THE SYDNEY EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5763, 18 September 1879, Page 2

THE SYDNEY EXHIBITION.

«r(PER TRESS AGENCT.) Auckland, Wednesday. Tho Star publishes six columns refer, ins; to the opening o£ the Sydney Exhibition to-day. The following describes the New Zealand section :—Coming from beside the orchestra, and going quietly down the nave, and round the north-eastern corner of the statue basin, nud peepiug into the convenient court of New Zealand, where Dr. Hector receives me with a warm welcome; — this court has a good frontage of 100 ft., facing the western transept at its junction with the staircases by the statute, which run into the gallery above, and to tho refreshment saloons in the basement below. One of the first things which arrests ray attention, is a convention of Western Australian jarrah and various New Zealand wood-*, showing how the Teredo (Mollusc) attacks jarrah. It is completely eaten thr.uigh iu round holes, while kauri wood of the same age is as perfect as when first cut. He this very fine exhibit Mr. Macdonald, C.K., of the Auckland Harbor Board, strongly recommends totara wood, which is very hard and durable. The I'arnell Soap Factory exhibits some very fine cases of toilet and common soap.:, arranged with much taste and care. A very valuable case, exciting much attention, contains paints and varnishes made from New Zealand kauri gum and other pigments, exhibited by Messrs. Atkinson and McColl, of Newmarket, Auckland. A well known painter remarked that some of tlie-e articles would put European varnishes iu the shade, being better adapted to the climate. Numbers 191 and 196 ara gas tiles, crucibles, and fire tiles, by George Boyd, of New; on, Auckland. A very beautiful chess table, inlaid with New Zealand woods, forming a kind of basket work, i 3 the admiration of all connoisseurs, by Seuffert of Auckland. Sraiw very pretty braces and belts ornamented with colored silks and mounted with silver from the Thames mines is a production of Greenshields, Auckland. Richard Edward Graham gives us an example of what may one day prove a very valuable industry, raw silks of very rich quality, the produce of a thousand difTerr"ii silkworms. Amongst other interesting Auckland contributions is a unique set cf carriage harness furniture, close plated silver on Germ m silver. Ca«e of brushware maile of bristles, fibre, and hair, and woods of New Zealand growth, by Harbutt, Auckland. Albin Martin exhibits two very good oil paintings—one illustrating an explosion of dynamite, the othe- is a | scene on the Thames. The. pretty scenery in the Bay of Islands is depicted in two pictures, by Watkins, of Auckland. Several other interesting pictures are also exhibited by this gentleman. Some pictures, which will be viewed with interest by residents of Sydney by Edward Mason are exhibited by Dr. Kesteven, of Wellington. They are sketches of Sydney and suburbs 50 years ago. Our "old identities" at once recognised (to them) well-known spots in the city surroundings. Neville, of C'hristchurch, is a large exhibitor of oil paintings—all of New Zealand scenery. Amongst these are three excellent pictures of Lake Wakatipu. Mis 3 Nutt, of Dunedin, exhibits no less than 84 water-color drawings of New Zealand ferns from nature. Messrs. Sturtevant, of Parcel!, and Watkins, of Auckland, show some very fine "paintings, Mrs. Powell, of Oamarn, exhibits a picture in wool and silk (" Huguenot"), which has been worked with evident great taste. Miss Bridget Henry, of Dunedin, n!.-o exhibits a picture in silk and worsted work. In decorations with ceramic and vitreous materials we find a china dish with raised figures over two hundred yeara old, exhibited by Waite, of the Thames ; and by A. Milne, of Wanganui, an engraving on glass of racehorses. Waters, of Auckland, has about i 0 tins of assorted sweets. In wines, Wendell, cf Auckland, exhibits three samples of wine made from grapes grown in Auckland. In the mineral department there are soroo very interesting exhibits. In the centre of the court (but intended for the nave as soon as the platform used in the ceremonial proceedings have been removed) is a gilt pyramid representing the quantity of gold exported from the Hokitika Goidfields from 1860 lo 1879 From this the curious in such matters learn with astonishment that this comparatively small terrain has yielded 2,032,330 oz-i., the value being £8,261,860. Another very interesting trophy is the mode of showing tHa produce of gold and relative value of silver and copper produced m New Zealand. The Greymouth Committee exhibits a pyramid, showing the amount of gold exported from Greymouth since 1857, which is 1,216,000 ounces, of the value of £9,867,998. The New Zealand Commissioners also have a trophy pyramid showing the total yield of gold from New Zealand, giving the inconceivable number of 9,253,021 ounces, the value of which was £36,227,114. Height of pyramid, 36 x 5 fee' ; base being 5x2 feet; apex, 3 x 5 by 3 x 5 feet. One of the moat beautiful exhibits, and in <re likely than a bookful of descriptions to give a picture of the beautiful country, is a model of the famous volcanic mountain Torrgariro, beautifully exacuted, and exhibited by Dr. Hector, who has also a large number of reaps of his own compilation—six being relief maps, and others for geological studies. A valuable contribution to the geology of New Zealand here, too, i 3 Dr. Hector's interesting work on trie I "Grasses of New Zealand" (illustrated by John Buchanan), elegantly printed at the Government Printing Office, Wellington, from I the Thames we have some good tadinzs for I testing,. from the Caledonian mine (quartz ■ yielding an ounce to the ton), Golden < a'f, Premier, Kurunui Hill,'Aljsurnia, Moacttiiri and Waitahi, with some rich specimens o£ auriferous quartz from the same locality. .Some fine specimens (one being a very valuable one) from the New Zealand goldfields are exhibited 1 by the Bank of Kew Zealand, forming a veiy

rich collection. From the famous Lake Wakatipu we have some very beautiful specimens of fossilised fern roots and leaves. The tracery is remarkably clear, thy lines seeming as if cut with a graver. John of Queenstown, is the exhibitor. Ko. 11 gives good specimens of copper stratum and crorne ore, by Mr. Huckett, Aniseed Valley, Kelson. Amongst the remarkable curios are some of the beautiful colored marble from the renowned colored terraces at the head of Lake Wakatipu, and freestone, gyp;;m, and limestone from the same locality, tho healing qualities of whose waters in >-o rerr.srkable. These are sent by Mr. Edward McCaffrey, of Qneenslown. The White Wand Sulphur Company, of Auckland, have some interesting exhibits of crude ore and flour of sulphur. Some very fine exhibits are New Zealand marbles, polished and rough, and Kakanui stone, shown by Messrs. Munro, Dunedin. The same exhibitor had a very curious clock-case made out of the lastnamed material. Potter's china clay, exhibited by Mr. Edwards, of the Thames, is here in great variety. If well known, this might be found available here, where the manufacture of jueh material is not followed with great ability. Exhibits of still greater value are some slabs. of the Lithographic Stono Company's quarry, Westland. The surface appears capable of the highest possible polish and dressing. There is a very fine exhibit from the Christchurch Meat Preserving Company—the case well arranged—and near it arc some good samples of chicory by Trent Bros., Canterbury. The Auckland Oil Company has some splendid exhibits of oil. In manufacturer! of this branch a sample of sea elephant oil is shown by William Elder, of Dunedin ; also, for lubricating purposes, petroleum, crude and refined. Slates are shown by Mr. Ross, of Gisbome, Poverty Bay ; and blacking by Keinpthorne, Prosser and Co. Some samples of furniture, polished by Thos. Rice, Napier, are noticeable in thn vicinity. The samples of perfumery by Beisel, of Dunedin, and toilet requisites by Marker, Wellington, will not be altogether slighted wheu placed in competition with the productions of Eimraell or Goanell in the British court. Amongst these there is a remarkable illustration of manufacturers' industry, interesting exhibit of pottery-ware made with amateur implements and appliances by an

amateur, William L'iunt, of the Thames. It. W. Capstiek, of Dunedin, has some very excellent jugs, vases, teapotß, and candlestick.*, remarkably useful for household purposes. No. 210 is a capital exhibit by A. and T. Burt, of Dunedin. It is a cabinet washstand with marblo top, and fitted with tubes, pipes, and caps. A very fine article of household furniture is a bedstead of mottled kauri wood, by Jas Cooks, Thames. No. 213 ia a charming escritoire, or writing table, also of New Zealand woods, by Findlay and Co., of Dunedin. It is a little gem, the drawers opening easily, and the finish being remarkably elegant. Guthrie and Larnach's New Zealand Timber, and Wood Factory, Dunedin, gives a vory fine ma*«ive bedroom suite constructed of rirnu, mottled kauri, and totara. The graining and colors are admirable. The same firm has a drawing-room suite made of silver birch exquisitely finished and upholstered. A cabinet made of [New Zealand birch ebouised is t a parfeet gem for a boudoir. This is one of the most charming exhibits in the New Zealand court. Good taste, excellent design, and fine workmanship are combined in it. King and Co. of Christchurch, have a very fine sideboard of New Zealand wood. Large and Townly, a well known Napier firm, show a very rich inlaid worktable, ingeniously put together, with a high finish. Air. Nicholson, Wellington, exhibits a Tery creditable sideboard of New Zealand woods, made entirely by an apprentice. Tiraaru also sends something in the department of furniture, made from New Zealand woods, in the shape of a handsome double washstand, by Mr. Ililey. The carving and turning of the legs are very effective. There is a mass of goods still unpacked, at which one can merely give a cursory-glance. Utilising the beautiful timber of the country for domestic purposes, brings out New Zealand industry in great strength. There are in this court some remarkably beautiful articles in ornamental manufactures of precious metals. The Dunedin Fire Brigade has a very elegant vase, presented to it by the United Insurance Companies. Peterson and Co., of Christchurch, show a remarkably chaste claret jug and enp, manufacted by them from New Zealand silver. There is a large case of silver plate, including articles of great variety and good workmanship of many different designs, exhibited by Mr. Sandstein, of Christchurch. This town reems to carry oft the palm in silver goods. No. 240 is a splendid mirror, shown by Guthrie and Larnach, Dunedin, sft. in height, and 3ft. 4in. in width, with a very handsome frame of New Zealand birch, carved and ebonised. Miss Kate Salmon, of Wellington , has near here a very pretty exhibit, consisting of cone picture frames and brackets, made of seaweed and ferns. The materials are so skilfully used as to give the greatest pleasure to beholders, and are evidences of woman's taste and imaginative powers. Attention is also attracted by some curiously wrought picture frames, made of cane of New Zealand growth ; the interlacing of items of various sizes beinsj managed with mathematical nicety. Here is a very ornamental mantelshelf, by Creenfield and Stewart, Wellington, which makes us think that marble mantelpieces may give place to such art specimens of workmanship in wood without any detriment to the general appearance of the room. Here, too, is another of Guthrio and Larnach's magnificent exhibits. It is an inner hall door, made of the following descriptions of wood : Bimu, mako, rewa rewa, kauri,, totara, horopito, kahikatea, koehera, manuka, and with this is a marquella flooring of the same timbers. These two articles form one of the most charming exhibits in this court, not only for variety of the woods used in their manufacture, but for the designs and patterns of the panelling, the high polish and beautiful gradation of color arrived at by the skilful blending of the various pieces. The flooring has the advantage of being portable, and can be put dawn anywhere. As a floor-cloth it has a very decided advantage. In conversing with the Commissioner on this subject, he tells me that it could be sold at 12s. 6d. per yard. As the durability of this article cannot be questioned, and its beauty and richness of design are patent to every eye, whilst its general utility is very apparent, from its being so easily moved, this article ought to come into very general use. With such a floor carpets would be unnecessary. Flax is shown in great variety, and under every conceivable shape of manufacture. There is a small trophy of raw material and choice fibre, and a small case of flock for upholstering purposes commands attention as being superior to the much-nsed pulu exhibited by Messrs. Ellis and Nicholson, of Dunedin. Huge coils and trophies of rope are here for every conceivable purpose—some fishing lines, twine, rope, colored fibre, and colored twine, all made from New Zealand flax, form a very satisfactory and . useful entry, as was fully

Bhown by an exhibit by Mr Beran, of Foxton. Kits or Maori household bag?, made of this flax by natives (one of their very few industrial pursuits), are shown by Mr. King, of New Plymouth, who has also a number of native mats and antimacassars, all specimens of Maori handiwork. Some admirable illustrations of New Zealand manufactures are samples of flannels (for cricketing and other purposes) and blankets, sent by the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company, of Canterbury. The texture of the blankets is pof t and close, produoing evidently warmth without irritation. With such specimens as these we ought not to have to send half over the world for these necessary articles of domestic comfort. The same company have a fine case of yarn, plaiding, and tweed of a serviceable quality. The Mosgiel Woollen Company, l)unediD, exhibits some excellent woollen fabrics, shawls of very rich patterns, tweeds (remarkably even in wear), blankets, and hosiery, another proof of what can be done for our use on this side of the ocean. A curious exhibit is No. 376, a big black pearl found by a Maori in a mussel caught in Tory Channel. Miss Mary Henry, of Nelson, a young lady of an evidently ingenious turn of mind, has No. 301, and exhibits a woollen scarf, sewn and knitted by hand from wool grown in the Nelson district ; four mats made of New ZeaUnd flax, and wool shorn by Win. Cook, Wellington. Native industries meet here in friendly rivalry—so numerous that the judges will have a great difficulty in arriving at a decision. Another useful exhibit is No. 342, a life-saving vest, by Wm. Forster, Christchurch. This is intended to be worn on board ship under the ordinary vest, and can be inflated at will. George S. Summeifield has a remarkable article—a seamless dress, consisting of trousers and dress suit. A remarkably tasteful pair of slippers are sent by Mrs. Henry Lucien, Castle-street. Dunedin. It is inserted work, and is a model of taste and richness, Another lady—Mrs. Thomas Merriott, Wellington—gives a most remarkable evidence of skill in a bonnet made of lacework; and there is a hat made 'of phormiam tenax exhibited by Mr. Henry

Neale, of Motueka, Nelson. Mr. George Binns, of Wellington, gives a fine imitation of old point lace, hand-made. New Zealand may well be proud of its lady exhibitors. The In veroargill Paper Bag Factory show py.er bag made of brown and grey paper manufacture by the Mataura Paper Mill Company froi. native New Zealand grass. The bays are ■• every size, aud are useful for a variety of pin poses. 'J hey also show a good assor-m.jiit <■' brown and gray wrapping pr.j.er made from Uie same grasses. The Otago Paper Coropain, cf Lhuiedin, likewise exhibits two excei!e-.t samples of brown wrapping paper. Dueedin evidently carries off the palm iu this artie'e. Mr. Pidsbury. of Weiingtou, Government Printer, has a g od exhibit of bookbinder'* work. Lyon and Bla>r, Welliw'ton, also have Rome excellent tiling in this department.. The pieservert meat by the Ghristchurch Meat Preserving Compan v forms a valuable collections of comestibles. A large bell weighing 6cwt., mounted with wheels, by I A and f. Burt, Dunedin, is a great curiosity. The Auckland steam rope factory has some splendid coils white manilla rope, even in quality, and of all sizes. A really good exhibit is the model of the Cape Farewell lighthouse, by Mr. S. Brown, of Wellington. It is a pleasing exhibit to old and young. Some fine exhibits illustrate the raising of heavyweights, j one of which is a model of Cleopatra's Needle, ; by Captain Thomson, of the Bluff. Mr. Gordon, I of the telegraph department, Wanganui, shows I a specimen of the Lord's prayer in Maori. He also shows a pen and ink sketch called " study table," for which he obtained a medal at the"last Sydney Exhibition. Lucas Cork and Co., Dunedin, exhibit an orgui, pianoforte, and harmonium, their own invention, manufactured by exhibitors. The Native Minister exhibits a splendid bust of the great native chief " Hapuku." An astonishing number of oil paintings is exhibited from almost all the principal citius of New Zealand. There is a handsome model of the Lyttelton harbor, fcy the Lyttelton Harbor Board, which is a faithful copy _of the harbor, the smallest details having been attended to. The departments in which most specimens, are exhibited are the natural grasses, &c, of New Zealand works of art, oil paintings, photos, &o. The specimens of mineralogy and geology are excellent, aud altogether New Zealand may be proud of her collection, which is as interesting as that of almost any other court in the building.