International exhibition Glasgow 1901
Official catalogue

19° Western Australia, light blue on plan. Pearls and Pearl Shell, Copper, Tin, Diamonds, and many of the valuable lesser known minerals, as well as Wool and Wine, all are represented among the Western Australian products in the colony’s Court. The Western Australian exhibits are arranged in four groups, three in the south- western corner of the Industrial Hall, and one outside on the western bank of the Kelvin. Throghout the Court in the Industrial Hall are hung seven hundred large photographs illustrating the various industries and depicting views of the towns, with the principal publie buildings, and representative country scenes. Group A. is devoted to Minerals, and comprises a magnificent collection of alluvial gold and nuggets found by the lucky prospectors. There are also very valuable collec- tions lent by all the larger and more important mining companies in the colony, showing many thousands of pounds worth of telluride of gold and reef gold in all its variety of form. These are exhibited in eases made of the celebrated Karri and Jarrah woods, of which more hereafter. A gilded globe represents the total amount of gold produced in the colony from the year 1886 to 31st December, 1900, viz., 181 tons, of the value of £22,491,994. There are also samples showing the wealth of the State in Copper, Tin, Iron, Lead, Antimony, etc. ; while magnificent blocks of Coal prove that in this valuable mineral alone Western Australia has a store of wealth. Maps and photographs of the different mines and mining centres throughout the colony adorn the walls throughout. Group B. is principally devoted to Agricultural, Viticultural, and various other Products. The Wheat, Oats. Barley, Rye, Maize, Peas, etc., which grow to such perfection in the Midland and South-Western districts of the colony, are displayed in sheaf and bulk and in small open troughs for elose inspection. With these are grouped samples of soils from the different districts, with analyses made by the Department of Agriculture. Built samples of Guano from the Abrolhos Islands are also shown. Manufactured or prepai’ed food stuffs, such as Dried Fruits, Preserves, Flour, and Honey, are in this group, while Olive and Eucalyptus Oils, Soaps, and Candles, and by no means the least valuable of the colony’s products, Wool, are also well displayed. In this group too is a large exhibit of Wines produced in the colony, as well as a trophy representing the Pearl Shell Fisheries and the by-products pertaining to the same. A room has been fitted up in this portion of the Courf for visitors wishing to seo the various Australian papers. Group C. is devoted to Forestry and the various products of the timber industries, Joiners’ and Cabinetmakers’ Work, such as Staircase Material, Inlaid Work, Parquetry, Specimens of Wood-Carving, Flooring, and samples of the various woods put to their industrial uses. Some striking examples of the great durability of the woods are shown where damp and destructive insects have been encountered. Paintings and a large collection of photographs illustrate the wild flowers of Western Australia, which are renowned for their beauty and variety. Group D. is situated in the grounds, and is also devoted to Forestry. Here are exhibited several immense tree trunks (ranging from 8' in diameter to 2' 6") of gigantic trees, from which the immense timber resources of the colony are derived. A section of a railway bridge in Jarrah, three railway waggons in Karri, railway sleepers for various gauges, large sizes of timber for harbour and bridgework, and blocks for street paving in Jarrah and Karri. Not the least interesting exhibit here is an Ornamental Pavilion or Summer House, artistically designed, constructed of Jarrah. In conclusion it may be added seeing is believing, and should the reader enquire of the attendants at the Western Australian Section he will be supplied not only with optical demonstration which should convince even the most sceptical that Western Australia is a land of great possibilities, he will further be handed, gratis, statistical matter and illustrated books which will shew him that, as regards climate, scenery, comfort in living, etc., there are few more favoured places than the colony of Western Australia.