The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, JAN. 31, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume xxx, Issue 2427, 31 January 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, JAN. 31, 1888.

Whilst the farmers of Waikato are busily engaged in getting in the harvest, they must not allow their minds to lose sight of the approaching Centennial Exhibition for all nations, to b« held in Melbourne on the Ist of August next. The exhibition is to be carried out on a scale of some magnitude, and all the leading countries have entered into the necessary arrangement to secure a display of their manufactures, agricultural industries, arts and sciences. Tho whole of the colonies are making great efforts to show to the civilised world tho wonderful advance they have caeh. made in every department of artistic, mechanic, industrial and scientific skill. In this respect, we are pleased to say, tho Government of New Zealand is doing its duty towards securing an adequate and worthy representation of New Zealand industry and progress. We have, in a previous article, named the principal groups under which intending exhibits will be classed. The chief staples of the colony must receive primary attention, and no doubt they will, for we observe that magnificent samples of wool have already been prepared in Canteibury for exhibition in Melbourne, and which cannot, we fancy, be excelled by any other district of the colony. Still the capabilities of the Waikato for wool-growing should also be shown by well-prepared samples of local wools, washed and unwashed. Specimens of a variety of raw products, cultivated and uncultivated, can be provided, such as flax, tobacco in leaf, preserved fodder for cattle, carbolic sand soap, raw and salted hides, sheepskins, locally invented implements and garden tools, rope, machinery for gold mining processes, harness or saddlery. In the eighth group of the official catalogue are tho Alimentary products, and it is to this class we wish the Waikato farmers to give their particular attention, for they should, especially after such a favourable season, be able to forward splendid samples of wheat, oats, barley, maize or other cereals, both with and w.thout husks. Also flour, bran, meal, &c. ; biscuits; fresh and salt butter, cheese, hams and bacon. Fruits and vegetables should be well represented, for this district is quite able to transmit One samples of potatoes, turnips, beets, swedes and other roots and vegetables of all kinds. In fruits we ought to be sccond to none, both fresh and preserved and in jams or jellies, There are also ;erated waters, fermented liquors and fruit wines. Our nurseries should be able to furnish species of flowers and ornamental plants as examples of local culture and characteristic types of cottage gardening and of the orchards of the Waikato." Mineral specimens of all descriptions indicative of our native resources, or models of locallyinvented machines and apparatus used in any industrial pursuit, can probably be produced also. Then there aro persons who will no doubt feel interested in procuring specimens of Maori handiwork, Mich as mats, hand-bags, mantel and bracket fringes, straw hats and basket-work, &c., ?<>r which a 'demand would probably arise if they are made sufficiently known to commerce. Works of art, such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, engravings by colonial artists, with specimens of fancy work, will, we think, be forthcoming from amongst us as ovidonco of tho cultivated tastes of our society. Intending exhibitors must not

hesitate 100 long' about pro paring Iho exhibits thoy may havn clmileil to i'oi'wanl to tliu OiuilonuiaL Exhibition, for the Commissioners an-noum-e 'hat the space assigned to each country must be occupied before the ilOth Juno next.