EXHIBITION OF COLONIAL PRODUCTS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1020, 8 November 1872, Page 2

EXHIBITION OF COLONIAL PRODUCTS.

A well attended and influential meeting convened by Mr A. D. Bayfeild, was held at the Empire hotel on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose of organizing an association throughout the Buller aud surrounding mining districts, to collect specimens of gold ores, quartz, coal, mineral and other products for display at the forthcoming exhibition of Colonial products, to be held next month at Christchurch. Nearly every business man in Westport was present, and the Lyell, Eeefton, Ngakawhau. and Mokinui districts were well represented. l

Mr Munro being called to the Chair explained the object of the meeting, and for the information of those present, read extracts from the official notice appearing in the New Zealand Gazette showing that it has been aimouuced that an International Exhibition will take place in Vienna in the course of 1873, aud the Colonial

Government aro anxious that an Exhibition of New Zealand Produce and Manufactures should bo held at Christehurch, commencing on December IG, 1872, and that from the articles therein shown, should be selected the best in the different classes for transmission to Vienna, in order that the Colony may be well and properly represented at the latter place, also that at a meeting held in Christehurch, on September 25, a General Committee was appointed, who formed Sub-Committees, to superintend and arrange the exhibits of tho various classes of Produce. He explained also that the department of " coal, mineral, and ores," had been placed underthe management of J. Anderson and 11. P. Hill Esquires, of Christ-church,-and read the following general regulations as to quantities to be forwarded:— "Coals, in pieces of about two cubic feet. "Ores, in quantities of cot more than two cubic feet. " Glassmaking Sands, specimens in bottles. "Fire Clays, specimens of about two cubic feet. "Larger specimens of peculiar excellence will be received." He called upon Mr Bayfeild to more fully explain the proposed line of action. Mr Bayfeild said that, acting on a suggestion made by the " Westport Times," he had consulted with the leading men of the town and found the idea of serding local exhibits to the Christehurch exhibition was most favorably received. .He had therefore convened the present meeting that the subject might be freely discussed and ventilated, and a committee formed, to collect and arrange specimens, and to co-operate with the managers of the various mining companies so that the idea might be successfully carried out.

A long conversational discussion ensued, and various plans were suggested, perfect unanimity prevailing upon the question of the feasibility and advisability of the movement. As an initiatory step. Mr Gallaghar proposed and Mr Humphrey seconded—"That a committee of twelve be first appointed, with power to add to their number, in order to obtain and forward specimens from tho Buller and surrounding districts to the forthcoming Colonial Exhibition at Christehurch." Carried.

It was then proposed by Mr Humphrey, and seconded by Mr Jones " That the following gentlemen b° appointed, with to ad I to their number, Messrs Bayfeild, J. Muuro, R. Whyte, Dr. Thorpe, J. Corr, T. Gallagher, T. Bailie, S. Leech, T. Jones, Fleming, Jas. Suisted, and J. Draghicavich. Carried.

Mr Gallagher proposed and Dr Thorpe seconded—"That Mr Biyfeiid be appointed secretary." Carried. Mr Gallagher proposed and Mr Humphrev seconded—" That Mr E. Whyte be appointed treasurer." Carried.

A subscrinrion Hat W as forthwith opened to receive funds for necessary expenses connected with the movement, and about twenty guineas subscribed ; and the secretary said that during the next and following days he would solicit further subscriptions from the public.

The general meeting then concluded and the following business was transacted by the committee.

Proposed by Mr Bayfield and seconded by Dr Thorpe—"That Messrs Towndrow, Ings, and Campbell be elected members of the Committee." Carried.

Mr Gallagher suggested that ths co. operation of residents at Eeefton should be enlisted for the furtherance of the objects of the meeting. It was proposed by Mr Bayfield and seconded by Mr Fleming—" That Mr Gallagher be requested to call a meetat Eeefton for the purpose of electing a District Committee to co-operate with this Committee in obtaining exhibits to be forwarded to the Exhibition at Cbristchurch. Carried.

Proposed bv Dr Thome, and seconded by Mr "R, Whyte—" That the secretary be instructed to telegraph to Mr Broad, at Eeefton, informing him of the movement now set on foot, and solicit his assistance and co-operation in conjunction with Mr Gallagher. Carried.

Proposed by Mr John Corr, and seconded by Captain Leech, and carried—" That the following gentlemen be requested to form a District Committee at the Lyell, to act in conjunction with this (xeneral committee: —Messrs Antonio Zala, James Evan, David Leslie, Robert Cairns, Andrew Todd, J. R. Sloan, and John Campbell. Carried.

Proposed bv Mr Bailie and seconded by Mr Qallagher that the secretary be instructed to correspond with Mr Dwau, of Charleston, soliciting his co-operation in that District. Carried.

Proposed by Dr Thorpe, and seconded by Mr R. Whyte— "That the secretary be instructed to advertise that he wi'l receive exhibits, and take due care of the same—and that full particulars of claims, from which such specimens are taken be also ob tained." Carried.

Proposed by Mr Ings, and seconded by Dr Thorpe—" That the secretary conveno all meetings, and that five members form a quorum. Proposed by Mr Gallagher, and seconded by Mr Suisted—" That this meeting be adjourned until further convened by the secretary,