OPENING OF THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9992, 23 March 1898, Page 5

OPENING OF THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

AN IMPOSING SCENE.

(PRBSS ASSOCIATION ____G___l.)

DUNEDIN, March 2-.

The Jubilee Industrial Exhibition waa opened this evening. There was a very large attendance, including the Governor (Lord Ranfurly), the Premier (Right Hon. R. J. Seddon), a number of members of both Houses, also the captains of H.M.S. Tauranga and visitors from all parts of the colony. The opening ceremony was in the Agri. cultural Hall. As the Governor entered the assembly rose and sang the National Anthem. The Hon. T. Fergus, in an address on Withe objeots of the exhibition, after refe-mng to the pluck and perseverance of the early settlers, said the A. and P. Society's winter show had proved so successful that more accommodation was required, and it had been decided to hold the exhibition. The merc—utile classes had responded generously to the appeal made, and within twenty-four hours a sum of nearly £800 was subscribed and twice that sum guaranteed. Two or three gentlemen forming the Agricultural Hall Company put their hands in their pockets and provided £2000, taking deben. tures which were held for a short time •_- ---then destroyed, as they had no object bob to benefit the provincial district, and they hoped that the exhibition buildings would be handed to the Society as an enaow__a.t tree of debt or inffnmbrance. Lord Ranfurly then called on the Premier, who spoke of the good qualities possessed by the early settlers of the Province, and said that wherever they had gone to settle . in the colony they had shown the same characteristics, and had proved themselves good colonists. It was well known to whom was due the credit of ___ settlement of Otago. It was the Free Ghurch of Scotland, and in that con**_ec«. tion he mentioned the names of Captain Cargill and Dr. Burns, and mentioned the subsequent efforts for the colony's welfare of Mr James Macandrew, an unselfish states* man and patriot, who had sacrificed his life for the good of the southern portion of this great colony. To show the progress made by Otago, he mentioned that tifty years ago the population was 745, while to-day it waa 169,000; under cultivation there were 2,200,000 acres, there were 185,000 head ot cattle, over four million sheep, and over 53,000 horses. Last year the output of manufactures was valued at two ra-lfions sterling, and the total gold produce of the province was over twenty-one mi-_a*_-sterling. There were 31,739 scholar/*, and there were seventy-five public libraries with 87,000 books. The Mayor said he regarded the Industrial Exhibition as a most fitting event as a part of the jubilee celebrations, because if the country was to be a great country, it must be by the establishment of industries and arts which had made the Old Country great. Lord Ranfurly expressed regret at the absence ot Lady Ranfurly, who was con« fined to bed, but hoped she would be able to take part in the next day's events. He __•> pressed deep pleasure at being present on the occasion, and referred to the fact that* during the time he had been in the colony-te had learnt a good deal about Otago. He . i paid a high compliment to the early suttlers* and referred to the progress in Industrie*-', especially woollen manufactures and mining. |He expressed the opinion that the mining I industry would ' employ more and more people. He.noticed in the Exhibition nearly i every requisite for every inhabitant was ex-; hibited, and nearly everything was of home I manufacture. He again referred to the energies of the founders of the settlement, and recommended the present generation to teach their children to follow in the footsteps Of the old identities, so as to make the colony one of the foremost in her Majesty'e dominions. He concluded .by declaring the Exhibition open amidst hearty cheers. The Choral Sooiety and Orchestral'Sctrji-ty during the evening rendered the 100 th Psalm, " Thanks be to God" (Elijah) and the " Hallelujah Chorus." The Exhibition generally is nearly __•*»• plete., It is divided into Early History, . Picture and Art Gallery, Fisheries and Acclimatisation, Education, New Zealand Manufactures, Mining and Metallurgical Courts. The Manufactures Court comprises about 150 bays, and is generally representative of Otago products,- manufactures and industries.

The number of outside exhibitors; is limited, but there are some some exhibits from Melbourne, Christchurch, Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson, Westland, Auckland, Tasmania, Western Australia. The total space devoted to the Exhibition is 45,00----square feet. The Mining Court is an excellent one, and the Early History Court ib interesting. In the picture gallery are many pictureby famous artists, kindly lent by thslr owners, while Lady Ranfurly shows watercolours of New Zealand scenery. • The Governor held a levee to-day, which was largely attended. *■• •