -well-baked biscuits, dainty looking sweetmeats, aud birds, nests made of spun sugar that will causa children to go home arid beg for small change. Mr. E. H. Crease has stock for a miniature gro :er’s shop artistically grouped and surmounted with- packets of the famous coffee. Tlie 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) Pallaut shows few in number, but some are got up in capital style. Mr. Waroup has a pair of cork sole shooting boots, watertights, made with great neatness, aud weighing 22 ounces the pair. Austin and Jacob' have childrens’ and ladies’ fancy boots. Mr. R-. Burrett has capital specimens of printing aud lithography, aud 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. Falkner 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 homo bv one blow, applied by a handle, which is worked rapidly and easily. The invention is ingenious. 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 tlie 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.

Mr. Alexander Robertson, Nelson, exhibits some pieces of flax dyed in brilliant colors. Mr. R. Martin, of Manners-street, has sent handsome embossed brass centrepieces for ceilings, also wall pieces and a sample of unusually rich paperhanging. A handy ohaffqutter, which is light and well designed, is exhibited by Mr. Chew, who also shows a bread knife working in a frame fixed to a wooden plate. Messrs. Guthrie and Larnaoh have on view, tubs, a bucket, a churn, and a cheese-mould, made at their works in Dunedin. They are strong and well put together. There is 1 , a clever hit of work by Mr. Victor Cltfrk, who has engraved the Lord’s prayer on a threepenny-piece. Messrs. Lyon and Blair show excellent specimens of engraving, including a debenture, share certificate, and bill-heads. An old and curious engraving representing “ A corroboree or dance of natives of New .South Wales, New Holland,” has attracted a good deal of attention. The engraving was executed some 35 years ago by a ticket-of-leave convict, who was, then engaged as a shepherd, from a piece of copper taken from an old ship which was wrecked about that period. It is exhibited by- Mr. O. Gillespie, of Tinakori-road. There has been a fair demand tor pictures of •ferns obtained by tho “ nature process,” and worked off in tho room at Mr. Barrett’s lithographic press. These are sold, the proceeds going to the funds of the Exhibition. At tho head of the stairs on the second floor there are several old newspapers, some published in New Zealand, and these have been pretty well scanned by visitors. An automaton bird, which sings iu a natural aud melodious manner, has proved very attractive, and is also exhibited by Mr. Gillespie. The electric pen worked by Mr. Fairlic has been inspected by a great many people, who have, <as a rule, pronounced a verdict in its favor. Some of the specimens of work executed are excellent, etchings of landscapes, birds, and animals being truly drawn, and samples of plain and ornamental writing show what good manuscript an expert penman can produce with it. The trials made in tho room do not prove how many copies can be obtained from one sheet, but many hundreds can be thrown off, and shine say thousands, if great care be used. Those who have witnessed this novel mode of writing will be prepared to commend the electric pen as an ingenious invention which is likely to be generally used ere long. It takes but a few days to become accustomed to the heavy pen, and to make the down and up strokes at a speed that will enable the pen, or, more correctly speaking, needle, to perforate the paper with sufficient regularity to enable a clear copy to be taken. Tho coat of the battery, pen, printer, &0., is only £8 in England, a price that seems low for so complete a turn-out.

THE FURNITURE ROOM Has in it things that would please those whom auctioneers refer to as “ young people about to take a house,” &o. Mr. Bernasooni, of Cubastreet, comes out somewhat in the character of a monopolist, for ho has occupied a large proportion of tho apace available, yet none of his exhibits could be Well dispensed with. An elegant stand supports an oval shield, on which is.placed a gold cross, won by Bernasooni at tho International London Exhibition of 1870, as an award for carved woodwork. Ho exhibits a well-designed easy chair, that can be converted into a comfortable couch, and also a folding camp bed, that will' pack into a small space, and when erected is a good height above the ground, and has provision for rigging a cover over all. There is a very neat hall chair, and a particularly handsome bedstead of highly polished wood, a capital specimen of furniture, well designed, and made by a thorough workman. Odoardo Lami, of Tara-naki-streot, exhibits a chair, showing good work. A Chinese desk, >s a marvel of ingenuity, containing many cunning contrivances and well concealed secret drawers. This was brought from China by the late Mr.'John Bryco. Mr. Fowler shows specimens of carved woodwork, deserving of commendation. Mr. W. Cook, of Adelaide-road, has sent in hearth-rggs and door mats made of flax, which look able to stand the wear and tear of many feet. Outside the room Crook and Harrison have a Rob Roy canoe, slung beyondthe roach of people, but the linos of the boat are easily seen to be good, and the work is of tho right sort. A model of a schooner on the landing is cleverly executed. There is in the room a chair with a wool-worked seat, the work of a lady sixty years of age, who sets ft worthy example to tho younger ones. Some excellent imitatiohs of Tasmanian wild flowers are painted by Mrs, J. Young on a small round table, the execution slewing considerable skill. A particularly handsomb bookcase,. made of New Zealand ■totara by Mr. W. J. Falconer, of Mannersstreet, commands general attention. Mr. W. T. Levers sends a cedar table. Some bullocks’ horns, which have a number of heads and figures carved upon them by an Italian whoso name is not given, are worthy of a close examination) Miss M. A. Buggy, fourteen years of age, exhibits a largo leather pictureframe which does her great credit; and Mr. McDuff, ,of Wellington, has sent some laoe curtains. Messrs. Dalgloish and Roid have a largo assortment of what, nmy be' termed “ wall .fixings of '.American 'make, whipfi

will have further reference made to them on another day. Mr. Myers, the picture frame maker of Manners-street, shows some mouldings ; but his .work is better seen in the picture gallery, v.'hcre many of the frames are from his shop. Mr. Bernasooni also exhibits frame mouldings. A particularly handsome table made with inlaid wood is exhibited by the maker, Mr. W. H. Barber, who has certainly produced a first-class specimen of joiner’s work. At theend of the passageon the first floor the 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 G. Franklin, of the Government bookbinding department. It is much on the same plan as one they constructed at the Government Printing Office last Christmas, when that establishment was very tastefully decorated. The falls are well made of rookwork, 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 over the falls. The moon shines forth, and the Dog Island light is 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. Commencing at No. 1, we meet with an old friend tbathasbeen in the colony some time,and has appeared inprevious exhibitions. It is a beautiful painting, “ The 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. MeDnff, 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. 3is a water-oolor 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. Risitg, is near, and then we come to an oil painting by Mr. A. S. Alan, representing a “Maori warscouting party.” ' This picture is very skilfully treated, aud 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. Rawson’s pictures. This one, though not perhaps the best iu 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 Lang, 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 Binns, of Wellington, the lettering and bordering being the work of Mr. E. 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 Athemeura Bazaar, The next in order is an oil painting by Mr. E. Brandon, representing a view in Milford Sound. This is perhaps tlie best of Mr. Brandon’s pictures in oil that he has exhibited. Tlie view is a faithful representation, and has been recognised by many of those who have visited the Sound. Mr. O. D, Barraud'contributes a pretty water-color view of “ Morning” on Lake Taupo. Mr. Gully’s picture comes next. It is a view of Mount Ernslaw, 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 iu grandeur with that of any part of the world. The representation of Mount Ernslaw is very correct. It is a splendid view, and lias been most successfully treated by Mr. Gully. The foliage and depth of coloring in the foreground is worthy of the artist, and it would well repay a good study by many of our local amateurs. It is a magnificent picture, aud will without doubt .be greatly admired by visitors to the Exhibition,- Mr. Burgess furnishes a domestic scene at “ Oiikleigh," Lower Hutt. Tlie 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. Eawson, 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 ol his admirably executed copies iu 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 C. A. M. Crombie. The sketch is in water colors, and will no doubt be at once recogni sed by those who have spent a pleasant afternoon in visiting that leality. It shows talent, and the young artiit 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 Chevriere des Abuzzes,” by Mrs Jordan, and below we find a pen and ink portrait of the late 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, aud the clear transparency of the white grapes are especially good. “ The Sheep Pen,” an oleograph exhibited by Mr. ,is well worthy of fuspeotiou. No. 27 is a water color from the pencil of Mr. R. 6. Palmer, of Foxtou ; the scene represents a view of the Kaiwarra Gorge, and is a very capital study of . our beautiful foliage. “ The Coast Scene,” by Mr. F. Barraud, is an extromly good representation of the locality. A water color by Mr. B. Brandon next claims attention. The picture represents a view in Milford Sound at -sunset, looking towards the entrance from Harrison's cove, “ The Head of' Glen Coy,” a Highland moor scene, from the brush of Mr. C. F. Stuart, is an admirably executed work. The locality chosen is one of the most difficult it would be possible for a painter to select, but it lias received full justice at the 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 is an oil painting of the “ Steamship Hawea leaving Lyttelton Heads.” This view will be readily and easily recognised by many of tlie visitors, who have no doubt had to brave the evils of sea sickness on 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 ia the nearest part of the sea would have afforded variation and improved' the general effect. A •“ View on the West Const Road, Upper Wnimakariri,” by 0. D. Barraud, is a spirited sketch, and one that well shows the kind of travelling in that country ; the foliage is carefully depicted, and is the best picture exhibited by that local artist. Mr. Rawson’s sketch of “Needlo 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 the traveller 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. C. D. 'Barraud, is worthy of- inspection. No. 35 will recall to our minds a gallant old defender, “ Von Tempsky, Captain of the Rangers.” This sketch executed by him, shows a portion of the celebrated “ Alaroh of General Chute.” The Friendlies are leading, and noted celebrities, aud such ns “ The Wife of the Guide ” and “ Bloody Mary" being. distinguishable,-while Dr. Featherstou aud General Chute are apparently standing on ono side surveying the march. Thq artist hiraadlf 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 Sgono,” is, exhibited by Mil Bcrdcll.

Mr. Jack exhibits a chrome, 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 an 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 toned 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 be appreciated. It is exhibited by Mr. J. Stevenson, of the firm of Stevenson and Stuart of this city. Passing an engraving, “liaising the May Pole,” leut by Mr. Moss, we have a view in oils (by Mr. F. Bradey) of Wellington in 1841. This is a copy from a sketch made by Major Hcaphy, who then held the position of Surveyor to the Now 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 vie’w is a pleasing-dne, 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 Iliad.” 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.

We notice two very rare exhibits by Mr. Bothamly. The first is a portrait of the Doge Leonardo Loredano ; the name of the latter does not appear to have been given. A pencil drawing —“ Two' Girls ” exhibited by Mr. Monntier, is creditably drawn. It is no doubt the work of a young amateur. The next to be noticed is the specimen of penmanship by Mr. Harry Wrigg, of this city. Of all.the exhibits in the room, this has perhaps drawn the attention of the public most. It is indeed a most creditable and cleverly executed drawing. Standing by, one hears the remarks of those who have never before seen anything of .the kind ; and it is ludicrous to observe the attempts made to lift up or take hold of the “scale,” or “one-pound note.” Were it not for the glass, these attempts would be,still more frequent. There, carefully depicted, is Figaro, Illustrated London News, The Times, London Journal, and many-other papers—the Graphic,. for instance, the wrapper of which is admirably copied ; Punch, a mortgage debenture of the Tichborne estate for one hundred pounds, a facsimile of the signature of Sir George Bowen, cheque forms, cards, a £1 note of the Bank of New Zealand, and postage and date stamps are all included ; indeed, it would occupy far too much space to detail half the contents or merits of this clever specimen of penmanship. It has only to be seen to be appreciated ; and one is apt to wonder at the time and labor that must have been expended on its production. Mr. Wrigg, we believe, presented a similar drawing to H.11.H. the Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of his visit to this colony. The fair artist who has previously been alluded to, exhibits a picture of “ Mount Ernslaw,” copied from the Australasian Shetcher. It is a very pleasing picture, and the general, tone and coloring is much after the style of one of our beat water-color artists. The treatment, however, would bear a little more care. The outlines are in some instances rather harsh, but that gradation of color and soft haziness, so essential to correct depiction of the general character of our local scenery, can only be gained by careful study of, nature and experience. Next we have a splendid collection of miniature and water color paintings exhibited by the Messrs. Ghatfield. These are executed by the mother of the exhibitors, and are well worthy the inspection of those who visit the room. These paintings have all been exhibited at the Royal Academy, and two have each respectively gained a gold and silver medal, the remainder having in numerous exhibitions been the subject of honorable mention. Mrs.'Ghatfield also received three other medals for' paintings iu addition to those at present under notice. No. 70 is a water-color drawing .by Mr. E. Brandon. This picture - was the first prize in an art union of last year, and is now exhibited by the owner. Nos. 71 and 78 are portraits of dogs. They may be correct likenesses, but don’t call for any special remark as artistic exhibits. “The Fishing Smacks," by E. Burgess, is a welltreated picture, but the same cannot be said of the adjoining oil painting. Mr. Parnell exhibits a portrait in oils of a lady. This is from the studio of an eminent English artist, but like others which have been noticed, has been ill-treated in varnishing. An oil painting by E. Battersbee, after Turner's style, is very effectively treated. A marine portrait in water colors of the ship “Huruuui” is the next on the list; the vessel is fairly pourtrayed, but certain stiffness is observable in the treatment of the sea. “My Great Grandmother’s First Dancing Lesson” is a picture in oils, from the studio of Mr. Townsend. Mr. Allen contributes an oil painting, the subject of which appears to be “ Gamblers,” but no other information is afforded. We next approach one of the best of .Mr. Eawson’S pictures, a view in Milford Sound. This is taken from a point near Fresh Water Basin, at , the head of the Sound, and shows the Bowen Falls, with part of Cemetery Point ■ on the right. It is a beautiful picture, the atmosheric effects (in which Mr. Eawson generally excels) being well preserved. It is to be regretted, however (and this opinion must be accepted by artists in the same spirit in which it is offered), that no pictures have yet appeared which at all convey to the observer the magnificent grandeur of the scenery in Milford Sound. To quote the words of a gentleman who but recently that locality. He says :—“ As we * twisted our neck to look upwards, the stupendity and grandeur of our surroundings, and our own insignificance and littleness were fully brought home to our minds.” The scenery generally, its high mountains, Mount Pembroke for instance (7000 ft. high) covered in perpetual snow; the vivid and rich color of the foliage, ferns, and mosses is beyond description, and even the, best artists may quail at the task of depicting such grandeur. At No. 83, we have an oil painting from the brush of Mr. Brandon, the subject being an evening scene on the “ Dart Kiver,” at the head of Lake Wakatipu. On the right is shown part of Mount Alfred, while the lower portion of the Oaple Range, tipped with snow, . is to be seen on the left. Mr. Buchanan exhibits a chromo, the frame of which is made from the fern tree. It is unique, and the example thus set will probably ere long be followed by many others. There is no doubt that many of our New Zealand woods could be capitally worked up for such purposes as frames for water-color pictures, photographs, &c., &c. the honeysuckle, for instance; while the rimu, totara, or black birch, would be found suitable for the frames of oil paintings, engravings, or other's requiring heavier moulding. While on this subject, a word may be said to amateurs, exhibitors, and others. Sufficient care is not taken in framing generally; it is not such an easy matter as may bo usually supposed ; the subject, the style, and general treatment of the picture have to be carefully studied before finally deciding upon the kind of frame moat appropriate. It has often occurred that a work, in itself really good, has been utterly spoiled in appearance by the bad taste iu the framing. The lighter the picture, the lighter the frame should be ; while those of greater depth and solidity should be afforded heavier, but appropriate, mouldings. No! 85 is a pretty little view of part of Windsor Forest; exhibited by B. Battersbee. Mr. Townsend is next with an oil-painting, “ Temptation;” perhaps the best of that artist's collection on view. The “Head' of Reubens," a chalk drawing by Mr. R. A Rising, is - a cleverly-executed work, as is also a water-color sketch of some flowers. The "Ven. Archdeacon Slock exhibits two very good photographs of “Tintern Abbey.” E. Battersbee contributes a very good oil-painting of King Charles spaniels; and then we have a view of “Mitre Peak," in Milford Sound, by Mr. Rawsou. This is possibly not so well balanced a picture as others of Mr. Rawson’s. Greater firmness and depth of coloring of the foreground would improve the appearance of the picture. Few artists iu the colony give that care and attention in the treatment of the foreground which it deserves, and by that neglect the painting probably has a “ flat ” appearance, rather than conveying to the observer the idea of “ recession,” if one might coin a Vord for the purpose. Mr. Gully, for instance, is an exception, for it will be. observed, no doubt, that the foreground in most of his pictures has received the most skilful treatment. A “ Study on Sumner Beach" is from the studio of Mr. Gibb. The view is takeu somewhere near the celebrated cave, looking towards the South. It is a .pity that Mr. Gibb did not also send a view from the same place showing .the mass of rook in which the cave is situated; the picture is scarcely in Mr. Gibb’s style, his depiction of'foliage and landscape generally being preferable to his marine views. Take, for instance, the largo oil painting of Castle

Hill, on the West Coast, which is also from his brush—a most pleasing scene. The light thrown upon the jutting castle-like rocks and mountain peaks is skilfully done; while the coloring of the distant hills, and the exquisite manner in which the mist is shown lying over the lower portion of the valleys, is remarkably good. The general tone of the picture is pleasing'to the eye, and has had, as it deserves, many admirers. No. 93 is an etching from the hands of Mr. John Buchanan—a study, apparently, of some of Landseer's pets. Mr, Buchanan displays special aptitude in this line, and it is to be regretted that he has not favored the Exhibition with other specimens of his ability. An oil color, after Turner, is exhibited by E. Battersbee, but this is scarcely so good as a somewhat similar view we previously noticed. Mr. Jack exhibits an oil painting by Dougherty ; the scene is a village on Loch Tyne. This and another by the same artis, “Loch Ard,” exhibited by Mr. Todd, of Wanganui, are excellent paintings. The latter is perhaps the more pleasing, the reflection of the hills and bush on the unruffled surface of the loch is very admirably treated. Mr. Henry Barraud furnishes a very nice oil painting, “A Frugal Meal,” while iu close proximity are two excellent specimens of heraldic art by Mr. J. McDuff. Four portraits painted in oil on copper plates are exhibited by the Ven. Archdeacon Stock. These are evidently from the hands of an old master. No. 101 is a chromo of Dunstandle Castle, lent by Mr. Jack. An oil painting by Mr. J. Ooombe appears as No. 103, the subject being “ Richard Ooeur de Lion pardoning Bertrand de Gourdon.”

We now come to a really beautiful view of the entrance, to Milford Sound by Mr. Rawsou. It is a pleasing picture, and conveys a very good idea of the scenery. While noticing this, probably the last pourtrayal of such magnificent scenery we shall have to notice, it may not be out of place to give a short description of the entrance to this Sound, so graphically described by a gentleman who but recently visited that locality. He says :—“ As we approached Milford we got a splendid view of Mount Pembroke, 6710 leet high. His summit was shaped like an inverted razor, and appeared almost as sharp. Precipices 4000 and 5000 feet high.were Observed on his side. His hoary and venerable head towered above those of his brethren around him, its surface being hidden: by vast • fields of frozen snow. Far inland to the northeast we caught a transitory glimpse of Tutuku Peak, elevated 9691 feet to the sky. Mitre Peak 1 next came in full sight. It, like Mount Pembroke, rises iu almost sheer precipices for about 3500 feet, then rounds like a dome, and finally shoots up in the shape of a mitre. Milford Sound is about nine miles long, the water ranging from 50 to 214 fathoms in depth, the latter being found at the base of Mount Kimberley, some five miles up. It is one and three-quar-ter miles wide at its entrance, narrows to a few hundred yards at Dale Point, two and a-half miles up, where it bends to the south-ca t, and then widens again to one and a-half miles. At its head, where it. divides into Fresh-wat r Basin on the left and Deep-water Basin oh the right, its width is only about three- ; quarters of a mile. . ... Steep as were the rocky , sides of the mountains, a few stunted trees had, yet managed to secure" ; a ‘dicky’ foothold, the ratas even being in ; : full flower, but it seemed as if they must be living on air and bolding on like grim death. A littler further up, on the right-hand side, a sharp beetling cliff some 800 ft. high projected into the Sound, its brow far overhanging its foot. Bach moment the scene changed, and something new was presented to our eyes. . .

Everything about us combined to impress oh our minds the awful convulsions which must have taken place before the deep, dark recesses in these towering ranges could have been formed.”

Mr. Gibb’s viewof Fresh-water Lakeiu George Sound on the west coast of the Middle Island is a little gem. The writer was in company with Mr. Gibb on the occasion of his visit to this charming little spot, and can speak to its truthfulness. The gentleman before quoted thus describes his visit to this lake “ Following up the course of the cataract itself, and by clambering over immense boulders' for half-an-hour, and running the risk every moment of slipping and being launched into tho boiling, seething mass below, we at last reached a rocky platform about tea yards wide. Over the greater part of this the torrent rushed, being fed from one of the loveliest little sheets of water that it could be possible to ■ imagine. Except where ■we stood no shore was to be seen anywhere, the trees drooping over the edges of the lakelet and completely hiding their own roots. An attempt was made to penetrate beyond the end of this quiet pond, but the only result was that, after getting bogged time after time, the adventurers only succeeded in catching a glimpse of a small corner of another and evidently much larger lake, several miles further in the recess of the Southern Alps.” A very cleverly executed etching by Mr. Buchanan, a portrait of Sir George Grey in 1851, exhibited by Mr. Bothamley, and a photograph of Tintern Abbey, shown by the Yen. Archdeacon Stock, completes the list up to No. 108. We will continue the subject in our next issue. There have been some very acceptable additions 'to the picture gallery, notably an excellent likeness of Sir Julias Vogel, in oil, by a young lady.

It is worthy of notice that two o£ the best oil paintings in the hall—Nos. 30 and 24—were won at Art Unions. The former belongs to Mr. G. H. Luxford, and was valued at home.at £l5O, and thelatter, owned by Mr.H.Fj Logan, was given as a prize worth £55, but it would now sell in London at a much higher figure. In these two instances the avowdd object of an Art Union has been attained by the distribution of pictures of great merit, which probably would not have in any other mode found their way out here.

In the furniture room there is a small crockery image of Boss Tweed, so contrived that when a coin is placed in the right hand it is immediately transferred to the breast pocket. A card gives the following inscription;— l)c mortal's nil nisi lonum. Boss Tweed receiving and thankfully acknowledging donations of sixpences and shillings in aid of the funds of the Wellington Benevolent Society.” Some fish sent from the Colonial Museum were on view on Thursday morning; one, a ‘monster bapakn, rather surprised those persons who had no idea that so large a fish was to be found in the waters of New Zealand. A trumpeter which when alive weighed 281bs. is a very fine specimen of this excellent fish. In the evenings 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 iu 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 enyelope with two lines of poetry, or some gentle badinage. For instance,-one grave and mercantile man paid for “I can do a beer; can you!" The committee have taken due precautions against fire, and 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.