AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11752, 2 December 1898, Page 5

AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

THE OPENING CEREMONY. [Per Press Association,] AUCKLAND, Dec. 1. The ceremony of opening the Auckland Exhibition to-day, passed off sucftesS* fully. The arrangements Were satisfactory, and the weather was fine. About seven-hun-dred of the Auckland volunteers, under Colonel Banks, paraded, and received the‘Governor with honours due to his ofllpial rank. Shortly before noon, the Premier, the-Mayor of Auckland (Mr P. Dignan), Bishop and Mrs Gowie, the Consuls of foreign countries. Captain Brown, of H.M.S. Tanranga, the lieutbirant-commandir of H.M.S. Royalist, and a party of naval officers, arrived, and-a few minutes later tiieJGovrirnbr andi theCounles of Ranfnriy wemes&arbed'to-thedais. A choir of 200 voices (accompanied by. a strong orchestra) sang the National Anthem, under tire condncftorship |of Professor Schmidt, after which Bishop Gowie offered up a prayer. The “Old Hundredth ” was then sung by the choir. ■ His Excellency, after referring bo thO valilo of industrial exhibitions, said that in; this colony inventors had one-very great- advantage in the small expense -in obtaining letters patent. America-oWediMctepf her progross -ito her patent laws. He referred-fco -the advantages widoh would follow the encoimigcment of the tourist traffic, and said that the-scenic advantages 0-f the colony had not been property advertised, The Premier having given ar short address, the formal proceedings dosed with cheers for the Governor.