THE INDIAN AND COLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7863, 19 May 1886, Page 5

THE INDIAN AND COLONIAL EXHIBITION.

THE OPENING CEREMONY. The Argus of May 5 had the following concise account of the opening of the great Exhibition, cabled to Victoria by its special correspondent:— London, Mat 4. The Colonial and Indian Exhibition at South Kensington was opened to-day by Her Majesty the Queen. Her Majesty, who was accompanied by the Crown Princess of Germany, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry of Battenburg, and Prince Louis of Battenburg, left Windsor thin morning by special train. On arrival at Paddington station the Royal party entered six state carriages, and were driven through Hyde 'Park to the Exhibition. Her Majesty wore her Imperial crown and robes of State. The route taken by the Royal party was lined by the Household Cavalry and the. Grenadier Guards. Hundreds of carriages were in the parks* The day was beautifully fine, and the streets along the route were filled with immense crowds of people, who cheered the Royal party most enthusiastically. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was accompanied ‘by the Princess of Wales and several members of their family, drove direct from Marlborough House to the Exhibition, where the Prince received Her Majesty at the Colonial Entrance Hall. His Royal Highness, as Executive President of the Royal Commission, presented to Her Majesty all the members of the Royal Commission and Executive Commissioners for the various Colonies and India.

A procession was then formed, which included the members of the diplomatic body, the officers of State, and the Commissioners, who wore uniforms. The spectacle was most brilliant and gorgeous. The Royal party was conducted through the Colonial Entrance Hall, which is beautifully decorated, and contains all around the walls pictures of the great cities of the British Empire, commencing with a magnificent panorama of the mother city of them all, modern London. Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney have each been allotted two panels. One view of Melbourne shows the infant settlement of Batman and Fawkner from the Falls Bridge in 1839. The second shows Melbourne in 1866, the view having been taken from the dome of the Melbourne International Exhibition, looking seaward. The two are placed in juxtaposition, and afford a graphic illustration of the marvellous growth and development of the Victorian capital. Sydney harbour is skilfully treated, one view, evidently taken from the North Shore, being particularly beautiful. Adelaide is represented by a panoramic view taken from Mount Lofty, the second picture being an animated representation of King William street. The capitals of Queensland, Western Australia, and New Zealand ate. also represented in the Colonial Entrance Hall. The, procession traversed the Indian section, turned northward through the Colonial division, and proceeded across the grounds to the Albert Hall, passing the New South Wales and Victorian courts on the right and left hand respectively. A gilt arch has been erected at the entrance to the Victorian court. The statues of Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales at the entrance to the New South Wales court attracted the attention of the Royal party. The route taken by the procession was densely lined by Colonial visitors and others. THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY. The inaugural ceremony was performed in the Albert Hall in the presence of over 10,000 persons, all of whom held special invitations. The throne on which Her Majesty sat was draped with crimson curtains, and the floor was covered with a splendid cloth-of-gold carpet. The members of the Royal party, and those who formed the procession, stood grouped in front of the orchestra. In the address of the Royal Commission to Her Majesty, which was read by the Prince of Wales, the most flattering allusion was made to the patriotic spirit displayed by the great Colonies of the British Empire, and by India, in voting large sums of money, and sending special representatives to London, for the purpose of showing to the world their wonderful progress, and demonstrating the vaatness and grandeur of Her Majesty’s possessions. The federal spirit which pervaded the Exhibition was gracefully recognised. A gold master-key, which opens 500 locks in the various apartments of the Exhibition, was then presented to Her Majesty. The Most Rev Edward White Benson, D.D., Archbishop of Canterbury, offered an opening prayer, after which the “ Hallelujah Chorus” was sung by 1000 voices, the effect being very grand. An ode, specially written for the occasion by the poet laureate. Lord Tennyson, was then sung by Madame Albani and a choir of voices. Sir Arthur Sullivan acting as conductor. Madame Albani afterwards, sang “ Home, Sweet Home.” The whole formed a most picturesque and affecting scene. Her Majesty and the Royal party then left, the choir singing “ Rule Britannia,” and amid loud cheers proceeded to Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty expressed surprise and delight at the magnitude of the Exhibition, and the excellence and variety of the Australasian exhibits afforded her much gratification. SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE EXHIBITION. ' During the, day the Exhibition was visited by fully 30,000 persons. The jungle scene, which marks the commencement of the Grand Central Avenue of the Indian section, is greatly admired, as well as the magnificent display of jewellery and carvings in stone and wood. The Australian Courts are all in excellent order, and considerable surprise is manifested at the creditable display of products and manufactures made by each of the Colonies. The grand display of paintings in the Victorian Court appeared to take everybody by surprise, few among the visitors having had any conception that such progress had been made at the Antipodes in art matters. The golden trophy and fernery, the educational exhibits, as well as the timber and mining collections, all excited great interest. Ballarat and Sandhurst, as the two great centres of the goldmining industry, occupy places of honour on either side of the gold trophy, which is of novel and effective design. Handsome views of those inland cities are painted on • the walla, and in other parts of the Court they are also conspicuous. The splendid working model of the Band of Hope and Albion Consols Battery was shown to the Royal visitors, who expressed themselves much interested and pleased. The New South Wales Court, which occupies part of the same annexe, was the centre of attraction for a large number of those present. The Court is well and tastefully arranged, a charming effect having been obtained by the introduction of a large aviary, full of living birds, which spans the fan-shaped entrance, while fern grottoes and fountains have also been constructed. The exhibits from New South Wales are very numerous, a splendid suite of furniture and billiard table comparing favourably with anything of the kind in the Exhibition, although in this section Victoria is particularly strong. A handsome conservatory is, also, one of the features of the Court. The mining and timber collections are well arranged, ami the wool, as might be anticipated, occupies a very prominent place. The South Australian Court, which is under the direction

of Sir Samuel Davenport, is one of the best arranged in the whole Exhibition. A blaokfellow’a camp and stockmans hut, with plenty of pretty effects m the way of trickling waterfalls and rocky gro > occupy a considerable .extent of sp , and it is evident that the.Court,will to corneas popular as was that of th e g Colony in Melbourne m splendid gold specimens and other exhibits from the Northern Territory are shown while the display of manufactured articles is remarkably good. New , also a splendidly arranged Court, and a general opinion was expressed that Australia has taken a position of which every member of the group may feel proud. Even Fiji is creditably represented, the only member of the family absent from the gathering being Tasmania, a circumstance which is very generally regretted. The ferneries of New Zealand, Victoria and New South Wales are universally admired, that of New Zealand being the largest and most elaborate. , , , ... The Colonial ferneries when lighted with electricity were greatly admired, and were visited by thousands. The Colonial dining-rooms are thronged. The arrangements are excellent. The Australian wine bars are much frequented, and very favourable opinions are expressed of the Australian wines. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Princess of Wales and Prince Albert Victor, inspected the Exhibition early this morning when ifc was lighted up.