The Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1887. CLOSE OF THE INDUSTRIAL CONVERSAZIONE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5997, 4 August 1887, Page 3

The Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1887. CLOSE OF THE INDUSTRIAL CONVERSAZIONE.

Seven thousand persons, we notice, visited the very excellent little Exhibition held • in the Tuam street Hall under the auspices of the Industrial Association. It has been a notable feature of these evening conversaziones, as was remarked by the Hon E. Eichardson last evening, that the intorest displayed by visitors generally in the olose examination of all exhibits, and all industrial processes, has been very marked. From the educational standpoint, therefore, satisfactory work has been done, and for this reason the Managing Committee have good cause to feel well pleased. We hope, however, that their pleasure -will not blind them to the fact that on the occasion of the next Exhibition the general results ought to show a much higher standard of excellence. Next year, it may be reasonably expected that there will be many more exhibits, of a greatly diversified nature, and that there will also he an intelligent classification. Visitors have, during the past ten days, been again and again heard making wondering enquiry as to whether such and snch items could be fairly regarded as industries. The cause for these comments was ' that what may be termed legitimate industries, capable of supporting wage earners in comfort, and other industries which would only be carried on in the home circle, were curiously nixed np. And these, again, were scarcely separable from a variety of exhibits which would be shown more appropriately, and to better advantage, in an Art Gallery. Here, then, are two prominent points for the Committee to take into consideration. If, for the sake of illustration, the next year's Conversazione, or Exhibition, orwhatever it maybe Btyled, is held in the Tuam street Hall, the spacious gallery may be made good use of for the effective display of pictures, photographs, &c. Then, again, the Home Industries exhibits should be carefully grouped together, so that their lesson of time well spent may be the more forcibly impressed. Those who read Sir Julius Vogel's inaugural address will remember that he made special reference to the importance of encouraging Home Industries. We think it would be a good plan for the Committee next year to eeoure the co-opera-tion of a few experts, and give certificates of merit to the exhibitors in this section who really deserve some distinction. If in this or in any other way a healthy spirit of emulation can be engendered, and a wholesome stimulus given to the pursuit of home occupations tending to profitable results, the Association will be promoting one of its specific objects, and doing so with appreciable benefit. At the same time, the Committee must certainly

endeavour, on the next occasion, to secure a more generally representative display of the industries of the Colony. To this end, all the members of the Committee will have to work with a will. If they show anything like the steady determination of their present President, Mr F. Jenkins, anything like his enthusiasm, they will fill such a building as the Tuam street Hall to overflowing. The largo attendances at the Exhibition just closed cannot possibly form an excuse for inertia. On the contrary, thoy constitute the best possible incentive to renewed and more vigorous action.