THE EXHIBITION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 274, 24 August 1872, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

Yesterday the Exhibition was even better patronised than on Thursday, over 250 having been present. Up to the present about 800 persons have visited the hall, and we anticipate that to-day this number will be considerably increased. We continue our list of the exhibits, as announced in yesterday’s issue. Mr A. Porter has sent in a nice collection of ferns; Mr Eenshaw a copy of the Bible published in the year 1578, supposed to be the oldest copy in the colony. Mr C. Harris has furnished a specimen of iron ore from the Miranda coalfields, which contains a large per centage of iron, and also a fine specimen of copper ore from the the Kuranui mine. Mr J. Goodall shows a neat case of specimsns of gold from Coromandel and the Thames, the former principally from the Kapanga mine, as well as the handsomest specimens of antimony we have yet seen on the field, from the Cure mine. “ Our Cat ” is a drawing in Crayon, and a very beautiful representation of a very domestic animal. Mrs Speight shows a handsome fern picture. Mr L Ehrenfried exhibits samples of porter bottled on the Thames. A piece of the cable, laid across Cook’s Straits, is shown by Mr Wm Laird, containing three wires. The Masons have sent in an address which has come from the pen of Mr J. H. Jackßon, and which is beautifully illuminated. It shows at the head the words “ Sir Walter Scott Lodge,” and a book with “ Holy Bible” in Roman letters across it surmounted by a triangle in gold, and faced on either side by a Unicorn and Thistle. Masonic emblems are brought in with great taste on the design, and ns a whole it is a most finished piece of penmanship. A neatly worked mat, entirely in flax, is on view, and shows to what a state of perfection this article can be brought. The telegraph, which was announced, was not at work, as Mr Severn was unable to attend, and there was no one else who understood the working of the instruments. It will, however, be at 'work this evening. A small gun, made by Mr J. S. Hart, of Grahamstown, was on view. It is a neat little weapon, and is meant to be used by a boy. It will kill a bird at 25 yards, and is made entirely in the district, the stock being of pohutakawa. An acrostic has been sent in by Mr E. Tregear, rfnd is most suitable to the occasion. It reads as follows: T lie bridal morn of science and of art H ath dawned on what was late a savage shore. A 11 blessings on their union ; ne’er to part. M ay they go onward, upward, evermore. E ach thought and deed that earnest heart and toiling hand can lend S hall add new glory to the crown of progress in the end. E nthralled in his dark soul,' the cynic lies, X antippe like, with mocking words, to prove H ow every effort of the great and wise I s nought, and nothing evil can remove. B ut we behold the veil of darkness torn. I n every clime a clearer light is born. T he nation* hail the footsteps of the morn. I n rivalry of peace, their flags shall be unfurled. 0 Id ire-provoking feuds to dark oblivion hurled N ew sunbeams from a brighter day shall beautify the world. Mr Ledger shows a fine fretting machine which can be fixed to a lathe, and will work with great ease and rapidity. The same gentleman has also sent in a knife and fork with walrus teeth handles, agato trays, tortoiseshell card tray, and an old china ornament. A table prepared by the committee of the Institute, and drawn up very nicely by Mr Nilkins, of the fluctuations of the Caledonian shares during the past and the present year, is worth more than a passing glance. A similar one represents the Thames Gold Mining Company’s shares. The Nelson hematite paints arc evidently of excellent quality, and are, we understand, a great preserver of wood and iron. A model of a lathe, and also of a beam engine made by Mr Fisher are on view. The latter, small as it is, can work by steam power. The most extraordinary specimen of gold from the reef which has ever been seen on the Thames is shown by Mr John Muir. It came from the old Beach claim some years ago, and many who see it think that it is a made specimen. This, however, is not the case, as it stands exactly as found. Two Grover and Baker sewing machines are sent by Mr J. Grigg. Messrs Spencer & Hall show a handsome compound microscope, an elegant little assay balance, some pure gold and pure silver in leaf. Mr A. F. Myers has a silver cup handsomely made, of Indian workmanship, and also a number of Chinese pictures. Mr John Mason has sent down from Auckland a specimen of greasy wool, and also a sample cleaned by a chemical process in three minutes. A handsome hair bracelet, set in gold, sent by Mr Sceats. Mrs Austin sends a handsome boquet of artificial flowers, which is to bo raffled, and half the proceeds will be given to the Institute. Mrs Manning exhibits two of her landscapes, the houses being covered with rice. The Union Sash and Door Company have sent down specimens of mouldings in very great variety. A number of clubs and other war implements of Fiji make are exhibited by Mr Hume, together with a quantity of matting, etc. Cod liver oil from Port Chalmers is exhibited by the Auckland agent, Mr John Reid. -It looks very good, but we did not sample it. A spendid full rigged ship belonging to Master Henry Murray, made here principally, is to be seen. Mr Murdock has sent a head made out of kauri gum, which shows to what a great extent this article can be worked ; it is nicely polished. Mr Leighton shows specimens of book-bind-ing in great variety, some of which is first-class work. A case of tastefully arranged seaweeds by Mrs Speight looks very pretty. The Auckland Museum have sent a number of silk weavings from Leeds. Messrs A. and J. Burns in addition to tlieir yarns, tweeds, and blankets, show a specimen of plaid than which better could not be manufactured at home. An extraordinary specimen of crystaliscd quartz and pyrites, sent in by Mr E. Hornsby, are on view. A number of gold crystals from Ballarat are sent by Mr W. Dowden. Captain Richards has a rare ▼olumn of Cruicksliank’s engravings.