OPENING OF THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 50, 2 October 1880, Page 2

OPENING OF THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

THE MARQUIS OF NORMANBY'S

SPEECH.

[Reuter's Special to Stab.*]

Melbourne, Friday. The Exhibition in Carlton Gardens was opened to-day, which was proclaimed a public holiday. The weather was fine, but cloudy and windy. The proceedings were as follows : — The various associations and trades assembled at an early hour, and formed a procession, which traversed the principal streets. The Fire Brigades rendezvoused at Flinders street, awaiting the vice-regal party, which left Government House at 10.20, under salute. The p&tfty C6fifiistfed oS fche Mar<jnls «n<3 Xaciy Normanb'y, the Dnlte of Manchester, Lord and Lady Loftus, Sir William and Lady and the Misses jervois, Sir William and I Lady Robinson, Sir Francis and Lady Smith, Commodore Wilson, and their' respective suites. The cortege consisted of twelve carriages. The military, and naval force, comprising 500 British, 800 Foreign blue jackets, and' provincial and metropolitan volunteers, assembled previously, the former taking up their position at the Exhibition, and the latter preceding the Gove nor's party, and forming in line. Afterwards, the trades formed in double line, and the carriages passed through them, the trades following in procession to the gates, then entering the grounds, with the bands playing the national anthem. The Governor's' party was received at the Exhibition by the Victorian Commissioners, and then con« ducted to the dais, where the distinguished visitors, foreign consuls, ministers, members of parliament, bishops, judges,- and other functionaries, had seats.

On the approach of the Marquis of Normanby, the National Anthem was sung by the choir, which afterwards sang a cantata specially composed for the occasion. Mr. Clark, the Resident Comissioner, then read the address to the Governor, who, in replying, said the undertaking was most creditable to the Commissioners, to the Executive, and to Parliament. The display of industry and /art in the building was one which any country might well be proud of; and the "foresight, energy and ability with which the details had been earned oat, reflected the highest credit on the community. The Imperial Government, and the foreign countries and colonies had promptly co-operated, and now it was an assured fact that the Exhibition would rank equal to its predecessors as a satisfactory exponent of the world's industries. He concluded by declaring the Exhibition. open in the name of the Queen. The Royal Standard was hoisted on the building, salutes were fired, and the Governor and party then proceeded round the building, and visited tlie various courts, where the Commissioners and representatives of the various countries were presented to his Excellency. .