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MELBOURNE EXHIBITION JOTTINGS.
Pears's Soap Exhibit in the Melbourne Exhibition.
The Hon. Lieut.-Col. F. T. Sargood, C.M.G. Mr. F. H. COWEN. Help
Situated in a conspicuous position in the main ball,
at th« beginning of the Avenue of Nations in the
Melbourne Exhibition, ie the fine exhibit of Meas».
Pean, the principal portion of which ooneietB of a
plate glass show case in whioh specimens of their
transparent soap are displayed in different shapes,
snob as balls, tablets, oakes, and shavicg sticks ; one
of the most popular forms being the transparent
tablet, whioh is warranted to contain 30 per cent, of
pore glycerine. The soap is attractively displayed
on handsome ont glass stands, tastefully draped with
soft folds of liberty silk, crowned with bouquets of
white flowers. In the centre of the case, standing
upon a pedestal, is a gilded fao simile of the famous
statuette "Yon Dirty Boy," for the original of
which, ten years ago, Messrs. Pears paid ¿6500. Since
then they nave spent many thousands of Pounds in
reproducing it aa an advertising medium. Indeed,
it is now completely identified with the soap.
Close to the show case, and resting upon an easel,
ia a copy of Sir John E. Millais'a beautiful picture
" Bubbles," whioh Mesara. Pears lately purchased
fox £2200. They have recently spent over £20,000 in
producing the first editions, oopies of whioh, forming
splendid »peoimena of color printing, are given away
at the Exhibition. The foregoing figures will serve
to afford some idea of the magnitude of the opera-
tions of the firm ; and the expenditure upon advertis-
ing alone during the present yar will probably
exceed £100,000. The names of Messrs. Pears is BO
well known that it is no exaggeration to say that
their manufactures are to be found in every part of
the civilised world. Doubtless, many of our reader«
who have been in London lately have viewed the
firm'a magnificent new buildings in New Oxford
street, whioh are the admiration and wonder of all
beholders, and are admitted to oontain the finest re-
production of a Pompeiian Court in existenoe. We may
mention that visitors from the colonies are especially
invited to inspect the art collection in theta palatial
8remises. Owing to the jaoioioua but liberal exnen
itnre made by the proprietors, the offices
are now justly re pardea as one of the
sights of London. From an account recently
published regarding this building, we learn that
the central feature of the vestibule is a sunken bath,
carefully designed.. The floor of this ia exquisite,
being an elaborate pieoe of mosaic work of a lustrons
blue, whioh imparts to the water a charming tint. A
mt'seio-lined niobe in the marble wall, at the head of
the bath, holds, at present, a marble replica of
Thorwaldsen's " Venus." This, however, is to be
replaced by a story told by means of three figures,
forming two groups.
A particularly interesting feature of the vestibule
is the mode of illumination ; models of the graoefnl
boat-shaped Bonan lamps being employed, in whioh
electrio lights are placed. The lighting of the build-
ing ia carried out to perfection ; all the latest im-
provements being provided. The waiting-rc om is
made specially interesting, from the fact that it is vir-
tually a picture galU-rj; for there the originals of
the various works of art whioh have been so euc'esB
fully reproduced aa advertising medium« are shown.
In the actual working of the establishment the most
modern scientific appliance* are ue*d ; and the safe
room is one of the newest and most elaborate kinds.
It is large enonsh to permit of a dozen people
dining in it. The opening of the door lights the
incandescent burner inside the room. Within it,
again, is a doubly-secured safe ; so that very little
fear of a robbery is entertained.
Anyone inspecting this veritable palace cannot fail
to be surprised when he or she remembers that it is
brought about by auch a simple tiling as a dake of
soap. But soap ia euch an everyday neoesaity that
many people do not «top to consider what an ita*
portant part the use of a pure artiole plays in keep-
ing the ekin free from all impurities, and (treating a
healthy appearance. The Australasian Depot of
MeeBru. P.ars is at 132, Collins-street vest, Mel-
bourne, under the management of Meer rs. Franois
Forrest and Co., where large stocks are held for th«
purpose of supplying the whole of the colonies.
Much of the success which has hitherto at-
tended the progress of the Melbourne Centennial
Exhibition is unquestionably due to the untiring
energy and business-like tact displayed by Lieut.
Col. Sargood as executive vice-president and trea
The Hon. Lieut.-Col. F. T. Sargood, C.M.G. Mr. F. H. COWEN. Help
The Hon. Lieut.-Col. F. T. Sargood, C.M.G.
surer, in which capacities his long and varied
colonial experiences have heen of great service.
He was born at "Walworth, near London, May 30,
1834, and, after receiving a good education in a
private school, arrived in Victoria on February
12, 1850, in the Clifton, one of several ships char-
tered by Dr. Lang, of Sydney. At first he was
employed as a clerk in the office of Public "Works,
Melbourne, but relinquished this post in order
to join his father in the drapery business estab-
lished by the latter in the Victorian capital. In
1852 he took part in the rush to Mount Ararat
goldfield, where he was very successful,- but,
afterwards, he rejoined his father. In 1858, he
married Miss Marian Australia Rolfe, daughter
of a leading member of the Victorian Legislative
Council, and in the following year, taking con-
siderable interest in the subject of colonial de-
fences, he initiated the formation of a rifle corps
in St. Kilda, becoming its secretary, and carrying
off the first prize for rifle-shooting at the first
meeting held in Victoria, under the auspices of
the Caledonian Society. He afterwards distin-
guished himself as a rifle shot at various meet-
ings in Victoria ; also at Wimbledon, in the old
country. His after career has been one of great
public usefulness, aud while sitting in the Vic-
torian Legislative Council as a representative of
the Central Province, he did much towards estab-
lishing the naval and military defences of Vic-
toria on their present efficient basis, his military
knowledge and experience causing him to be ap-
pointed Minister of Defence in the Service Minis-
try, which post he occupied from March, 1883, to
February, 1886, when the Gillies Ministry was
formed, his successor being Sir James Lorimer.
He is highly respected in commercial circles, and
has long occupied a prominent and enviable re-
putation among the merchant princes of Aus-
tralasia.
The effect of the fine Aveather experienced in
Melbourne during this month has had the effect
anticipated of causing a most satisfactory increase
in the attendance at the Exhibition-on one day
reaching the highest number yet attained of
25,754 persons. Compared with the Exhibition
of 1880, for the first week in the month, it shows
an increase of thirty thousand, so that the pro-
moters can have no reasonable cause for complaint
on this score.
In the absence of Mr. F. H. Cowan, the musical
director, on a holiday to Sydney, Signor Zelman
acted aa conductor to the orchestra, and Messrs.
The Hon. Lieut.-Col. F. T. Sargood, C.M.G. Mr. F. H. COWEN. Help
Mr. F. H. COWEN.
Allan and Co. made arrangements for daily con
certs in the courts in which instrument makers
whom they represent exhibited, which were
attended with great success.
The Queensland opals have been withdrawn
from exhibition ; it is whispered by reason of
their owners not being allowed to selljwithin the
building.
A trophy called " Cleopatra's Needle," contain-
ing 4775 cubic feet, representing the amount of
gold in bulk raised in the Australian colonies,
including New Zealand, has been erected at the
south entrance. It represents a value of over
three hundred and twenty millions sterling.
$