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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3188, 8 May 1879, Page 2

It is a matter -of''greater importance than many suppose that this colony should be* well represented at the forthcoming Sydney International Exhibition. From the rapid progress in commerce and in ■ development of its; natural: resources that this colony has made during the last few years, taere is good reason to believe that, before the end of this century, it will have shot ahead of its neighbours, and will occupy the position of premier colony of the Australasian group. Nothing would more assist the advancement of the. Colony, and give others a knowledge of its resources than beiDg well represented at the international exhi bitions, where its products—animai, vegetable and mineral —would be brought into/competition and contest; with the productions of other countries. In the case of the Thames we could npt.show much, except our mineral products, and, perhaps, our timber of which a good show? could be made. Specimens of auriferous quartz, coal from the Miranda,: clay from various localities, kauri and other, woods from our forests, and kauri gum, might all be sent-to represent the productions of this district | while beer; and machine made biscuits would give our 'Australian friends a taste of our quality as manufacturers. Dr Hector, the .Chairman of the i New Zealand Commissioners, baa a very farorableopinionof thomaterialsobtainable Lon'tlie Thames for pottery'purposes, and v Mr W\ Plant, whose efforts as an amateur potter we favorably noticed some days ago,■;,if . he; can obtain spine pecuniary assistance from the Central.. Board of I Commissioners, intends manufacturing some articles of pottery from clay obtainable on the Thames,, Mr John Calder and several other gentlemen, artists of ' considerable ability, 'might be induced to contribute specimens of ■ their skill to the picture-gallery of the Exhibition. As we have already intimated, the Central Commissioners have placed, a sum of money at the disposal of the' local' Committee to meet the claims of the district. Air necessary form's may be obtained from members of Committee. For information, a good deal is obtainable from the Government Gazette arid cirour lair published^ We' may : briefly' state, however, that:all .exhibits must be fori warded , to, the Commissioner, '.'at' Wellington, not later, than the 30th .June next. Exhibits wilijb'e sent and returned free of expense, unless the owners ex- ; pressly de«ire that they be disposed of at Sydney—in which latter case the proceeds will be handed to the owner of the article sent. We hope sufficient has been said to induce a fair representation from the district; but at the same time intending exhibitors should be: very careful not to send anything but first rate specimens— especially of raw products. .