THE EXHIBITION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 272, 22 August 1872, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

The Exhibition, according to notice, was opened yesterday evening at seven o’clock. The committee only started to work to arrange the exhibits in the morning, and worked hard all day, and with great success, as in the evening St. George’s Hall presented really a beautiful appearance, and one wondered how every - thing was put in order at so short a notice. The articles exhibited are varied, and so numerous that it would be -a matter of impossibility for us to give anything like a complete list of even the principal objects, but we purpose, during the next few days, to fill up any omissions which may occur in to-day’s report. The hall was very well lighted, and everything was shown to the best advantage. Shortly after 7 o’clock Captain Fraser ascended the platform and took the chair, he being accompanied by Mr Hurst, the Provincial Treasurer. The Chairman said that he was glad to see so many people brought together on this occasion, which was the first of the kind that had taken place at the Thames. Whether or not those who had the management of affairs considered it a success he did not know, but he was of opinion that it was most satisfactory. He was very glad to find that Mr Hurst was to follow him, as he did not feel able to say very much on the occasion, and he felt sure that that gentleman would do ample justice to the subject. Mr Hurst then rose, and after stating that he was very proud to have been called to deliver an address on the occasion, but wished that the task had been placed in better hands, he said : “If man individually is destined to exercise an influence in society, either for good or evil, how much more so must Associations of this and a kindred nature do so ? Rightly to estimate the privileges the present generation enjoy in the pursuit of knowledge, it is well to recall the difficulties under which former ones sought it. Contrast its former conservative character as being confined to the hand of a few who, from the cells of a Monastry, gave occasionally on momentous subjects but faint utterances compared with its present liberal one, as exemplified in Exhibitions such as the present. Our immediate fathers have bequeathed to us the torch of knowledge, burning brightly with such important discoveries as the steam engine and telegraph ; are we going to hand it to our children without adding to its lustre ? If so, not for want of scope, for what student does not feel that the life-time of the world’s discoveries is but as the child throwing pebbles into the vast ocean yet before it. Are not men’s minds now busy seeking either by electricity or some other agency to supplant the present costly motive power. Then, again, geology and chemistry subjects, I should imagine, of more than ordinary interest as affects the prosperity of your more immediate industry, has not practically in this district dispelled the theories of some of our pet geologists, whilst it is in the mouth of every one that for want of knowing better, a quarter, if not more, of the gold procured at such cost is allowed to pass away. Whilst it might be right for me to avail myself of this opportunity to express congratulations to the people of this younger sister of Australian goldfields upon the industry and enterprise which in so short a time has created such a large gold return, besides erecting those enormous works for the permanent development of the field, yet I am sure I should be wrong did I fail to express the indebtedness of the province to the people of the Thames for their generous support to an institution of this valuable character, as well asto the honorary officers and Committee, who cannot have succeeded in erecting a most suitable building and filling this one so tastefully with the interesting and instructing collection we have around us, without much patient thought and arduous toil.

As we said before, the room looked very well, and was well lighted. The first objects likely to catch the visitor’s eye were the two pyramids representing the amount ef gold and silver respectively which have been obtained from the Thames Goldfield from its opening in August, 1867, to the present time. That representing the amount of gold measures 3 feet 8 inches at the base, and is 12 feet 6 inches in height, equal in weight to 694,0000 z. The silver pyramid is 2 feet 7 inches at the base and 8 feet high, representing a weight of 16,5940 z. This is the total amount, of silver which has been separated from the gold in Auckland before it was exported. Close to the door is a large tomb-rail manufactured by Mr H. Fisher, of the Thames, and inside of it is a font manufactured from Hape Creek stone by Mr Buchanan, which shows to what alarge extent the stone can be worked, as the font is a handsome piece of work. There is also a slab of stone sent by the Mount Sorrel Company which is the first stone cut by steam power in New Zealand, and which will answer admirably for flagging, etc. A flax machine manufactured by Messrs A. and G. Price, of Grahamstown, was on view and is a very neat piece of work. Messrs Price have, we understand, Bent a great number of these machines to different parts of New Zealand, and a good demand for them exists. Mr Dsur, Upholsterer, of Pollenstreet, exhibits two splendid chests of drawers, the one manufactured from Sydney Cedar, and the other from mottled Kauri, as well as a very handsome cheffonier, Jmade partly from cedar and partly from mahogany. A cabinet, of knuri, containing a collection of shells is sent by Mr R. Mfllett; and a handsome large book case manufactured by Mr Thompson, of Polleu-street. There is a telegraph apparatus, which will be in working order this afternoon, under the supervision of Mr Severn, who also exhibits an electrical machine, of large dimensions, made by himself, and a patent amalgam squeezer, also his own invention, which effects an immense saving in time and labour. Some crude petroleum, from Taranaki, is sent in by Mr Carter. Mr Walker contributes a large collection of artistic architectural designs, as well as a beautiful lot of beetles, butterflies, wetas, centipedes, and other insects. Mr Noble shows some natural curiosities, one of which consists of two boles of a rata tree, growing close to-

gether, which are hollow. In each of these is a stuffed kingfisher, as if looking out of its nest. It is certainly quite a natural curiosity, and is beautifully got up. Mr Noble also exhibits one or two other interesting objects. A handsome inlaid table, made by Mr‘Ludlow, from various woods, is well worthy of inspection. The Auckland Institute have sent down 40 different boxes, each made from a different native wood, containing a piece of the bark of the tree, and a leaf. Mr J. JW Walker has sent a fine collection of photographic views; and also two handsome small-bore rifles, which have both in their time done good service at the butts. Mr W. C. Wright exhibits' a case of stuffed native birds, and Mr Madden has also sent several very excellent specimens of birds, amongst which is a four-legged duck. Colonial soap, from Neal and Close’s manufactory, at Napier, is also to be seen on one of tho tables, as well as numerous samples of flax fibre. Some Hemalite paint, from Nelson, is on view. Mr Wm. White, of Auckland, sends in a carving in wood of a combat between a tiger and an alligator, which is very well done. Mr John Masters exhibits a case of metals and ores from the field, containing pure gold, pure silver, pure copper, and pure lead. The copper comes from ore from the Kuranui mine, and the lead from the Silver Crown mine, Tararu. The specimens, especially the silver, are very handsome, the gold being worth £4 4s 10£d per ounce. A large junk of pure virgin copper, from the Lake Superior mine, is exhibited by Mr Hales. Messrs Brown and Barrett, of the Auckland Steam Coffee Mills, show a splendid collection of coffee and chicory, one parcel of which was grown in Auckland, and is excellent in quality. The coffee comes fram the Islands, from Java, Mocha, and elsewhere, and are shown in a raw and roasted state. Cloves, nutmegs, mace, cinnamon, mixed spices, etc., are all to be seen, and are tastefully arranged. Being a local industry, these exhibits are well worthy of notice. Preserved meat, by Mr Dornwell, is shown in great variety ; and also some of the patent “ rock render,” from Port Chalmers, warranled to blow everything to “ glory.” Cordials are well represented, Mr Maginn having a _ large stock on.view;, and also Mr Gledhill, of Auckland. Nelson wines, from Sinith and Co., of Nelson, are to be seen ; and the New Zealand Distillery Company, at Dunedin, exhibit spirits of different sorts. Mr Ballin shows locally made curagoa, and also Royal Bengal sauce, which is very good in quality and flavour. Olson’s tomato sauce is also represented, and its qualities are well enough known without oar saying anything about it. Mr Austin, of Parawai, exhibits some excellent looking pickled cucumbers. Messrs A. J. Burns and Co., of Dunedin, have sent up samples of yarns, tweeds, blankets, etc., manufactured by them, the latter especially being of excellent quality. Two violins and a guitar, manufactured by Mr Patterson, grocer, of the Beach Road, Grahamstown, are especially worthy of notice, having been made by that gentleman with very few tools, we are informed. Messrs Mennie and Dey have a very handsome mottled kauri case, filled with various kinds of biscuits, which our reporter informs us are of most excellent quality, especially the cracknells. How he found this out he declines to tell, but he assures us that it is a fact. Messrs R. F. and T. G. Sandes exhibit two cases containing petrifactions and encrustations from the Hot Springs, near Rotorua, some of which are very handsome indeed, and very curious. A magnificent silver eup, made by Mr Alghren, of Ovven-street, Grahamstown, is on view, the stem of which represents the trunk of a Pungapunga tree, and the leaves of which are beautifully formed. At the base of the cup are several small ferns and a flax bush all equally well done. The collection of pictures is large, the principal of which are from the brush of Mr Hannaford, that representing the “ Source of the Otira,” and which has gained the prizes at the Australian Exhibitions, being of course the principal one. The remainder of the pictures we will notice to morrow, as also many other things of great interest. The Industrial Gazette was published in the hall, the proprietors of the Evening Star having sent down a printing press for the purpose. They showed a very large collection of samples of various kinds of printing ’ and cards. The Gazette is edited by the “ Intelligent Vagrant,” and is sold at the rate of 6d per copy, the proceeds of which go to the benefit of the Institute Over 100 copies were sold last night. The con tents are all original matter, and are very amusing. The publication will be continued daily.