OPENING OF THE INTERPROVINCIAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 256, 26 December 1872, Page 6

OPENING OF THE INTERPROVINCIAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH.

After dwelling on the progress of the Province during the number of years it has been in eriftt»~»T *>"» T.jjttelton Times proceeds to remark on

THE EXHIBITION. The Exhibition, it may be remarked, is held anticipatory of the one to be opened at Vienna in the early part of the coming year, and which should be the more important to New Zealand settlers, because it is to partake more of industrial products than of the tine arts. A certain number of exLibits are to be chosen from those collected together on this occasion, and forwarded to the Vienna Exhibition, where a court has been especially set apart for the Colony. But while this is the great object in view, it should not be the only one. With comparatively little extra trouble, much more capital might be made out of the venture. If the commissioner who takes charge of the exhibits were to make arrangements, affrr the Vienna Exhibition, for displaying them in some of tho principal European capitals— say Berlin, Paris, &c, before finally depositing them in England, a much wider spread publicity would be given to the resources and products of the Colony, and this must be of necessity redound to our benefit. Then, again, why should not the exhibits be subsequently lodged in London for permanent display, with the object of periodical additions oeing made as industries are being developed in the Colony. Manifestly it would be a beneficial proceeding, and to say the least, both this and the previous suggestions are worthy of most careful consideration. Should the exhibition result in some such course being adopted, it will be indeed gratifying to reflect on hereafter, more particularly by those directly concerned in ita management. The exhibition is of course primarily due to the Colonial Government, to whom the Vienna Commissioners forwarded a circular inviting representative exhibits; but a considerable portion of the oredit'also belongs to the Flax Association of Canterbury. In opening the proceedings, his Honor the Superintendent made a long speech on the purport of ' the exhibition, and ou the products of ithe ' Provinfte generally, and concluded by asking his Excellency ta open the exhibition. s ' ' v ■ ■ His Jtxcellenpy replied as Jiqllows : — I ihank his Honor the Superintendent foY the address which has beep read;' an# I thank you ail Jfor the hearty reception which has been accorded to nje Oft thig, as on all my previous vHts to Canterbury. I am proud of having been invited to preside at the ceremony of this day, which will, I trust, prove the harbinger of increasing prosperity, and of future greatness, for this Province, and for the whole Colony. The able and interestiug statement contained in the Superintendent's address is well illustrated by the varied, store of objects presented to our view in this hall. No endeavors appear to have been spared to respond worthily to the expectations of the public, and to the wise liberality of the Provincial and Colonial Legislatures. The pains and costs expeuded on such efforts cannot be in vain. It has been truly said that international exhibitions place on record, as it were, for immediate use and future reference, the products and capabilities, the arts and inventions of digerent countries ; while they help to determine the Realities on which commerce can rely for its supplies, and the new channels which it is desirable to' open, It is believed that public opinion will do •justice to the enlightened care with which Attention has been drawn, not only to the Chief staples which' have hitherto constituted the riches of this country, but also to numerous sources of wealth, as yet undeveloped — ;bii| &hich, as time rolls on, and our populalafcion inQi\eas£g, mil furnish at once the material and the reward for the exercise of intelligent energy and persevering industry. From the specimens now collected and ar r ranged, the inquiring emigrant will be enabled, to form some idea of the extent, the variety, ant} (he value of tbe natural rg«

sources of New Zealand. It is suggestive that this exhibition should be opened on the anniversary of the foundation of the Province. Exactly twenty-two years ago, on 16t.h December, 1850, the first band of Canterbury pilgrims landed on what was then an almost sik-nt and solitary shore. Already this single Provincs of Canterbury — like the siit.r Province of Otago, which is only two years older — far exceeds in revenue, in trade, and general import nee, tho entire Colonies of Tasmania, of Guiana, and of the other West Indian Islands, some of which have been settled for more than two centurieß. So too, New Zealand— although only thirty-two yeara have elapsed since the beginning of colonisation in this country — 13 already the fourth in rank and in all the elements of maternal prosperity in the long list of British colonies, being now outstripped only by Victoria, by Canada, ami by New South Wales. Many of our earliest settlers, and of their immediate successors, are present here to-day. Let me apply to them the words of Lord Lyttelton, while he was Secretary of State for the Colonies : — "It is indeed a grand thing to be the founders of the social state of so mighty a segment of the globe as Australasia, and is, perhaps, more aure of fame, a thousand years hence, thau anything that can be clone ia tae old world. It is carving your name on the rind of a young tree, to be found with enlarged letters as the trunk expands." In conclusion, permit me to express my- deep sense of the kind expressions in the address towards Lady Bowen aad myself. While naturally gratified by my elevation to the chief prize of the colonial service — indeed to one of the highest offices in the gift of the Crown- we also recollect with satisfaction that the colony of Victoria is intimately connected by trade and sympathy with New Zealand. I now declare this exhibition open. [Cheers.] .