THE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 7430, 27 January 1888, Page 2

THE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS.

[Bt Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] [Per Press Association.] SYDNEY, January 26. One of the principal events of the Centennial celebrations took place at noon today, when the dedication of the Centennial Park was performed by Governor Carrington. His Excellency entered the Park at the Paddington gates under a salute of seventeen guns. The local military and naval forces, comprising 2,000 men, formbd the guard of honor. Twelve bands were present. The following planted trees in commemoration of the occasion: Lady Carrington, Countess of Carnarvon,' Sir Henry B. Loch, Sir William Jervois, Sir William Robinson, Sir Anthony Musgrave, Sir Robert Hamilton, Sir Frederick N, Broome, Sir Charles Mitchell, Earl of Carnarvon, Duke of Manchester, Sir Henry Parkes, and the President of the Centennial Commission. There was a very large assemblage present, and the speeches delivered were few and brief. His Excellency then declared the Centennial Park to be dedicated and open to the public. Another salute of nineteen guns was then fired, and cheers were called for Governor and Lady Carrington, the combined bands playing ‘God Save the Queen.’ The work in the Park is so far advanced that not much remains to be performed before the layingout m completed. " -v The Committee to whom was entrusted the work of distributing tickets for food to the deserving poor have had a busy time of it, No fewer than 11,000 tickets have been

distributed since six o clock yesterday morning. The applications appear to be mostly from the thrifty class of the poor. (Received January 27, 1887. at 1.45 a.m.) The city was most brilliantly illuminated and decorated to-night, quite surpassing the display made on the occasion of the Jubilee festivities. George street was lined with 100 red Venetian masts supporting an endless line of banners, heraldic shields being interspersed along the line, the whole being illuminated by large numbers of lanterns. Three arches spanned the roadway at intervals, and lines of bunting were flying in George, Pitt, and the other principal streets. The buildings were illuminated with most intricate devices, showing a considerable expenditure in time and money ; but the illuminations were somewhat interfered with by the breeze blowing. The tower of the General Post Office was adorned with arc lights, placed at an elevation of over 200 ft above the level of the street. In Oxford street there were five more arches with continuous festoons, and on each side of the Streets were colored glass lamps. The statues of Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, and Captain Cook were garlanded with strings of lamps, and thousands of lamps were scattered among the trees and flowers in the Park, presenting a most attractive appearance. The Town Hall was similarly adorned, and was a perfect blaze of colored lights and devices. Flags were flyiug from every pole, and from anything to which a flag could bo tacked with advantage. All wheeled traffic was stopped in the central streets, which wore rendered quite impassable, the crowd filling them all night. It was estimated that at least 200,000 people were about the streets. The shipping in harbor contributed very little to the display, with the exception of discharging a few rockets, etc., the crews evidently preferring to reserve themselves for the harbor illuminations which are to take place to-morrow night, and again on Wednesday evening. Between 800 and 900 guests were present at the State banquet, for whom ample preparations were made, and which was carried out in an excellent manner. At the head of the room a raised table was placed, which was occupied by some fifty notabilities—lords, governors, premiers, and others. Sir William Jervois replied to the toast of “ The Governors,” his speech being devoted entirely to the aspect of colonial defence. He expressed regret that Now Zealand Ministers were absolutely precluded by urgent public business from taking part in the great celebration. He referred to his eleven years’ connection with the defence of the colonies, and praised the readiness displayed by the several colonial Parliaments in passing the Naval Defences Bill. They must not forget that it was highly essential that commercial routes should be guarded as well as harbors. He spoke approvingly of the labors to that end made by the Earl of Carnarvon in his position as chairman of the Defence Commission, and congratulated the colonies on the work they had done and on the advanced state of their defences, which was a most important factor in the great work of Federation. Portions of Sir William’s speech were loudly cheered. THE QUEEN’S CONGRATULATIONS. SYDNEY, January 27. Lord Carrington has received a cablegram from Her Majesty congratulating the Australian colonies on the splendid material and social progress achieved by them in the past hundred years. Her Majesty also expresses deep appreciation of the loyalty of Australia, and says that she has watched with sincere interest the excellent administration of their respective governments, and prays that their prosperity and close attachment to the Mother Country may continue to increase as hitherto. His Excellency replied, stating that Her Majesty’s telegram had been read at the State banquet amidst great cheering and enthusiasm ; aH the Australian Governors, as well as 1,000 guests, including most of the leading statesmen and citizens of Australasia being present. THE CENTENARY MEDAL, At the banquet last night Sir Henry Parkes presented Lord Carrington with the first commemoration medal struck. The design is a very appropriate one. On one side is a picture of Britannia, with the words “ Centenary of Australasia” printed over the top. Underneath, at the base of Britannia, is the date of the anniversary, January 20, 1783, surmounted by “ V.R.,” with a crown between V. and R. The device on the other side is encircled with a wreath of Australian flowers, in the centre of which is the badge of the Colony, surmounted by the Imperial Crown and surmounted by a motto and the figures 1883, Each of the Governors is to receive a medal. After presenting the medal, Sir Henry Parkes proposed the toast “Australasia: her Trials and Triumphs in the Past and her Union and Progress in the future,” The toast was received with ringing cheers, Lord Carnarvon and the various Governors replied to the toast “ Our Honored Guests of the Mother Country.” Sir William Fitzherbert, on behalf of New Zealand, offered his congratulation and sympathy to the sister colony on such an occasion, and expressed regret at the unavoidable absence of a New Zealand Minister from the banquet. The banquet was a most brilliant affair, and lasted till midnight.