NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2822, 11 April 1882, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

OPENING OF THE

[By Our Special Keporter.]

. About forty of us assembled on the Station yesterday morning at five o’clock-in a general state of sloppiness, and taking our seats in the damp carriages tried to persuade one another that it was “ jolly.” As we proceeded the weather began to show some signs of clearing up. Flasks, sandwiches, and other portable creature comforts were produced, and as we neared Christchurch we began to trim ourselves; up and counteract, as much as possible, our limp appearance. We, found the city and its suburbs early astir, and an investigation of the Terminus Hotel, on our arrival, with a view to breakfast, satisfied us that if wo were unfortunate enough to want a bed' in the good city of Christchurch during this carnival week, we should probably continue to want. , Ex uno disce omnes. I am credibly informed that every hostelry in the city is similarly situated. Fortunate Boniface I The sunshine in which the proverbial hay is made is just now focussed direct upon thee. From the station to Cathedral Square the place was alive with people, and everywhere the various streets wero enlivened by banners, emblems, and regalia, which seemed to float like visions on the horizon'. I encountered several “ oldest inhabitants ” and their blank, staggered expression of countenance indicated that nothing like this had ever occurred within their experience. Groups of military men of all arms, cavalry, artillery, infantry, and the Naval Brigade, imparted an unwonted liveliness to the scene. The fairer portion of the spectators, too, had not omitted to heighten their natural : charms ;(and in some cases their natural 'ugliness) by elaborate dress and startling coiffure. Bands of music, military and itinerary, enlivened the air with wondrous melodies. By ten o’clock the weather had so far settled that reasonable expectations could be entertained of sunshine, expectations which I* rejoice to say were amply realised. Butfor the dirt udder foot (which owing to : a loqg continuance of steady fain, was top:abundant) there was nothing to complain of and the afternoon was marked by a glorious sunshine, tempered by a genial breeze. Tram bars, running at frequent intervals from Cathedral (Square, cabs and traps of every description bore out to the Exhibition building, a steady stream of sightseers ; and thousands: lined the footpaths o,n foot, all in the direction of the' great show. The procession, Which was forming from half-past 8 in the.morning, came to a head inCranmer Square between 9 and 10, and took up the following order: —

Austrian Band. ,■ Plasterers ; Bricklayers Hibernian Band, ‘ Hibernians Butchers Carpenters Ashburton Rifle Band. Druids ■ Sailors' Sons of Temperance \ '■ Lyttelton Band. , Oddfellows,,M.U. Oddfellows, A.C. i •, Burnham Band. i , Orangemen <; - Protestant Alliance- ■ 1 Laborers’ Union Stonemasons Carriers ■ Saddlers ; St. Andrews’ Band. Ironworkers Good Templars, E.C. ■ Maoris ■ ' Foresters’ Band. Foresters Good Templars, A.C. Eire Brigades 5 Briokmakefs Timaru Artillery Band. Ballastmeri (Timaru) ; Drainage Board Milkmen. It was generally expected that 4000 persons would take part in the procession bat is certain that ■ very nearly, 5000 actually presented themselves. It was certainly the longest procession ever seen in New Zealand, and it represented every grade and de partment of human industry and associatibn that could well be mentioned. Sashes, emblems, ribbons, banners, and devices, far too numerous and too complicated to be mentioned in detail gave a pictorial aspect to the whole, and the variegated appearance of the procession was striking. It will not appear invidious if I single out one or two peculiarly noticeable features for special mention, for indeed l am only echoing the general comment of the onlookers. First of‘all , facile’princeps, came the Austrian Band. Your Timaru readers know what that body can do, and I need do : no more than mention them. The Foresters’ Band was particularly ad mired; the muster of the Druids added a picturesque feature to the procession ; the Hibernians and Orangemen and trades mustered in good force, and the Fire Brigades made a very fine display. At 11.20 the Governor and suite reached the building and he lost no time in entering -in mediae ret. There was the usual “ present arms ” by the military, the reception, the dignified walk up, the dignified sit down, and the affable reception of various civilities, and the Governor, _ amid the boom of artillery, the strains of bands and the huzzas of the assembled spectators, assumed the seat' of honor. His 'staff consisted, besides his A.D.0., of the Captain, and two or three lieutenants, and a midshipman of H.M.S. Miranda, several 1 of whose men were ashore on leave in the afternoon and whose splendid marine artillery were admired by everybody. When His Excellency was seated, the energetic promoter Mr joubert, presented him with an address of which the following is a copy. “ May it Please your Excellency.

“ The master idea of that illustrious Prince, whose every thought was for the highex education aod advancement of his adopted country, has borne such abundant fruit amongst all the most civilized nations, and especially in Great Britain itself, that it is how almost unnecessary to defend the principles of an International Exhibition, or to point out the manifold advantages which such an undertaking offers, both to the exhibitors who take part in it, and to the country in which it is held. In these Industrial congresses, each country and each manufacturer learn to guago their achievemei. °nd capacities, and obtain a criterion of the merits of their productions. New channels of industry and cor are opened up, and those already existing are widened and deepened. To a young settlement there are special advantages in the bringing of its traders into more direct communication with the produces of other countries; the calling of the atten tion of foreign capitalists, traders, and working men to its products, resources, and capabilities; and the opportunity

afforded to the colonists in general, and more'particularly to the manufacturing and artizan classes, of observing the progress of colonization, as shown in improved manufactures and new inventions.- Although this Exhibition should be an aid to the revenue by causing additional railway traffic, and an increased consumption of dutiable goods, we venture to claim that its ultimate advantages to the colony and people of New Zealand will bear comparison with those which Victoria and New South Wales have purchased at a cost of over a quarter of a million apiece, and that independent of the temporary stimulus which the presence of so many visitors must give to the trade of Christchurch, this Exhibition will be followed by an era of prosperity similar to that which is now so conspicuous, not only at Sydney and Melbourne, where the Exhibitions were carried out by the Government, but more particularly in Adelaide and Western Australia, where we initiated Exhibitions on the co-operative system. The buildings in which you now stand cover an area of 4£ acres, the main structure being 678 ft x 282 f t; and we would call your Excellency’s attention to the fact, that, proportionately to the population of the city in which it is held, this Exhibition is by far the largest on record.' In spite of the short time allowed for , preparations, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, America, China, Japan, India, and the Australian Colonies, have all contributed representative specimens of such products as they are able to exchange with those of New Zealand ; while the representation of Great Britain (occupying more than one-third of the main building, and three-fourths of the machinery annexes) must be gratifying to every colonial as a proof of the estimation in which New Zealand is held in the Mother Country. Nor will the least interesting portion of this world’s display bo the New Zealand court, occupying nearly onehalf of the main building, and exceeding in every respect any collections of ! the industries of a British colony that have ever been got together. The art and machinery department of the Exhibition will, we trust, prove of special value. To your Excellency and the Government our thanks are due for much kindly assistance, and together with the Domain Board for the loan of this beautiful site, our appreciation of which we have striven to show by erecting buildings more substantial and ornamental than was strictly necessary to our purpose. To the Exhibition Committee is largely owing the splendid representation of New Zealand industries, and we are glad to have this opportunity of expressing our gratitude for the cordial support we have received from the Mayor and City Council of Christchurch, and the ready aid that has been afforded us by all the colonists with whom wo have come in contact, and more especially by the Press and the people of Canterbury. We would also beg your Excellency to convey to Commodore Erskine our thanks for the presence of the captain and officers and crew of H.M.S. Miranda on this occasion, and hope that he will be able to carry out his kindly expressed wish to be present in Lyttelton waters before the close of the Exhibition. The deep interest which the Queen has always taken in similar undertakings elsewhere has induced usio follow the custom at all previous Exhibitions held in her dominions, and to ask you to be so kind as to forward to Her Majesty this gold medal struck to-day within this building as a token of the heartfelt loyalty of New Zealand, and of the love which we all have to our most gracious Sovereign.” His Excellency the Governor then read a lengthy reply, as follows Gentleman The benefits, both material and educational, conferred by Exhibitions of such a character as this which you have organised, have been long and very generally recognised ; far too generally for it to be necessary that I should now dwell on them. I know of no reason why the Exhibition held here should prove less useful than those which have proceeded it in other colonies ; and I confidently anticipate that advantage well ,be derived from it, not only by those more immediately concerned in the undertaking, but by the colony at large. New Zealand it is true, requires no adventitious aid to secure attention from without. The attractions of her climate, the fertility of her soil, her mineral wealth, the vast field she offers to agricultural and pastoral enterprise, are all well known. Nevertheless I have no doubt that many of the strangers who may repair here to visit the Exhibition, will not be prepared to find New Zealand what she is, and will see with surprise the display in this building of her productions, which, you have just told us, “exceed in every respect any collection of the industries of a British Colony that has ever been gathered together.” ' On the other hand, many a man who has passed his whole life in New Zealand will be gratified and instructed by the sight of objects from distant lands, whether natural products or articles of manufacture on which his eyes might otherwise never have rested, and may learn from what he sees here, to appreciate more justly other countries and races and to take a broader view of life, industry, and progress, under other conditions than those with which be is himself familiar. When the first International Exhibition was opened in 1851, the founders of the Province of Canterbury had jnst arrived in their new home, and had they been told that thirty years afterwards on exhibition similar to that which drew crowds from all parts of the world would be held on these then bare and desolate plains, and that space for their wares would be eagerly demanded in it by exhibitors from all parts of Europe, from the United States, from India and Japan (an empire at that time jealously sealed against the intrusion of a single foreigner or the egress of any of its own people), they would have laughed to scorn what would have seemed to, them but an enthusiastic vision. Yet this has come to pass, and that this place should have been selected by you as that most suitable in which to bold the first international exhibition which has taken place in New Zealand, is a proof of the wise forethought of those who planned and founded this fair city, and of the energy and sagacity of those who have succeeded them in the administration of its affairs, while it also testifies to the rapid devolopemont of the resources of the adjacent country, and the enterprise of those who have covered it with crops of grain, and made it the homo of a large and industrious population. On behalf of the colony I bid the foreign exhibitors and all visitors to the Exhibition a hearty welcome; that they will bo cordially received hp" ft by the Mayor, Corporation, and citizens of Christchurch I know, and that to whatever part of the colony they repair they will have no cause to complain of the hpspitnlity of New Zealand 1 am very confident. 1 do not doubt that they wilbbc well pleased by what they see here, and when they return home it will, I believe, bo with an increased sense of the resources and attractions of New Zealand. The energy displayed by you,

as the promotors of this enterprise, has been such as to exclude even the thought of failure. I sincerely trust that the bold experiment you have undertaken may be rewarded by, in every respect, as full a measure of success as you could yourselves possibly desire. As sincerely do I hope that the exhibitors may find that the trouble they have taken, and risk they have incurred in bringing valuable and fragile goods here from great distances, may not have been bestowed or encountered in vain. It will afford me much pleasure to forward to the Queen the medal just placed in my hands. I know that Her Majesty takes the deepest interest in such enterprises as this, inseparably associated as they over must be with the name of the late Prince Consort; nor will it be the less welcome to her as coming from a colony, the loyal congratulations of whose people on her recent escape from danger she has warmly {acknowledged and will not hastily forget. I now formally declare the Exhibition open.” On this the invited, who were seated in the body of the Art Gallery had a moment or two in which to look round upon the scene. The Volunteers were drawn up to form a guard on each side of the Main Avenue, and the effect as one looked down the vista into the ground outside was exceedingly striking. The walls around were hung with costly and beautiful pictures of every description, and the auditorium was crowded to suffocation with an attentive but select audience, comprising an immense number of ladies. At the bottom of the avenue of soldiers was the dais screened by the tasteful banners of the various societies, and occupied by the gubernatorial party, and such leading persons as were admitted to the society of His Excellency, and around the distinguished group stood a guard of honor of the College cadets. Facing and looking down upon the dais, at the upper end of the same hall was the Music Gallery, occupied by the Austrian Band and a crowd of vocalists, the best that Christchurch could produce. Suddenly the excellent band of the Eailway struck up the march composed by its leader, Mr Hamilton, to whom His Excellency tendered his personal acknowledgements. After a short interval those in the gallery prepared for action. One chord struck by the Austrian Band was the signal for immediate and expectant silence, broken in a moment by the sweet and delicate w Lobesang ”of Mendelsohn. It was rather too long for the occasion, but I must say that the rendering of it was well worthy of the applause which at the close was liberally bestowed. The solos especially were quite beyond the range of most amateur performances and obtained the heartiest enconiums. They were given by Miss Fairbank in a clear exquisite soprano, and Mr Appleby in fine tenor. This ended, amidst the delightful strains of instrumental music His Excellency retired from the dais, and made a cursory examination of the building, being conducted round it by the promotors. A hasty look at the building and its contents was all that time permitted me to make, and it is quite out of the question that I should attempt to offer your readers anything like a detailed description of it. To the pressure of time your readers may in imagination add the pressure of a vast crowd that from morning till evening never ceased to throng the building, The Exhibition building is a huge quadrilateral structure of wood and corrugated iron. Entering at the main doorway the visitor finds himself in a spacious vestibule, from which radiate the passages containing the various courts. That leading in a straight line from the entrance is the art gallery. In the open space on either side are exhibited implements and vehicles of every description and the passages are devoted to the courts. The building itself is as yet unfinished, and a great number of the exhibits have not been unpacked, or have not actually arrived. Nor have the courts been sufficiently indicated to enable the visitor on this occasion to go through them with any sort of system. This is being remedied daily, and had everything been in the most forward state, the immense concourse of spectators in the morning, and the ebb and flow of crowds during the afternoon and evening would have rendered it almost impossible to acquire a satisfactory knowledge of the Exhibition. I made some little progress, however, in a cursory examination of them until, in an unlucky moment, I purchased a catalogue and thence forward I was lost altogether,so much so that I pocketed it in disgust, and determined to rely solely on my own hasty .memoranda. I do hot disparage the catalogue. It is an excellent work. But the issue of it is premature, and it will not serve the natural purpose of a catalogue until several departments have been plainly lettered and otherwise indicated. Judging from the present appearance of the courts and of the various stalls, and the number of spaces allotted, but as yet unfilled, as well as from the numbers of packages that lie unopened. I should say the Exhibition, in the course of a week or tea days, will make a grand show. In minerals there are a number of specimens of New Zealand coal. In building stone there are some remarkably fine specimens of dressing, and of marbles, fire-clay, slate, tile, and pottery, there is an endless assortment ; and some very interesting specimens of gold, lead, copper, silver, &c., in the ore are shown.

The timbers, too, as will be imagined, make a very fine show indeed. I cannot, however, in this notice specify everything. Your columns will probably contain further detailed references to the Exhibition and in this communication I shall confine myself to mention, without regard to their order, the points which most struck me on passing. Perhaps I ought to dispose of the only unfavorable comment I have to make, as it is one in which my brother journalists are all agreed. The Press room, was expected to be a sort of snug haven of rest, whenc- the busy scribe might command a vi- v of the entire building and goings-on of his fellow-creatures. But no such provision is made. You ascend a staircase and find yourself in a gallery looking down (not even into the inner vestibule, but) into the outer Court of the Gentiles, where the money-changers, ticket collectors, et hoc genua omne, are plying their vocation. Provision is made for an unlimited supply of fresh air, which comes in in a, body through the great entrance, and through innumerable chinks and crannies. Probably this provision is made on some sound sanitary principle. I am quite willing to believe it is intended as auj antifebrile. But Pegasus could stand a little more stabling. However, this is counterpoised in a great measure by the uniform courtesy and kindness of the promoters and their energetic (secretary, to whom I am sure every Press man will consider himself beholden And now let us return to our survey of the exhibits. The Maori display consists of sundry live specimens of the race, and a good display of mats, weapons, &c. The Japanese Court is well worth seeing. It is stocked with some very handsome and beautiful articles, though the assortment is not a numerous one. The Italian and French 1

Coarts are chiefly remarkable for the display of jewellery, filagree work, and elegant knick-knacks.

The display of produce, both agricultural products not used for food, and alimentary products is very complete and interesting. What interested me most of all, however,was the display of iron and steel manufactures. In this department there is a magnificent display, no mean portion of it being furnished by the various iron workers of the colony. The New Zealand portion of this class is very fine indeed and gives proof of an advanced condition of iron industry of which we may justly be proud. The specimens furnished by home-makers are superb and a treat to look at. The same may be said of Messrs Nettlefolds’ huge fanciful device exhibiting all possible varieties of nails, screws, and such like useful articles. . The Telegraph Maintenance Company of England also exhibit a very interesting display of specimens of telegraph construction, including portions of the various cables in existence.

There is a little bay which nobody can go by without shortening sail, at least, to look in. It is devoted to industrial exhibits by school children and contains a heap of sterling proofs of the industry of busy little fingers that are pleasant to look upon, and I was glad to see it attracted quite a large gathering of visitors. At the ladies court your bashful correspondent drew up and debated within himself whether he could be fairly expected to investigate that in the pursuance of his duties, and whether, supposing his conscience smote so sorely as to drive him in, he could ever do anything in the way of describing, but make a complete hash of it. At length I conceived the following sketch which I hope will serve to make it attractive to your fair readers. The ladies’ court when I saw it, was full of fair critics and gazers, a bewildering assortment of blondes and brunettes and mouse-colored, whose rippling laugh and murmuring chat—that’s a good expression !—made the court quite a bird cage. There was exhibited a great variety of articles, comprehended only of the female mind, of the uses and beauty of which I have not the remotest idea. I remember one thing by name, crewel work, and on that I take ray stand. I don’t know what crewel work is, but it is very beautiful, and 1 am prepared to back this crewel work against all the crewel work ever produced in the world. Crewel work —I hope your fair readers will thank, fully remember crewel work, for it has cost me infinite pains to batch oat this little egg of news for them. The implements that are in the open spaces outside, would take a day to describe in detail with accuracy. I must not omit to mention the refreshment bays, which form harbors of refuge for tired sightseers. Mr Quill, the enterprising licencee of Ashburton has, I understand, paid £IOOO for the privilege of catering ; and judging from yesterday’s display, I think he means to deal wisely and well by the public, in offering real and reasonable refreshments to suit everyone, and not pushing forward his liquor too obtrusively and exclusively. I think I have now given your readers as fair an outline of the Exhibition as I can considering the limits of time and space, and the incomplete state of the internal arrangements; and I trust I have also said sufficient to induce every one to visit it on the first opportunity. It is a great national monument of progress of which every true New Zealander ought to be proud. We want no ridiculous comparisons such as ignorant witless coxcombs, just landed, seem to think it their mission to institute. We do not claim that our display will stand comparison with those of the old world. What we do say and maintain is, that our being able to gather together so many evidences of industry and art from among our own population is a grand and con vincing evidence that our progress is real and sound. Therefore, success to the Exhibition of 1882! With one or two minutiae that seem to me worthy of passing notice. I shall conclude. The absence of the Otago Volunteers, rightly or wrongly, struck me as significant of the continuance “ down there” of the provincial jealousy and exclusiveness. However they were justly punished. The elements that forbore to spoil the show, did not forbear to extinguish their review. Had those gallant fellows been in Christchurch they would have had some fun at least. By stopping at home in surly mood they lost all enjoyment. The Christchurch shopkeepers have never been so amiable before, the tobacconists are making rapid fortunes and the cab, 'bus. and tram proprietors, are already bloated capitalists. The Cathedral might have done something towards the day’s proceeding, by setting its chimes to work* But they were mute: only at five o’clook the big bell began to toll, for no apparent reason, and without anything joyous or suggestive of joy, in its tone. The streets between one or two presented a strange and unwonted appearance. Along one street comes, at the quick step, a detachment of scarlet coats, (Oamaru boys) down the middle of the road. In another street comes a cadet corps, here appear in view the T.A.Y. again, at at another turn a squadron of cavalry, the whole imparting an appearance of garrison life to the city. In the afternoon the warriors laid aside their arms and allowed themselves to be solaced by the tender passion, Or the “ flowing bowl," as their inclination or opportunity might prompt them. On the whole the Volunteers seem to quite enjoy themselves, and as far as 1 had opportunity of observing the behaviour of them was most creditable. I tried to count the number of inebriated civilians I met in the streets, but I had to give it up. At 7.50 it was time to bid adieu and a great crowd assembled on the platform to witness the departure of a good number of southerners, who were thoroughly sated with enjoyment,. The train bore us along in quick stylo through the darkness, and at half past twelve we drew up alongside the Timaru platform only to find the town still in a state of drizzle. I hope the Railway Department will repeat the day-trip experiment at a further reduced fare, and I venture to say that it would be the most successful experiment ever made by them. Xastly, I wish to acknowledge, on behalf of my fellow-passengers, and on my own, the rattling spaed at which we were bowled along on both journeys. [I have made no reference beyond a slight one, incidentally, to the Art G-allory. I reserve it for separate notice on a future occasion, for it is really worth a day’s work to inspect].