EXHIBITION NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8280, 6 November 1906, Page 3

EXHIBITION NOTES.

(By a Lady Visitor). CHRISTGHURCH, Nov. 2. The- Exhibition was opened, yesterday, amidst a flourish of trumThe weather, which had been previously hot, dusty, an? windy, was perfect, and the whol« ceremony wont off smoothly and pleasantly. Perhaps Sir Josepn Ward's speech was a trifle too lorig, and his refereno to Mr Monro's zeal eonrooly necessary at such a function, The 'ode.by Mr Johannes 0. AndflrsoD, music by Mr Alfred Hill, was exceed ingly well rendered, and stirred the audience to an outburst of enthusiastic applause. Speecties followed tho ode—first by toe the Governor, who made a shor;, tactful, impressive speech; tben by Sir Joseph Ward. The dias specially reserved for the official party was then occupied by the Governor and Lady Plunked, the Hon. Miss Plonker, Sir Joseph Ward a?d Lady Ward. Lady Plunkot •was' most beautifully gowned in white silk, with a black silk gauze paletot nearly covering the wbite gown, and her hat was a small white toque. Lady Ward wore a grey tweed gown, sealskin jacket, with a very bigb storra collar, and a dark hat, in which was a touch of roso colour. The Hon. Kathleen PJnnketfc wore pink silk muslin, with a burnt straw hat of qua'nt shape, nearly oovared with small pink rosebuds. The dresses of those ladies occupying reserved seats at the opening oeremeny were, for the moßfc pa"t, very beautiful. Iu uo oaso wore tboro arjy brilliaut colours, moat being of eott shades of paatel, grey, blue and pink. Toward* the conclusion of the opening ceremony the One Hundredth Psalm was sang, and nearly the whole audienoe joined in heartily. A gold en key was preeeuted to His Excel lenoy, a jewelled gold pass to Lady Plonket and a gold pass to the Don. Kathleen Plunket. Then His Excellency declared toe Exbinitron open. a cablegram was sest to His Majesty the King, the National Anthem sung, the Exbibitiou bells runs, and tbe Vice-Regal pariy conducted through the building. The" Exhibition, taking it 83 a whul<v can scarcely be said to be finished. Still'great praisa is due to all connected with it and is baiug freply scattered around on all sides on every member of the committee, inoiadins the President. Lord Plunket," who is Patron, stands solemnly whsn flattering speeches are made, and on 6 wonders if he is nut the pivot of tbe most interesting department of the whole Exhibition, viz., tbe Art Gallery, which is far in advance of the most sanguine expectation. There is a most unique collection of old lace, silver, jewellery, *and bronzes, as well as pictures oy all the bestknown artists. "A Klßck Sbeor," by Millet; "The Village Church,*' by Leader; "Clarissa," by Millais; "Interior," by Alma Tadema: "Tho Last Fanhinp," by Dorothy Stanley; "Doubte," by Henrietta Rao; "The Prodißal Daughter," hy Collier; "Phyche," by Solomon Solomon; "An Unfinished Symphony," by Orcbardson, and dozens of others of as much interest. : Truly a co'luotioh worth seeing. As regards exhibits—tbe Canadian 'court is of most interest so far, and is, perhaps, the best oarrled out of all the courts. The Petone and JKaiapoi manufactures aro well represented. There are some exquisitely soft-finished cloths and tweeds, and one cannot fail to wonder if New Zealand people fully reoogafse the good work of these faotories. English people invariably exclaim at tbe superior finish and the fastness of the colours of the New Zealand tweeds, some going so far as to say they are unsurpassed for durability for golfing, fishing, j and hunting costumes. The merchants and manufacturers of Wanganni, who combined to form a court, have a most interesting display of wines, sauces, pioklee, canoed meats, oils and fertilisers, j The Hawke'a Bay court includes tallow, wines, sauces, flax, grain, etc. - It is impossible to mention all the private exhibits, or even half of them. Messrs Donald and Sons have a well got-up stand in conjunction with Cooper's shearing uiacnines, and are exhibiting a number of Mr Donald's well-known and useful patents, including his wool-press, wire strainer, and lifting jaoks, ets.