The Victorian Court.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2372, 23 October 1880, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Victorian Court.

Great as are the exhibits of the other colonies and nations, Victoria takes a very prominent position, and her court, on the right hand as we enter the central avenue, with its magnificent vista of flags, draperies, and show cases, is almost unrivalled. The trophies claim more than ordinary attention, as they surpass those in other courts. Foremost among these must be noted Kitchen and Sons’ trophy of candles, soap, &c., which is a beautiful object, and certainly is unrivalled in the Exhibition. Next to this in importance are the trophies of the Red Cross Preserving Company, Harper and Co., Swallow and Ariell, Guest and Co. Perhaps the most attractive features of the court, after the above, are the trophies, &c., in the Mining Court, behind the other. Here are a giant gilded cube, showing the gold obtained from Victorian mines, over £44,000,000 worth, a pyramid showing the gold product of Sandhurst, a section of quartz reef, a pyramid showing the amount of gold coined by the Mint, and numerous models of nuggets, cakes, &c., &c., too numerous to particularise in the space at our command. Below we endeavour to give some account of prominent objects, as far as the progressive state of the court will allow. In the gallery of the western nave is placed a colossal gilded figure of Liberty in a sitting position, the work of one man’s hands, a German. The figure may be noticed chiefly on account of its huge proportions. “ The victor’s wreath” the young woman holds in her left hand is certainly large enough to bind round the brows of a whole battalion of warriors.

The beauty and quality of Victorian silver may be estimated by inspecting the show cases of Mr. Edward Kaul, who displays the precious metal in every form of ornament and ware; indeed, so exquisite and antique is some of the work as to lead to the impression that it was wrought by those “ cunning’ ’ men of old. A. set of ostrich eggs, mounted in silver, and on which are groups of flowers, delicately and artistically painted by hand, attract great attention. The exhibits in the Victorian Court, near the large organ, are of a most heterogeneous nature, from a stuffed horse, which has for many years past borne at intervals a cavalry officer who has the seat of a tailor, and a fair Diana who possesses a most decided list to port, to patent ventilators. The equine animal mentioned has, for at least the last two decades, done duty as a lay figure in the shop window of W. K. Vail, tailor, Swanston-street,_and at present with the same docility adjoining the exhibits of Dudon and Beaupin, perruquiers, Bourke-street, who display the capillary substances in every conceivable mode and shape. Hero one can sec how beautifully and wonderfully made are some ladies’ and gentlemen’s heads of hair. Messrs Joseph Bros., watchmakers and electricians, Swanston-street, depend for future fame, with, of course, the accompanyingprofit, rather upon their own manufactured electric machines and scientific instruments than on their clocks and watches. Gittus shows umbrellas, none of which, however, are entitled to special notice on the score of novelty. Mr. T. Gaunt, watchmaker, Royal Arcade, besides a large and valuable collection of horology and jewellery, has erected a clock with a huge dial over the entrance to the principal avenue to the annexes. The clock was manufactured to the order of the Emerald Hill Town Council. It is the largest piece of workmanship in its way ever attempted in the colony, and is, as also is its striking bell, which was cast at Langland’s Eoundry, entitled to the large amount of scrutiny it obtains. Volunteers and members of friendly societies will, with some degree of interest, inspect the bullion lace work, chivrous, &c., shown by C. R. Martin, gold lace manufacturer, of Elinders-lane. The exhibits ought, at any rate, to stir up the youthful soul to arms, and also excite the vaulting ambition of a budding Thespian or infant Roscius. Specimens of lithographic and general printing are shown by Messrs. Sands and M‘Dougall, and also seals, monograms, &c , sunk by them. VC Detmold, Collins-street, exhibits bookbinding and fancy stationery in handsome show cases of every design. The centre of attraction of this court, at any rate so far as the ladies are concerned, is a huge oblong glass case, which is as large as some dressmakers’ establishments, and which has been erected by Messrs. Mowbray, Rowan and Hicks in order to display some of the most charming, and, indeed, magnificent costumes possible to conceive, in old gold and brocaded satins. It is worthy of notice that the gentlemen, as a rule, give exquisite feminine exhibits a casual and nervous glance, and hurry their “sisters, cousins and their aunts,” as the case maybe, to the jewellery and precious stones shown by Mr. Blashki and Messrs. Holloway, Kilpatrick and others, which, providentially, are close at hand, and near to which Madame Weigle shows paper-patterns, which appear to be exceedingly ingenious in their conception. The pattern of a lady’s dress, panniers, fichus and flounes combined, may be packed up in an envelope. In fact, it is withiu the range of possibility that these paper patterns will be so brought to perfection as to render silks and satins unnecessary, at least so stated an attendant. When a wife’s wardrobe may be packed within the compass of a band-box, a conjugal journey will not be altogether a martyrdom. The Ballarat, Barwon, Geelong, _ and Albion Wool Mills have some fine specimens of their several works. G. T. Buxton’s stall is most artistically arranged, and consists of artists’ materials — ea. 1 9Is, palettes etc., all of which are made from colonial woods. Landscape crayons in Victorian clays will, no doubt, possess considerable interest for colonial artists.

Leaving the main hall, and passing under the dome, the main avenue is reached, to the right of which is the large Victorian Court, and here some little attempt at order, with a view to the classification of exhibits, has been made.

A perfect bed chamber is shown by W. H. Rocke and Co., together with a magnificent suite of furniture, in light blue flowered silk. The chamber is almost too perfect for ordinary mortals, and the envious would do well to pass it by. The whole of the furniture in the chamber, together with the marble chimneypieces, and the floor, which is com. prised of parti-coloured polished colonial woods, is all designed and manufactured by colonial workmen.

Mr. Bosisto, Richmond, may justly be considered the Australian oil wizard; in fact, had he had the misfortune to have lived a century or so ago, he would have stood a very fair chance of being cremated as an evil genius, so remarkable are the cures he has wrought on the afflicted during the last dozen years by means of his eucalyptus oils. Mr.

Bosisto exhibits innumerable varieties of the oils from Australian trees.

Messrs. Zevenboom and Sons, Elizabethstreet, have obtained a site most suitable for the advantageous display of their Victorian manufactured brushware, situate in a conspicuous corner, between the Fire Brigade Station and the refreshment bars. Brushes of endless variety are disposed against the walls as artistically as are trophies in any ancient barobaronialhall. The thrifty and spider-detesting housewife, the dainty maiden, careful and proud of her golden tresses, down to the street scavenger, may all spend an enjoyable and profitable time in inspecting the goods, which range from a street broom of Brobdignagian proportions to a tiny tooth brush. All of the exhibits are very carefully manufactured, and are highly, and indeed artistically, ornamented, the backs being enamelled and further decorated with hand-painting in flowers and landscapes. The whole of the workmanship is Victorian, and the materials used are, so far as practicable, quite colonial. Messrs. James M'Bwan and Co. show a large and varied assortment of ironmongery, plateware, glassware, and furnishing generally. Their exhibits of machinery and tools of all kinds are very extensive and complete. It is impossible to do justice to an extensive series of exhibits such as Messrs. M'Ewan and Co. display in the space at present at our disposal.

Messrs. Swallow and Ariell have been exceedingly fortunate in obtaining an excellent position. The first object which attracts the attention of the visitor, as he enters the principal annexe after leaving the large hall, is a huge star-shaped cedar and glass case on the left hand side of the main avenue. The design is certainly a most unique one, and the builder has certainly studied the unities. The base of the pyramid is of octagonal form, and serves to display a very large amount of confectionery of every shape conceivable. The case, after rising a few feet from the floor, spreads itself out in the form of a star, each radiation of which serves as a nook for a gigantic bridal cake, the decorations of which are quite a work of art. The case is lined with mirrors, the effect of which is exceedingly pretty. The superstructure rises in pyramidal shape to a height of 25 feet, and every inch is utilised with a view to display, to the best possible advantage, the toothsome confections manufactured by the exhibitors. No small amount of ingenuity has been displayed in the nomenclature of the goods. For instance, here we have a biscuit called Charms (over thirty varieties). Dominoes, Funny Folks, Leaflets, Gems, International, Lime Biscuits, Milk Digestive Biscuits, &c. Messrs. Swallow and Ariell have, within the last few years, devoted their attention to the making of cakes and plum puddings, the latter being packed in shapes, and ready cooked, so that they may be eaten either cold or hot. The Salisbury seed cakes were highly provocative of a watering of the mouth, whilst the mince-meat recalled ‘‘the scenes and forms of long ago.” A decided novelty is a coursing biscuit for dogs, comprised of 25 per cent, good and fresh beef. The same firm also show treacle and golden syrup, in tins and casks, and, judging from the groups of youngsters, and, of children of a larger growth, who hover around this portion of the exhibit, the attraction possesses great charms. An exquisitely-conceived conceit is in the form of a huge and automatic glass eggboiler, filled with golden syrup, which empties itself from one crystal globe to another. The attendants are ever anxious to answer any questions which may be asked of them, and, indeed, an exceedingly pleasant hour may be passed by inspecting the exhibits of Messrs. Swallow and Ariell, who have, during the last few years, established an industry which gives employment to a very large number of persons. With pardonable pride the firm display their medals, won by them in Philadelphia, Paris, Vienna, Sydney, and other intercolonial exhibitions. It may be mentioned that on the opening day, when the caterer’s arrangements proved unavailing for the large crowd, Messrs. Swallow and Ariell distributed biscuits and cakes to the crowd, particularly to the ladies and children. Surely the honey and other saccharine matter used by Swallow and Ariell must have been gathered by the busy bees from the neighbouring case of flowers exhibited by Mrs. Staff and daughters. Yet no, for these “ bowing adorers of the gale are merely made of paper, and though beautiful and refreshing to the eye, they possess neither fragrance nor sensibility. They are exceedingly pretty, however, and, as specimens of colonial work, are well worthy of inspection. The material used in the making of the flowers is, of course, imported. Mrs. Staff may be pardonably proud of her beautiful exhibits, which form quite a conservatory of rare exotics. , . , Messrs. Curcier and Adet appear to bo the largest colonial exhibitors of alcoholic and fermented liquors, and it really is astonishing how attractive they have succeeded in making them various stands and cases. This firm really appear to be the representatives of every winegrower, every distiller, and almost every brewer in the universe. Stupendous stands, mostly of a pyramidal form, thickly studded with choice Cognac, each bottle of which must be worth a king’s ransom, and bearing the names of Curcier and Adet, arc to be encountered in nearly every court, as well as amongst tliG colonial exhibits. The palate of tho Commissioners would be delighted with the exquisite flavour of some old French brandy of the glorious vintage of ’-18. Claret is not so generally consumed in the Australian colonies as it deserves to be; but if the bouquet of some Chateau Margeaux were inhaled, the converts to this class of wines would be numerous. The very labels on the bottles are suggestive of the exquisite wines contained in them—Haut, Brion, Emilion, Chateau Falmer, and a thousand other equally well-known vintages are shown by Messrs. Curcier and Adet, who also exhibit whole cargoes of bottled beers and porters, the latter including the well-known and justly esteemed bull-dog brand. Mr. Price Williams, of Franklyn-street, exhibits a press for wool. Air. Williams has given conclusive evidence that his mental faculties have not been wool-gathering during the two decades which he has spent in the Australian colonies. The press under notice has evidently been perfected after considerable study, added to a leuthened practical experience, and the result is stated by those whose opinion is worthy of consideration as being highly satisfactory. Mr. Williams’ press is easily found, being situated in the annexe facing Eathdownestreet, and will amply repay inspection. The machine appears to be very little removed from automatic in its working, and evidently is a great saver of labour. Apparently two operatives are quite sufficient to pack the wool, and, indeed, all the attendants have to do is to sew the bales. Instead of the old fashioned manner of the required pressure being obtained by the slow process of the screw, a heavy ram very rapidly ‘‘dumps the W< Th'e ram weighs six cwt., and presents large teeth on two opposite sides, which gears between two heavy pinions. On the same shaft as one of these pinions a powerful spur wheel is fixed, driven by a pinion and a large rope pulley, over which is an endless rope, working from the floor, which has the effect of bringing the “monkey down in 20 seconds, delivering a pressure of 45 tons on the bale if required. In fact, the whole time occupied in pressing a bale is from two to three minutes. The upper travelling box having a false bottom, greatly facilitates the work of the men in charge of the press. AH the movements of the machine are instantaneous, and are so simple that a couple of boys of ordinary intelligence can W Alcock and Co. have a rare exhibit of billiard boards and accessories. Come, to-night, we will have a game. Let us to billiards ! . H. Lording shows a pretty fancy dressing table, of Australasian woods. McLean Bros, and Rigg, of course, give us a treat in folding chairs, garden seats, luncheon tables, aud so forth. , ~ , .. .. J. Greenwich, of Pelham-streot, Carlton, exhibits a fine blackwood veneered suite of furniture. J. Plumridge, of Bridge-road, Richmond, sends some strong and well-finished cane chairs. > Then there are bedsteads and beds, in which one feels as though he could sleep for a century,, so somnolent is their influence, and tables and chairs, and sideboards of great variety and exquisite finish. Upholstery and decoration work .take a prominent place in Victorian exhibits. W. H. Rocke and Co. have a splendid stand. Whitelaw and Blair send some fine mirrors, brackets, cornices, &c. , ■. E. Slater, of Hawthorn, contributes some cosy arm-chairs. , , ~ ~ Cohen Bros, have a good show of fumituie. J. Moore and Son show some specimens or decorative paintings on glass. E. Kemp, of Nicholson-street, has some fine samples of painted decorative panels. M’Leau and Rigg show some spring mattresses, that send you to sleep to look at. • ■ Then we have a splendid collection of pottery, glass, carpets, rugs, cutlery, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ work, bronzes, clocks, watches, perfumery, aud leatherwork. The textile fabrics of clothing shown form a most interesting branch of the exhibits. Some blankets, the handiwork or prisoners at Pentridge, are splendid samples. Poor fellows! They who made them, and who contributed to the success of our show, ■ will see nothing of the matter. . , The Castlemaine Woollen Company send some ■ yam and woollen goods of splendid quality. The Albion Woollen Mill Company, at Geelong, contribute some fine samples of plamand fanej -tweeds. The Barwon Woollen Mill, sends a fine variety of tweeds, blankets, yarns, Ac. Iho Doveton Woollen Mill, Ballarat, exhibit tweeds, broadcloth^&c. The Victorian Woollen and Cloth Manufacturing Company. Geelong, have a magnificent show of flannels, blankets, serge, cloth, &o. We are glad to see extensive exhibits of silk, convinced that this is an industry peculiarly adapted to Victoria. Raw silk and cocoons, manufactured Sk.fabrics, &c., are shown in tolerable abundance. Mr Timbrell is to the fore in these matters. Shawls, lace, and embroidery are also shown.