ASHBURTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2499, 24 March 1881, Page 2

ASHBURTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

[FHO3I OUll OWN CO U K ES PONUEXT.] [By Telegraph,j . Arhrurton, March 24. President —Edward George Wright, Esq., M'.TI.R. ; Vice-President—Hugo Friedlander, Esq., J.P, ; Managing Committee—Mr J. 0. Watson, Mr E. Pavitt, Mr F. B. Passmore, Mr C. Hardy, Mr A. M’Farlane, Mr A. E. Poaehe, Mr St. G.. Douglas, Mr T. Bullock, Mr C. P. Cox, Mr T. R. Hoddcr, MrG. Bradcll, Mr T. Mayo, Mr G. Jameson, Mr A. Harrison, Mr IT. Zander, Mr 11. W. Shearman, Mr H. C. Jacobson, Mr D. Williamson ; Treasurer —Mr Robert Eyton ; Secretary —Mr Stephen E. Poyntz. To-day has been a red-letter day in Ashburton’s calendar, and the little city of the plains has rarely, if ever, presented a, more animated appearance. The Exhibition, the cause of all .the excitement, was originally designed to be a very small affair, but owing to the numerous applications for space from outsiders it was found necessary to make the arrangements on a very much larger scale than originally proposed. The result is that the Exhibition is a most interesting one, and its success, lias far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of its promoters. The Town Hall has been converted for the nonce into the Exhibition Building, and the area covered by the exhibits, including the ground occupied by three largo marquees, erected at the side of the Hall, slightly exceeds 6,000 feet. The number of catalogued exhibits is 671, and there arc between 30 and 40 extra exhibits. Thus it will be perceived that the Exhibition is not one to be “ done” in a couple of hours pr so ; indeed tO: see it properly, it,would require at least a week. The impression conveyed on entering the building is a very pleasing one, and taking,-a.birds-eye view from the gallery of the exhibits displayed below,and comprising hundreds of objects, from the smallest knick kacck to the massive suite of furniture, the scene is like that presented by a monster or Fancy Fair. Running right across the gallery in enormous characters are the words, “Welcome to Our Exhibition.” The stage at the opposite end of the Hall has been nicely carpeted and affords room for a nice display of well-made housefurniture, comprising dining and bedroom suites from the factory of W. S. Ring of Christchurch and which carried off the first award for merit. At the other end, and underneath the gallery is a large collection of furniture manufactured by A. ' J. White, of Christchurch, and including some drawingroom suites that for finish and elegance would not disgrace Regent-street. One of the easy chairs belonging to this furniture has been covered by Mi’s A. A. Shury with beautiful wool-work, made by herself. This is, of course, for exhibition only. These exhibits justly earned a ’ first award of merit. A semi-circular counter runs round the entire length of the front of the stage, and is covered with pretty things innumerable. In the centre of this counter is a large glass case containing some beautiful specimens of the jewellers’ art, manufactured by the exhibitor, A. Blytt, Christchurch. Mr R. Murray, of Ashburton, shows several well-finished skeleton time pieces, and, what is more interesting, a collection of articles illustrating the various stages through which a clock has to pass from the time it leaves the blacksmith’s and moulders hands until it is ready to tick on } r our drawing room mantlepiece. The whole of . this exbi-. tor’s entries took a first award of merit to which they were certainly entitled. Hanging from the walls at either side of the stage, are a large number of photographs cartes de visitc principally, some of which are exceptionally good as works of art. Amongst these latter are some of the permanent carbon photos taken on opal, which for clearness and delicacy of tone it would be difficult to excel. G. F. Henry, of Ashburton, took second honor for some really good cartes. A large number of oil paintings, oleographs, water color sketches, etchings, and drawings in crayons adorn the walls o.f the building, and considerably enhance the general effect. ’ Many of the paintings have been clone by local amateur artists,and are very creditable productions, taking them altogether, notably those from the brush of Mr C. Bourke, who, we are informed, never took a drawing lesson in his life. Four largo stalls, bristling with cx-

liibits, and running parallel to each other across the hall from side to side, demand the Visitor’s' The first of these starting from the east end of the hall*-, is occupied with a most tempting display of confectionery, comprising -biscuits, cakes,' and some delicious looking-bread. In these exhibits A. Thiele (a local mail) took first, and A. 0, Aitkeu (also of Ashburton) and .1. H. Christie, of Christchurch, second honors. “ Convenient ” to the, cakes,- as Pat would say, V. Almao, the Dunedin hatter, has a pleasing display of “ thatches ” of the newest and most alluring shapes. As a border to this stand Scaley Bros., gardeners, of -Ashburton, contribute a number of choice pot plants, which have a very pretty effect. The next stand is entirely devoted to boots and shoes of colonial and local manufacture. Toomer Bros., Christchurch, show some excellent samples, ranging from the heavy “ cross-country ” boot to the dainty little kid article, destined, to adorn perhaps, when the Exhibition is over, the pedal extremities of some Ashburton belle; Lightbaud, Allan, and Co. show a nice collection of boots and shoes, and divide second honqrs with T. Chambers, a local manufacturer. The next stand is likely, to be of special interest to the ladies, for it is well stocked with a choice assortment of blankets, fancy drapery and haberdashery, while two or three most recherche costumes for ladies’ wear reflect credit on tho exhibitors and manufacturers, Orr and Co., of Ashburton. Some of the blankets and flannels are from the celebrated Roslyn Factory, and were manufac tured expressly to the order of the exhibitors. They secured a first order of merit, as did the haberdashery, &c. This stand also contains a nice assortment of corsets, shoulder belts, straps, and underclothing from the establishment of Miss Verrall, of Ashburton. The remaining stand is devoted to the well-known Kaiapoi tweeds, of which there is an endless assortment. Samples ranging from the - thin material adapted for summer wear to the heavy cloth which looks as if it would defy the cold of Mount Cook itself. The material is present both in the, piece and made up into suits. The tweeds .were awarded a first order of merit. Some very nice Mosgiel cloths are also shown. The whole of the Kaiapoi goods, have been purchased by G. Orr and Co. Ranged around the walls are a variety of miscellaneous articles, all of which will repay inspection. Amongst these a serviceable suite of bedroom furniture, shown by W, Davis, of Ashburton, carried off first honors. Hodder and Co. show a number of sewing machines by well-known makers. Milner and Thompson show a nice lot of cottage pianofortes, and have carried off a first award. Several other pianos, American organs, and harmoniums are also shown.- MVJas. Fiddes, of Timam, obtained a second award of merit for some ornamental wire-tvork. Some carving.in wood comprising ornamental card baskets, work boxes, pen trays, inkstands &c., by G.,D. Zander, Ashburton, were greatly admired and ought to have secured a first instead of a second award of merit. Some walking slicks very grotesquely carved with penknives brought their exhibitors J. Le Frank and J. Honey, both of Mount Peel, second awards. J. J. Brown, of Ashburton, showed a wool-winder of very neat construction which carried a second honor. A really excellent bath of japanned tin ware fitted with curtains and everything complete brought its exhibitor J. Hydes, of Ashburton a first award. J. M. Cambridge, chemist, Ashburton, secured a second award for a small assortment of perfumes. Neil the Dunedin herbalist showed a nice collection of herbal remedies.

The gallery is chiefly devoted to fancy needlework and curios.of various kinds. The Misses Fitzgerald, Sanderson, and Casey carried oil the lion's share of the honors in these exhibits.

The largest of the three tents contains a big collection of grates and stoves, agricultural implements, dairy utensils, dog carts, buggies, &c., which it would be impossible to do justice to in one visit. In this tent is a very fair show of grain, in which Mr J. Bruce, of Timaru, has secured a.. fifst award for pearl barley, second award for flour, second for oatmeal, and first for Egyptian mummy wheat.

The other tents are also,, well tilled with exhibits, bat pressure on our space precludes us from dwelling at any greater length on the Ashburton Exhibition, but we hope enough has been said to show the importance of the Exhibition and the interest attaching to a visit to it. In conclusion we have to thank the energetic Secretary, Mr Poyntz, and Mr A. A. Slimy, for the kind and corteous manner in which they assisted the members of the Press and visitors from a distance, OPENING CEREMONY.. The Governor arrived shortly before 1 o’clock. The train stopped short of the platform, and opposite the Town Hall where a triumphial arch was erected. A large crowd was present, and His Excellency had an enthusiastic reception. All the public bodies were represented and the usual congratulatory addresses were read. The Exhibition was then opened. After entering the building.the Governor was presented with another address by Mr E. G. Wright,M.H.E.,on behalf of Exhibition Committee. In reply His Excellency thanked them for their kindly welcome, and expressed himself surprised with the exhibition. He was glad to see that such valuable resources were being developed. The. exhibits bore testimony to the skill and experience of the , colonists. He trusted their hopes of the future would be thoroughly realised. He then declared the exhibition formally opened. The audience sang the 2?ational Anthem and the ceremony concluded. His Excellency was afterwards entertained at a public luncheon. The town wears quite a gala appearance.