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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 177, 2 August 1888, Page 2

LATER.

A MAGNIFICENT DEMONSTRATION. ALL FORMER EFFORTS ECLIPSED. MELBOURNE AS A RIVAL OF LONDON AND PARIS. A GLORIOUS PAGEANT. MOST BRILLIANT SPECTACLE EVER BEEN IN THE COLONIES, The city was early astir this morning thousands of people thronging the streets. The day was observed as a public holiday throughout the colony. Collins street was the concentrating point for the principal bodies which were to parti J cipate in the procession, and there the crowd became densest. The Exhibition buildings presented a mag. nifioent appearance. The expenditure by the Commissioners, if lavish, has not bsen thrown away, The effect produced was most imposj ing. The expenditure on the buildings wax about £140,000. The decorations produced an exceedingly pretty effect. The golden ball on the top of the great dome—which, rising to a height of three hundred feet, is such a conspicuous feature on the Melbourne landscape was surmounted by a magnificent royal standard which floated proudly over the blaze of color that brightened up every part of the thirty, four acres of buildings. Around the whole of this vast area, rising from every gable and and minaret were flagstaffs, gay with bunting Flags, and banners were used in these decora, tions of certainly between two and three thousand. Carlton Gardena, in whioh the Exhibition buildings are situated, are also brilliantly decorated, and when illuminated with the eleotrio light at night will become a veritable fairyland. No such spectacle has ever been witnessed south of the equator Melbourne appears to have poured out her wealth publicly and privately, without stint, to make a display that should rival the great shows of the first European capitals. Euro, pean visitors will find it hard to believe thq( they are not in London or Parle—that all this outpouring of wealth and magnificence is indeed taking place in a city standing on a site which forty years ago was a howling wilderness. The city is so crowded with visitors that accommodation even in the is hard to procure. The whole of the gov, ernors of the colonies, who were housed under the same roof for the first time in the history of Australia at the Centennial Celebrations at Sydney, have onee more assembled

to duly represent the Imperial interest in this great event, which will make centenary year of Australian eoionisa tion ever more strikingly illustrated than anything done in connection with the celebration in the mother colony a few months ago. A splendid pageant was presented by a grand procession to Carlton gardens. 806 marines and blue jackets were landed far the occasion from H.M.S. Nelson, Calliope, Diemond, Rapid, and Lizard. The French warship in port also contributed to the number. After the military in procession came about 800 firemen in uniform, with forty different pieces of fire extinguishing apparatus, accompanied by several bands of music. Then earns members of different friendly societies to ths number of 3000, displaying flags and banners, marching from Collins street to the music of four bands. Last of all came the associated trades numbering 8000, with six bands of music. This enormous procession was witnessed by immense crowds of people who cheered enthusiastically. The combined procession lined the greater part of Collins street four deep. 12 officers, 42 sub-officers, and three hundred and fifty constables were required to maintain order.

At noon the artillery signalled the entrance into the Exhibition of the vice-regal party, who were tljen conducted through the building. On entering the Grand hall the organ and orchestra played the national anthem, the Governors and principals ascended the dais, the President then offered a prayer, aud the Old Hundredth was sung. Sir James Mcßain then stepped forward, and presented Sir Henry Loch with the address that had been adopted by the Exhibition Commissioners, together with an official programme and the thanksgiving cantata. His Excellency’s reply and announcement declaring exhibition open were only audible to those standing in dose proximity to ths dais, but immediately afterwards the music ot the cantata swelled forth in powerful strains.

The vice regal then proceeded to inspect treasures ot the building. These are not in such good order as could be wished. Blank spaces occur in nearly all courts, and there is a general air of want of preparation and confusion, Several weeks will elapse before all exhibits are got in their places. The German Court is practically complete, and makes a splendid ehow. The American Court is worst of all, the exhibits not yc( being landed from the Mariposa. ' On the recommendation of the Orchestra Committee, in conjunction with Mr Cowan, the concerts to be given will be known as special orchestral concerts. One of the great events will ba the entertainment of the visitors by the Governor, followed by a banquet to all the colonial Legislatures by the members of the Victorian Parliament. The New Zealand Court faces the Avanut of Nations, and has a striking appearance, the whole of the fittings being made ot New Zealand wood. The Victorian Rifle Aseociaticn'a Centennial meeting will last for six days.gSThe prlxe money amounts to £4OOO,