THE OPENING CEREMONY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 302, 22 December 1898, Page 6

THE OPENING CEREMONY.

AT THE CHORAL HALL. it was in the Choral Hall where the chief ceremony of the day was to take place. The vice-regal party, accompanied by the members of the Exhibition Executive, entered the building1 by thesidc-door, and were conducted to seats reserved for them beneath the platform. The Chora) Hall was a -pretty sight within, as befitted the occasion ; for seldom lias it been the scene of a ceremony of greater significance than this—the formal opening of Auckland's first Industrial and Mining- Exhibition. The platform, where the orchestra of fifty players was stationed, and where a rostrum for the speakers had been erected, was decked with ferns and nikau palms. Jn front was hung a fine painting' of Paganini, lent for the occasion by the President (Mr Kent). Rising in tiers above the orchestra were the choral seats, where sat some two hundred singers. The white dresses of i the ladies were relieved with blur; ribI bens on the soprano side ; red on the jco.tralto. Rising above, in the centre of all stood the new organ, a handsome instrument in light-coloured wood, with delicni/eiy-shaded organ pipes reaching to the roof. Professor Carl Schmitt wielded the conductor's baton ; Mr Arthur Towsey presided at the organ. The people present could easily have filled the building, but by a flaw in the arrangements nearly all were crowded into the front half of the hall. The back entrances were shut, with the resu.t that, while at the platform and side-doors there was scarcely standing room, whole rows of empty forms could be seen at the rear r,f the ball. Hound the walls were the rows of pictures lent to the Exhibition ; on the left, a double row of tatooed Maori warriors and wahinos from Lindauer's skilful brush looked down upon a scene such as in their lifetime they never knew or dreamed of ; on the right, splendid paintings ci two of Auckland's earliest evangelical pioneers, Bishop Selwyn and Bishop Cowie, were given a prominent position. The bright dresses and white hats of the ladies gave some colour to the scene. There was some applause as Professor Schmitt appeared upon the plat-, form, baton in hand. Soon afterwards: there was a stir near the side-door, and all eyes were turned in that direction, while Professor Schmitt signalled to the chorus and orchestra to rise. A moment later Mr Kent appeared at the door, and ushered in the vice-regal pa-*?ty, who were received with loud applause, all the audience standing as they entered. The National anthem, 'God Save the Queen,' went swinging out upon the air, given with the full strength of choir and orchestra, and the rich, swelling tones of the organ. The second verse of the anthem was sung as a quartette by the four soloists, Miss Large, Madame Dv Rieu, Mr J. XV. Jb.il], and Mr J. Prou.se, and the third verse by the united choir and orchestra. During the singing the viceregal party were conducted to their seats. The front seat in the hall was occu-| pied by His Excellency the Governor, Countess Ranfurly, Lady Constance Knox, Lord Northland, Capt. Alexander, Mr Garland, the Premier, Capt. Browne (H.M.s. Tauranga), Comman-| der Torlisse (H.M.s. Royalist) and i officers. In the.body of the hall were seated Sir G. Maurice O'Rorke, Messrs P. Dignan (Mayor of Auckland), P. A. I Philips (Town Clerk), Doekrill (Mayor of New Plymouth), A. E. Devore, W. R. Holmes, Horton, G. Fowlds, I.! Alexander. W. H. Herries, M.H.R., W.| Crowthcr, M.H.R., R. Monk, M.H.R., I J. Bollard, M.H.R., W. Jennings, M.L.C., W. McCullough, M.L.'G., Dr. Purchas, E. Mahoney, Dr. W. R. Erson (Mayor of Onehunga), Dr. Campbell, Capt. Morris, M.L.C., A. Harina, 11. Edmonds, Rabbi Goldstein, E. Bell, W. Courtney, Chas. Williamson, Higgins, Rev. Larkins, J. Burns, De Montalk, 0. Mays, J. J. Craig, R. Hobbs, A. Rose, 11. Brett, W. Led ingham, Thoi). Morrin, Alex. Knight, M. Niceol, T. Finlayson, Harker. E. W. G. E-ithbone S. Nathan, V. E. Rice, S. T. George, J. W. ShackeH'ord (Mayor of Newton), ,1. Currie (Town. Clerk), W. Berry, W. J. Napier, Tngall, Dr. King, Dr. Walker, Vaile, C, Atkin, Lieut. Col. Banks, B. Harris. M.L.C., A. Kidd, A. Cairns, John Reid, M. McLean, J. McKail Gcddes, Capt. Coyle, Inspector Cullen, IF. M. Smeeton, Thos. Pencock, W. F. Mrissey, M.H.R., Rev. IT. R. Dewsbury, E. Morton, Abbott," W. S. Wilson, Major Morrow, and the following consuls: —E. Langguth (Aus-tria-Hungary). E. V. Johansen (Belgium and Denmark), A. Millar (France), Carl Seegnor (Germany), H. Rees George (Portugal), and Frank Dillingham (America); Matthew Clark (Messrs Arch. Clark and Sons), chairman of Finance Committee; A. H. Nathan, vice-president; J. J. Holland, M.H.1?.; Thos. Hodgson, chairman Advertising and Printing Committee; G. S. Kissling, R. R. Hunt, James' Russell, Robert Rose, Colonel Burton, G. C. Garlick, IT. C. Tewsley, IT. C. Greenshidc (Mayorelect, Thames), Lieu tenants Salmon, Earle (Auckland Navals), L. M. Batehelder (U.S. vice-consul), Major Harris, F. W. Lang, R. Thompson, F. Lawry, F. Maguire (Hawera), M.H.R.'s, Canon Nelson; Revs. P. Smallfield,. L. FitzGerakl, W. J. Williams, Captain- Hodge (Coromandel), Huntley ;,Eliott , (XTnder-Secretary Mines' Department), J. 7i. Page (town clerk, ,Wellington), F. • Trask (Mayor

of. Nelson), 11. A.. Gordon, L. .D. Nathan, "E. A. Mabkechnie, 0.-F. Pnlraer, A. Dewar, Janies Edmistoii, H. C. Hfiseldon, George Fraser, .7. Balydayj J. Mackic, 11. IS. May, J. Thornes, J.'H, JDalton, H. Fletcher; C- H. Burgess, A. Brock, I). T. Forsytli, E. Cameron (M'osgiel Company), Marshall (Coromandel), John Webster (Hokianga), W. Webster (liokinnga), J. Edson, F. Earl, W. Lamb, J. 11. Miillins, W. Arpy (Wildman and Lyell), A. Cairns, J. Trenwith, VV. G. Fisher, Alex. Grierson, 15. Myers, C. Suggatc, H. Giles, .1. Iredalc, H. A. Wright, W. Shepherd Allen, J. 11. Philpott, L. .1. Bag-nail (Thames), J. W. Carr, 15. White, A. .lames, James Ah Kcw, G. Tl. Gnrriclc (Fiji), P. Hereus (Kaiapoi Woollen Company), James Reade, \V. A. Ilitchings (Whangarei), P.rent (Roiorua), J. Merinic, Leo. Myers, Hugh Campbell. A number of telegrams were recciv. Ed from the South from invited guests who were unable to attend the opening ceremony: — Mr Charles Louisson, Mayor o* Christohureh, wired: '.Regret very much I cannot be with you to-day, but hope your Exhibition will prove a complete success. Accept congratulations from citizens of Christchurch.' Hon. T. Thompson, telegraphed: 'Regret extremely that. I will not be able to be present at opening of Exhibition to-morrow; but hope to reach Auckland on Friday next. Wish you fine wont her and every success.' Mr Samuel Brown, President of the Industrial Corporation: '1 regret that having made arrangements to go the West Coast, and Christehureh, to which 1 am leaving to-day, that I will j be unable 1o accept, the Kind invita-j lion of the Executive to the opening; ceremony, though 1 hope to be able to visit the Exhibition later on. As' far as I can gather you have everything in favour of a. successful show, and we of the Industrial Association! wish you every success.' From Mr Corkill, New 'I My month: i 'Much regret inability to be present j to-morrow. Best wishes for successful function.' At the conclusion of the National j Anthem, the Most Reverend the Primate (Bishop Cowie) offered up the following prayer:—o Lord, our heavenly Father, we give Thee hearty! thanks for the many blessings that' Thou hast bestowed upon uk in this fair land. We thank Thee for thc| progress made in knowledge of Thy j marvellous works, for increase of comfort given to human life, for kindlier fooling between rich and poor. Thou oponcst to us the gates of prosperity and greatness. Grant to us the continual increase of plenteous-! ness and peace; spread abroad amongst us inoro and more the en-' lightenment of understanding, and the freedom thai is of truth; enable us to grow continually in the righteousness that exalteth a nation, and In the love that is the bond of perfectness: and, above till, grant us to know Thee, which is life eternal, and evermore to follow the example of our Saviour, Jesus Christ; to whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Tile 'Old Hundredth' was then sung by the rhoir, the people standing, after which the President mounted the rostrum to deliver his address of welcome. He spoke clearly and distinctly, and his speech was punctuated with frequent rounds of applause. THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH. Mr Kent .said: '1 think you will all agree, with me that on this extremely auspicious occasion our first duty and pleasure should be to extend to our distinguished visitors a thoroughly! English welcome, and therefore with! your approval I have the utmost plea.-1 sure in expressing to His Excellency! the Governor the delight with which we all welcome both himself rind j Lady Ranfurly and the whole. Vice*. Tiegal party. We are glad to receive j His Excellency at all times for many] reasons, as foe is the direct rcpresenla-j tive of our Sovereign Lady Queen ' Victoria, whose loyal people we are,-1 and we are glad to welcome the Go-1, vernor of this colony for the warm and high regard we entertain for His \ . Excellency personally. j ( 'A hearty reception must also be ex-j • tended to the Premier of the colony! and to any of his Ministers present, | and to all our other invited friends. L It is a. great pleasure to us to have j i them in Auckland to-day, and 1 sin-1 eerely hope their visit to our city may j be one of unalloyed pleasure. ! 'And now, ladies and gentlemen, ' f do not wish to occupy your time;1 with a long .speech, when you must' necessarily be impatient for the pro-! feedings to go forward; yet if you will allow me I will tell you briVfly: what 1 shall call "The Story of the ; Exhibition." .Some two years ago i T chanced to be, in Wellington on business and 'found the enterprising people of that city running an Exhibition, and T xevy naturally took the j opportunity of visiting it some four I or more times during my short stay. I was greatly si ruck with the extremely interesting exhibits I saw thei-e, as the Wellington .Exhibition was a very good one. A strong feeling' impressed me with the idea that tko people of Auckland should emulate such an excellent example. On my return home—being at that time President of the Auckland Chamber] of Commerce—l brought the subject ■ before that body of gentlemen, with i the result that we determined to in^j vite all our leading citizens to a public I meeting, to lay before them a scheme we had already sketched out for holding an exhibition in Auckland. A large and thoroughly representative meeting was held, and it, was unanimously resolved thai Auckland should be shaken to her very bones, but she must take the. matter of an exhibition in hand nt once, and uphold the dignity and importance of this the largest, and most flourishing city in the colony. A strong executive was formed then and there, and that body proceeded to appoint all the necessary committees and the work went,rapidly forward. The result, ladies and gentlemen, is before you, and I subrni't with all humility that you have now in this city an Exhibition such as any colony under British rule might well be proud of. 'It would be quite impossible for n)c to give you in detail anything but, a very faint idea of all the wonderful things there are for your examination; only very numerous visit? to the Exhibition can make you thoroughly acquainted with them. But I might mention at least that amongst many other attractions we have to pu1 before you there will be a splendic military tournament, with all man ncr of contests of strength and skill living whist and chess tournaments with magnificent spectacular attrac tions; . vocal and instrumental con tests; athletics of all kind's, wh'ils here in the four walls of this ,o]i

building'- you have an excellent collection of the divine art of painting, and here (pointing" to the, orchestra and chorus), a rich promise of magnificent music, with the king of instrument!; at the head. | 'To the parents of all the children in this city and province I have a ! message. Bring your children to the i Exhibition again and again, and give them the full benefit of a close acquaintance with all the valuable and interesting exhibits now before you. i It. will be many a year, probably, be- , fore Aucklanders, either young or old. will have a repetition of such a treat, and (ho fullest advantage should be Milken of it now; remembering always j that a. well stored mind is n constant treasure —a storehouse which shall last as long as life lasts. | 'Exhibitions are now universal. All i the world over, wherever there is a nation of industrious workers, where- ! ever the busy inventive mind of man I is a living force, wherever the toiling , hand is working out the designs of I the thinker —there you will have healj thy industrial communities, and as an outcome. Exhibitions., j 'And now, ladies and gentlemen, be- ! for« resuming the modest level from which I rose, 1 .should like publicly to | thank your excellent friends in WelI lington for the valuable assistance and advice received from them in planning and carrying out the thoroi uglily representative Exhibition now before you. I should like to state that should the public of Wellington at I any time decide to hold another exhibition, I shall be amongst the very i first men in this city to assist them to the fullest extent in my power. I should also like to take this opportunity of publicly thanking all the members of the Executive; all the members of Committee, both ladies and gentlemen, for the excellence of the work they have done. Carrying out this great work has been no sinecure, 1 can assure you, and very-great demands have been made from every member connected with it. Those demands have been most cheerfully met and to-day it is a great pleasure to me that I stand here after twenty months' work just as good friends with everyone as I w:ts at the outset. "And now 1 will detain you very little longer. I might have said a great deal inorv about exhibitions generally, and our own especially, as well as about the great natural wealth of this colony and its future. Hut some ground must be left for others. I should like, however, to tell you of a very remarkable exhibition I attended in September, 1875. That wa.s the Jubilee of Railways, hi a large and handsome court was a mag> nifieent display of locomotives from all parts of Great Britain. In a modest sober Quaker town called Darlington ('my native town) in the far North Conn tree, there wa.s the birth place of railways. Planned and completed by ii mere handful of qunkrrs in the days of the broad brimmed hats for the gentlemen and coal scuttle bonnets for their ladies, this marvellous work was begun. How it lias grown and changed the surface of tlu> whole world you know. The . Locomotive Inhibition of IS7"> was a grand object lesson. Imagine a large court with types of all the different locomotives in use, standing in :i circle; and in the very heart and centre of this group then1 stood—after fifty years—the first locomotive that was evpr run on a public railway; Locomotive No. I wtis its name, and nwotiderful piece of engineering it was. On its left flank were great grim monsters of engines for heavy mineral traffic, whilst on the other were the more" graceful and speedy Flying Scotchmen, of GO miles an hour. There, in the midst of them all, stood the mother locomotive, with a full head of steam on too, and although small enough to be pwt inside one of the giants, she made more fuss and noise and puff than any of the leviathans. Such a thlV.p of crank and rods you never heard. But the rlear old lady wns entitled } o '.spread herself somewhat that day. being- the mother of all the powerful and speedy sons around her. 'And now. Your Excellency, I have to express to you our high appreciation of the great honour you are doing, this city in being present on this jeeasion. T would ask you to address this audience shortly and declare he Auckland Industrial anr> Mibin«Exhibition open." THE GOVRflXOirs A.DDKEBB. His Excellency Lord .Ranl'urlv then iscended the platform to address the lssemblagc. He was received with >rolonged applause. His Excellency said:—'Mr President, Ladies and :..<Mitlemen,—l congratulate thj citizens of Auckland upon their Exhibition being an accomplished success. I. had the pleasure of going round the 2Ourts yesterday, and I must confess 1 thought it. very likely that to-day would prove to be an exhibition of workmen completing setting things in arder. Whether some fairies descended during the night I cannot say (laughter), but the /transformation between eleven o'clock yesterday and twelve o'clock to-day has been something that would astonish anyone. (Applause.) It simply has .served to show once more what British pluck can do, and that'-difficulties are .simply a matter to be overcome. (Applause.) The questions that naturally I consider when coming to an Exhibition of this sort is, of what benefit is it, to the colony, and also to the community at large. There is now no doubt that exhibitions are of immense advantage. People naturally think of them solely as a means of advertising their wares. It is, however, more for the purpose of seeing what others can do, with a view of going one better ourselves, that exhibitions are held. (Applause.) You have in this colony one Very great advantage which I should like to see in our own country at Home—that-is, very cheap patents. There is no doubt that the reason America has gone so very far ahead in inventions is because in that country every man can obtain his patent there easily, and have his ideas utilised. Although in America they have to pay high prices for labour, .still they manage to manufacture and sell their goods all over the world, despite these high prices. That is mainly due to the fact that I over there they have the most modern i machinery and latest patents, and I have men skilled and brought up to their particular trades almost from j infancy. They go -in very generally | for turning out only,one thing, but | in such an enormously wholesale manner that they are able to sell cheaply. We can learn from them the good object lesson as to what we ought to do with a.view of furthering our own industries. (Applause.) There is one matter in connection with this Exhi- ] bition .which I dp not think any jnsjticehas been dbritfto.' It is possibly a very little at the present time, but

'in the future of this colony it will become very important—that is the tourist traffic! In the short time I have been in these islands I have had the advantage of seeing- many of their I beauties. .1 may say that one governor made the remark that to see Itotorua alone was worth the trouble of coming- out to New Zealand, and returning1 again. (Applause.) You certainly have here a small Rotorua, but none of the many varied attractions i Nature has provided for you else- ! where seem to be advertised here as : they should be. Auckland is naturally one of the starting places for touristfi, and it is of very great interest to sec that, all these advantages are laid before visitors',. (x\pplause.) Ladies and gentlemen, I will not deI tain yon longer, but conclude simply , by announcing this Exhibition is now i open. (Applause.) A PHOTOGEAPH. The Governor's speech over, the ; audience and chorus were asked to remain 'very steady' while the Exhibition photographer, Mr Britt, took a j photo of the scene. His Excellency I stood firm as a rock, so did the Prei mier, but there was a good deal of movement and rustling among the audience, who divided their attention between the camera and the platform. i 'One more, please,' called out the ! photographer, when the cap was safely on Ihe camera again. But the Governor shook his head and descended from the platform ; evidently one was quite enough. THE PREMIER'S SPEECH. The Jlight Jlon. R. .1. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, then mounted the platform amidst applause. He said: 'Your Excellency, Mr President, ladies and gentlemen: Jn looking at thi! agenda on my arrival here 1 found the following: 'A short address by the Premier.' (Applause.) First, of all 1 must apologise to the youth and beauty I see here (turning to the orchestral benches) for having on this occasion to turn my back upon them. (Laughter.) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, 1 congratulate \ Auckland upon this splendid Exhibition. (Applause.) First we had an ] exhibition at Christehurch, then one j at Wellington, which was followed j by one at: Dtmedin, but like the postscript in a ladies' Jotter the last is the best, and that is at Auckland, j (Applause.) 1 have no doubt, Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, that yon have profiled by what has taken I place at the other exhibitions, and, in the words of His Excellency, you have gone one better. ( pplause.) There is no doubt some good is attained by having1 these exhibitions, and there is one thing we have to be very thankful for., that is, our natural conservation. We Khali never have in this colony of New Zealanc' the j centre in only one place, like we see ] in Melbourne, in Victoria, and Byd- ' ncy. in New South Wales. ]t is well ] we have these natural advantages, j as it results in several centres vicing with each other to develop the natural { resources of these fair lands. 1 am ! sure by these exhibitions the whole j colony will profit. There will be a ; direct advantage to you here in this j province, and it i.s pleasant to look I back from this point to the progress j you hiu'C made. In IS.'>] you had uj population of about GOOU, but to-day '■ you have fully 60,000. (Applause.*) It would bo out ot" place for me to ■ 'weary you with details, lr.it there are j somr of you industries which T must j refer briefly. You have in gold alone 1 exported {,'8,000,000 (applause), and j I don't know what our gold miners have been about, but they must admit now that kauri gum has topped them by £300,000 for the export of I that industry totals £5,500,000 (ap- j | plausft), and there has not b?en nearly the .same capital invested in kauri gum as in gold, nor nearly so much j i lost (Ir.vghtor). or perhaps 1 should j 'have said made (anylausQ ;»nd lough-i ter). However it is pleasant indeed j for roc to ba here with you to-day. ) j When you waited upon the Govern- j ; merit to ask for some assistance it i \ was wiin }ih::i--u:V we gave you what; was retjiiirtHt. V\e feei thai the £500: vo g*ave will be returned to us in- : ' directly, to say uoihinj* of the eel- j 'lateral gain tv huiu.-*:r;os and other) advantages. (Applause.) Then when; i you came (i train and asked for £250; : for the goldfields conn —you knew j j my weakness and played upon it. j > (laughter). I had to .succumb and say J j yes. (Applause.) Not sa\isfied witli i ! that you came again once more aud i ! once tnorc got what you asked. That < | is ov.c of the attributes of Auckland, ; i at least so they say in the South, j ! ( La lighter.) This time you wanted ; ! snnv.1 little assistance to promote j ' geysers nearer than JKotorua, j and again the Government had to "" assist you cheerfully. [/You have here to-day, and you will! 'have with you during the season of j ; the Exhibition, visitors from all parts ' of the1 colony: and I fee) savisiicd ', there is no part of Xew Zealand where hospitality is more kindly and hearty than here in beautiful Auckland (ap- ! plii.use). .1 will bring my remarks tc. ! a close by saying hew pleased indeed j , I inn to be- here with you. I also ex-1 jjiress regret, that owing to eircuni- 1 stances over which I have no control | I niin the only representative of my i colleagues on the. Ministry. But I ! assure you that although not here today my colleagues are with you in spirit. (Applause.) The Minister of Justice asked me to express his ret gret at not being present to-day. He will be here later, and will devote some time to the services of Exhibition. (Applause.) I have been reI quested by the President to propose a vote of thanks to His Excellency the Governor for being present today, and for having so we!! performed the function assigned to him. namely the opening of this Exhibition. T do so with very great pleasure (loud applause). Of Lord Ranfurly. our present Governor, this colony has every reason to he proud( renewed applause). Circumstances over which he has no control have prevented him from being in Auckland as I know from time to time he would have liked to be; but I am pleased to say that these, difficulties are now almost removed. Government House will shortly be completed and His Excellency will then make a prolonged stay amongst you. (Applause.) The more you see of him, the more he is with yon, the more you will appreciate him. Personally T may say we have had no previous Governor who has better represented our Mother Country and Her Gracious Majesty thar Lord Ranfurly. In our present Governor we have a practical man. He is at home in the orchard, in the field in the pa.lace. As Her Majesty's re preservative, and in everything con | nected with his office he is well abl< to play his part in the economy o our great Empire. I am sure lie i: pleased to be with you under the aus pieious circumstances of to-day. Onb a short time- ago it looked as thong]

I this Exhibition would be damped, and the colony and.the dear, old Em- ; pire itself threatened -with the .bursting of a war cloud. Happily it has all passed over. (Applause.) His Excellency has been thereby greatly relieved and there is joy all over the Em- ; pire that our flag is still respected, , and that we are prepared to maintain I our position before the nations of the I -world. (Applause.) We ask you, I therefore, ladies and gentlemen, to ! give to His Excellency a hearty vote iof thanks, and I would like to. inI elude Lady Eanfurly. (Lond applause.) Because, after all it must j be admitted we owe a great deal to ; our wives, and though I do, not like to., disclose family secrets, I know the assistance and support I have received from my own wife, and can safely say that Your Excellency has in Lady ! Ranfurly a kind and cheerful adviser. l 'And now,' concluded the Premier, | 'I want ot see what the lung-power of i Auckland is like.' He himself led i three ringing theers for the Governor, | followed by three for Lady Tlanfurly, { and as the last echoes of the cheering j died away there rose the glorious j strains of the 'Hallelujah Chorus,' given Avith a verve and power seldom I heard in Auckland before. The cerej mony was brought to a conclusion iby an organ solo by Mr 'x'owsey, who played Handel's 'Coronation Anthem' ! and Gounod's upon the Prelude of S. Bach.' I After the ceremony the audience i gradually dispersed, to wander about i the Exhibition, to see and to be seen. Throughout the day crowds thronged the buildings and promenaded on the lawn outside. At three o'clock in the afternoon some bicvele races were run by the Auckland Cycling Club at the sports ground, in the presence of the vice-regal party and a large attendance of the public. A BRILLIANT SUCCESS. Any .scepticism us to the popularity of the Exhibition must have been removed by a glimpse inside the building*. The place is a moving mass of humanity. Not a crush, for the broad avenues in every direction and the many entrances and exits effectually prevented any crowding; but a continuous stream of people pour along each avenue and make each court a bright and busy thoroughfare. Indeed, 'doing' the Exhibition promises to be as popular as 'doing the block' in Queen street. And there is so much to be seen. The first visit merely serves to show how many more visits are required to exhaust the attractions of the place. The avenues make splendid promenades, and the visitor is generally content, on tirst entering the Exhibition, to stroll through the courts, giving a casual glance here and there, stopping now and then before some particularly striking exhibit, but on the whole making but a cursory examina- , tioii. Fuller inspection, thinks he to himself, must be left for future visits. .Meanwhile it is pleasant to hear the music of the band floating in iron j the adjoining court, to ree the moving j mass of colour streaming along each avenue, to meet so many of one's acquaintances and friends. It is pleasant to sit in one of the pretty kiosks, i and while sipping a cup of afternoon ! tea to look out upon the crowd. These kiosks, by the way, are an important! factor in She popularity of the Exhibi- ! tion, as the visitor soon discovers. And vhen the rouitd of the interior has ■ been completed, there Ls the lawn outside, and the bright sunshin:. and the flowers. Altogether, the Exhibition is a pleasant place.