The exhibits in the New Zealand manu factures and produce department were un satisfactory—the main cause of dissatisfac tion referred to in our opening remarks. It was, indeed, very deficient, as compared with last year, and in few classes is such deficiency more to be regretted. Of what avail is it to talk of encouraging in dustry if in this department we are year after year, to have a falling off 7 It must result in indifference, or worse, if we find only one sample of boots and shoes, none of baskets, none of bricks, and but one ofcaaks, none in corn-sacks, nothwithstand ing all our efforts to develop flax, none in bops, but one in leather, no pickles or pre served fruits, no saddlery, and no Tweeds. Sorely, while most of these industries are staying up, it is a mattetior regret that so little interest is taken in this, a provincial exhibition, to show the progress that is being ihtfde year by year. Let our producers take note of the progress of things, and compare the samples of 1868, 1869, and 1870, and mark the great march in each year towards Perfection. In ale and beer, the produce of some four leading brewers was absent. Why is this 7 - All the samples shown were of good body and flavour, and the contest between Man ning and Co. and Mrs Davis—the prize takers—was close. The sample shown by the former was the cheapest,and was favoured principally on that account. Innes’ sample was good, but had scarcely enough body. Stennard’s did not sample well, evidently from some fault in the cask. The boots, only one entry, were very ordinary. The prize candles (Mr Horler’s) were a little in ferior to last year, not being so clear through. ‘ Hancock’s sample were deficient in colour. The casks were exceedingly good, reflecting the highest credit on Mr Ford: The same remark applies to that gentleman’s cheese vats. The flax is treated of below. - The malt was not worthy of notice. Innes’ was the best, Manning’s being evidently inferior barley and not well J malted. The first prize porter was very decent, bat none of the exhibits ap peared pure, having a flavour of treacle, and showing evidence of English beer. Stennard’s was very bad. The preserved meats of the Export Company comprised tongues and ■ mutton hams. 