NEW ZEALAND COURT.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3674, 4 October 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND COURT.

THS TIKBBB XHDUSTBY. , The grand timber trophy is composed of representative exhibits of the choioe and valuable woods of the colony. Some of the finest exhibits in this class come from the North Island, and among, these may be mentioned those sent by the Auckland Harbor Board, Mr Creorge Holdship, Mr Edward-' Isaacs, the Hokianga Sawmill Coy., and Or Logan Campbell (of Auckland), Mr John Bead, Messrs Bagnall Brothers (of the Thames), Mr H. George (of Taranaki), Mr Haleombe (of Fielding), and Messrs Wilding and Ball (of Napier). The timbers of the Middle Island are also well represented by exhibits from Mr Bobert Guthrie, Mr W. N. Blair (of Dunedin), the Otago Museum, Mr John Hornby (of Reton), and the Hokitika Local Committee. A eolieetion of the timbers of Canterbury and Westland, by Dr Haast; alsoaeol* lection of timbers, showing the remits of experiments for determining the breaking strain, contributed 1 by. the Colonial Museum at Wellington; A very interest* ing exhibit is sent by the Auckland Harbour Board—namely, two large pieces one of jarrah, and .one of totara, to show the comparative value of these two woods in their capability to resist the ravages of the teredo navajis. The superiority of the totara, for pile purposes is manifest. Experience has shewn there is no Australian timber capable of resisting the action of this worm longer than a few years* being usually destroyed in from five to ten years—while totara piles have been found perfectly sound after eleven yean* service. . ' - ■ ■

There is a fine group of kauri gum exhibits, the gam being shown in different forms—as an ordinary natural product, and as manufactured 7 into a farietj of fancy artioles. Some large samples of gum are sent by the Thames Produce Company aod Mr Carpenter, of the Thames; while Captain Bush, of the same place, exhibits a collection of 860 specimens. The. Messrs Hull and Mr JB* Mitohelson, of Auckland, also furniih some good samples, as also Messrs Baker, of Wellington. Of. course, an exhibition of New Zealand products would be incomplete without flax. Accordingly, there is a flax trophy, the chief contributors towards its composition being Mr Charles Fulton, of Blenheim, Mr Hugh Cameron, the local committee of Hokitika, the Colonial Museum, and Mr Charles Chinnery, of Canterbury. . pottery. In this part of the court are placed the pottery exhibits. By all accounts this industry promises to become a very important ooe'inthe colony, and the samples sent to this Exhibition will certainly bear favourable comparison with others of the same class in. other courts. . Messrs Wright and Yineent of Hamilton, Auokland, hare sent some fine, specimens of their work, in. the shape ot several rases, a church font,.water bottles, Ac. A number of articles of earthenware are exhibited by Mr W. Plant, of the Thames. Both Canterbury and Otago. are well -- represented in this class. Messrs Austin** Kirk, and Co., of. Christohuroh, hare a fine display, consisting of ordinary potterr* ware of all kinds—sanitary appliances, in the shape of drainpipes, stench-traps, filters, &o. ; and ornamental specimens of fire-clay goods—such as floral groups, and a oase of brooches, pendants, ringy and photo, frames. These ornamental specimens, are beautifully executed, and are quite works of art. Some rery good samples of Terra Cotta work are shown bjr Mr Condliffe, of the Malrern Hills; and Ford and Ogden, of the ssmekMalitjr, ' exhibit glazed stoneware pipes and some rarieties of ornamental and' other bricks. The exhibit of Messrs Beeves and Co., of the Royal Milton Pottery Works, Otego, is remarkably good. It consists of about 500 pieces, comprising dinner and its* services, cups and saucers, dishes, jugsteapots, jelly-pots, tobacco-jars, spittoons, candlesticks, lavatory-ware, door-knobs, door-plates, &c, Ac. Some new features bare been introduced in the manufacture of these goods, and they offer a great rariety of shape and colour, The exhibits occupy a rery handsome show*case, specially constructed for the purpose by the New Zealand Wooden-ware Factory Company, of Dunediri, and are tnoiouhw worthy of careful inspection. Mrßienarq Capstick, of Dunedin, is also an exhibitor

in this class—-his exhibits consisting of lets of jugs, vases, spill cups, teapots, candlesticks, Ac. BISCUITS, ETC. Biscuit-baking is well represented by Messrs J. Bycroft and Co., of Auckland j E. T. Douglas, O. D. Grant, and Mennie and Dey, of the Thames; and J. C. Ren ton and P. J. Newbury, of Dunedin. The Thames also sends samples of canned peaches. The only exhibit of leather is from the tannery of Mr H. Walton of Glen Craigie, Wellington, who exhibits some first quality basils. Amongst the miscellaneous exhibits there is an apparatus of entir ly 'novel character, which is likely to attract a good deal of attention. It is an invention of Mr J. E. Hayes, of Wellington, and is called an electric office indicator. All that is required is for the banker, merchant, or other occupant of a room, to press a small plate affiied to his table, and the word " engaged" instantly appears in a frame attached to the outer side of the door. When disengaged the plate is pressed the other way, and the blank space now presented indicates that any visitor who may chance to be awaiting an interview is at liberty to enter the office. There is a large model of the apparatus exhibited, and one of the indicators is fitted to the door of the executive commissioners office.—Herald.