THE UTILITY OF EXHIBITIONS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 368, 8 December 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE UTILITY OF EXHIBITIONS.

The following is the essay by Miss Lucy Ttnl) which took first prize at the Waikato West Industrial Exhibition :-- The majority of the people are always trying to improve on the results or their labour, and, to give these an opportunity of displaying the work which they have done with their utmost ability, and of seeing the inventions and improvements of others, exhibitions were ins ituted, Exhibitions are really public shows, and exhibits of all varieties of work, whether intellectual or manual aro invited, to suit the tastes and talents of all people who may choose to compete. Some exhibitions are earriel out on the most gigantic scale, and are the exhibits of the different nations more than of individuals. Governments generally grant large sums of money for the purpose of having their country's produce shown to the very best advantage at these international exhibitions, for they fully recognise the importance of this, for the progress of their country. The exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851 was the first, of the series of great exhibitions, and it was held partly through the influence of Prince Albert. At this time it was hoped commercial rivalry would so engross the minds of the nations, that military ambition would be done away with and war would be a thing of the past. Such exhibitors induce crowds of people to travel and • steamers and railways are able to reduce their rates of carriage, so that travelling is brought within the reach of thousands who could nut otherwise afford the expense. In the commercial world exhibitions take a preeminent place, for what better advertisement can a manufacturer have than a medal testifying to the superiority of his goods? Merchants and manufacturers flock from all nations to see exhibitions ; the former, that they may be able to satisfy themselves where they can get the best, and most suitable goods ; ard the latter, that th-.-y may put to good advantage the knowledge they have obtained from seeing the skill and ingenuity of other countries. Then, again, there are smaller exhib'tions held for the purpose of encouraging industry, ingenuity, perseverance and painstaking, and affording a useful amusement for the young ; these are called Children's Industrial Exhibitions, They encourage a striving towards perfection, for children miy be satisfied with the result of their efforts until they rnay see another better than theirs among the exhibits, they thee think that if others can do it so well, why should not they and perseverance overcomes all difficulty. An exhibition enables people to get new ideas and to improve on their old ones. It is a great step to get a child interested in a branch of work : special prizes offered often form an inducement but it should be borne in mind that the true purpose of an exhibition is not to encourage children to work for the mere money value of a prize but for the honour of excelling. Then it is a satisfaction to know that when preparing for an exhibition in what otherwise would have been idle moments, they are fostering good habits and improving their talents. And the exhibition itself—-what a pleasure it is to see all the exhibits arranged, the eager facc3 of the children looking to eee what success their work had met with, and to meet with friends who have come with the intention of spending a pleasant and profitable holiday. But whether the exhibition be a gigantic national affair as the one to be held in Paris in 1900 promises to be, or merely a children's industrial one the object in view is the game, the public recognition of merit. "Virtus in Akduis."