THE COMMONWEALTH INAUGURATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11937, 10 January 1901, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH INAUGURATION.

THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY. AN HISTORICAL PROCESSION. (Br Oob SrxoiAL ConnusroNDm, G. C. Cbaig.) SYDNEY, January 2, The manufacture of Auetralasian history has been going on rapidly. ■ The hour of the Commonwealth was. ushered in on Monday night by a special service, and again to-day by tho prayers of all the churches, including a loyal and graceful prayer to Almighty God on behalf of Queen, Empire, and Australia by Cardinal Moran. In the midst of such a sea of Australian and British loyalty as was witnessed to-day in Sydney it is hard to know where to begin. At dawn tho multitudes, arrayed in their brightest and best, appeared upon the balconies of the Queen City of the Commonwealth. The scene on the gailydecorated streets was sublime. Was it not justifiable? We have fought in every clime, we havo conquered on every sea, we have founded colonies, and in the mighty State of Australasia—the work of our own hands— another nation has been added to the British Crown. Not onco nor twice in our rough island story Has the path of duly been the way to glory. Truly it lias been so with us, and the mother country has rewarded our action by sending out to-day a thousand strong of her best and bravest officers and men—the soldiers of the Queen. Sorrow and sadness may have darkened hamlet and hall, hut and station ranch, but at present the prevailing note is. one of gladness and of joy. The decorations were in keeping with the hopeful spirit of the people. Macquario, Bridge, Pitt, George, College, and Oxford streets presented a sight that tho traveller seldom sees outside of Paris or London. I have seen many auspicious and historic events in my day. I was a devout witness of the funeral of the great Duke of Wellington; I saw with wondering eyes the grand entry of Napoleon 111 into Paris after the victory of Magenta; I looked upon Edinburgh and Glasgow when the Prince and Princess of Wales were married; but in all my experience I have never beheld such a magnificent spectacle, such a gorgeous array of decoration and illumination, as I saw in Sydney to-day. When I say it was grand and that it was wonderful and that it was surpassingly beautiful I give no clear idea of the style, the colour, and the scope of the display everywhere made for the occasion. The Sydney hells were ringing, The morning sleep was done, And the lasses were a-dancing With some noble Austral son; Tho Austral bells were ringing, And (he people were a-singiiig. And the soldiers, lads, a-swinging, As Commonwealth was dawning In this new land of ours. '

The people wore holding high holiday and colonial jubilee, for the day was one of Imperial unity and expansion, and we were all in it—every mother's son of us. The gathering of the military and the civilians was an extraordinary feat, and it was carried out with complete success. The public adopted the order of procession suggested by Lord Hopetoun himself. And Lord Hopetoun ought to know, for, was he not the Lord Chamberlain of the Queen, and noted for his tastes and tact in procession? As a matter of fact, he satisfied all but the section of the clergy who declined to follow the Cardinal.

There never was such a day in Sydney. It is impossiblo to do justice t© (he proceedings in tho few hours available to catch the mail for New Zealand. By Monday the Commonwealth fever had reached a climax, yet up to noon to-day crowds upon crowds entered Sydney. Largo caravanserai liko the Hotels Metropble, Metropolis, • Grosvenor, Potty's, tho Royal, and the Coffee Falaco 1 ha'd to rofuso visitors, or hire rooms outside for them; The cab and 'bus fares were raised. Tho people patronised and hung on to the trams by the skin of (heir teeth, and i>o guard was fined for overloading. The price of food did not go up, but was cheaper than Just Now Year. Night and day one had to elbow one's way in Pitt, King, and George streets. The arcades were impassable, and the language sometimes polyglot. The shops and warehouses are full, and if the city is swamped by visitors the requirements of life are cheap and satisfactory. Lots of grumbling is heard about the favouritism of committee?,, and understrappers use much red tape. In; the street crowd* you see the dark Indian and Maori troopers mis; and rub j shoulders with the white folk, and tho smart mufti dress of the Imperial Life Guard, Highlander, or Ririoman; The, hoick, theatres, fruit and .other shops do a roaring trade. You meet old friends busy as ants—off their hoads about decoration ami illumination arrangements. The stage balconies are heavy with posters re seats to let. The Imperial and colonial troops are all critically examined by the street folk, who are loud in their praises of their firm uprightness and the fine bearing of the.men. THE PROCESSION. When the marshal and the staff officers got tho vast array of civic groups and military units in something like order the scene in the Domain was brilliant in the extreme. From a spectacular point of view the marshalling of the brunches of the army was satisfactory from every point of view. The Imperial soldiers outshone the troops from the colonies in point of costume—perhaps lo some extent in point of military bearing—but the pageant was a comprehensive one. It comprised so many typos of soldiers of all arms of the service thai no comparison of the component parts of the forces would be justifiable. Each regiment had its distinctive peculiarity, and displayed its own full-dress to the best advantage. Uniformity of step and of line was preserved with remarkable fidelity. The inarch through the streets was orderly and most effective throughout. Meii, women, and children cheered and shouted with delight and enthusiasm on beholding the least attractive features of the show. Their admiration was boundless and inexpressible when (ho pomp and magnificence of the procession were seen in fullest splendour. And the bells pealed and bands were playing, whilst the multitude applauded, creating a confused but mighty sound of jubilation such as will make the day for ever memorable. About 200 mounted policemen led.the display. The trades union representation was complete in every respect, and tho trades were represented in carriages following the industrial display as follows:—.Carriage No. 1: Messrs J. P. Cochrane (secretary to the Sydney Labour Council), E. Riloy (president, of tho Political Labour League), T. H. Thrower (president of (he Sydney Labour Council), and J. E. West (president of the Trades Hall Committee). Carriage No. 2: Messrs .1. R. Talbot (president of the Iron Trade Council), A. M'Dougall (president of the Boilermakers' Council), and E. Slater (member of the New Zealand Board of Arbitration). The Friendly Society representatives, all wearing regalia, contributed much to the beauty of tho spectacle. The Fid? Brigades' show was an admirable exhibition, comprising no less than eight steam fire engines. Next came the representatives of the press, among whom were journalists from Great Britain, India, New Zealand, nnd tho Federated States. The Italian and Canadian allegorical cars were splendidly decorated, and the designs were most graceful. Passing St. Mary's Cathedral, the processionists were given a hearty welcome by 2000 children belonging to the Roman Catholic schools. Cardinal Moran and a number of the Roman Catholic clergy were present. This gathering wae arranged for the purpose of giving tho children of the Roman Catholic schools an opportunity of contributing to the festivity by joining in singing "A Song of the Commonwealth," of- which the words were by Mr P. E. Qninn, M.L.A., nnd the music by Mr J. A, Delitny, who also acted as conductor. The Salvalio'i Army occupied a prominent position, and among those who ocoupiod carriages were the representatives of different bodies from all parts of Australia. Three of the carriages were occupied as under:—The Right Hon. R. .7. Seddon j (Premier of New Zealand) and Jhe Eight Hon,

C. C. Kingston (of South Australia), both in official dress. Hon. J. Carroll (Minister of Native Affaire, New Zealand) and his private secretary; with Mr H. N. Southwell, assistant secretary to the New South Wales Commonwealth Festivities Organising Committees ; Sir Robert Stout, of New Zealand, in official dress; and Mr Justice Edwards, New Zealand. Tho military contingents (A section) in> eluded the troops that had returned from South Africa, the Soudan contingent, and retired officers and men of the navy. Colonel Penton, of New Zealand, commanded the colonial infantry (B section) for the day. The New Zealandnrs consisted of 55 men belonging to the first New Zealand contingent, now on the way home from South Africa, jmdor Lieutenant J. S. Hughes. Surgoon-major Burns and Veterinary-lieuten-ant Neale were with him. With the contingent was the Southland Pipers' Band of 22 members, under Lieutenant Kenneth Cameron. The remainder of the procession was as follows:— " C" SECTION. • Australian Horse Band. Indian Contingent. Colonel Penton, O.C. contingent. O.C. cavalry section. Native officers of cavalry. •tiota Duffadars (troop sergeant-majors), with swords. Duffa<lnrs (sergeants), with lances. O.C. infantry section. Native officers of infantry, with swords. Havildars (sergeants), with rifles. "D" SECTION. Band N.S.W. Lancers. Imperial Representative Corps. Two mounted Orderlies. Colonol Crole 'Wynclham, C.B. ('2lst Lancers), commanding " D " section. Staff: Captain Evelyn Wood (Scottish Hides), Lieutenant and Quartermaster Collins (King's Dragoon Guards), and Regimental Sergeant-major Lntighton (21st Lancers). Eoyal Horse Artillery, with two guns. HouHiolcl Ciwelry, lat Life Guards, 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards (blue). King's Dragoon Guards. 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars. 21st (Emnress of India's) Lancers. Prince of Wales's Own Eoyal Wiltshire Yeomanry. Royal Field Artillery, with two guns. Eoyal Engineers, with waggons containing pontnon section and balloon section. Band of the Highland Light Infantry. Royal Garrison Artillery. Guards Group: Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Gunrds. Line Group: 2nd (Queen's), 3rd (Buffs), 13th Somersetshire Liplit Infantry, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Fusilier Group: sth (Northumberland) Fusiliers, 7th (Royal) Fusiliers, 23rd (Royal Welsh) Fusiliers, 87th (Royal Irish) Fusiliers. Riflrs Group: 2Gth Scottish Rifles, King's Eoyal Rifles, Royal Irish Rifles, Riflo Brigade. Pipers of the Scottish Group*. Highlanders Group: 42nd (Black Watch) Royal Highlanders, the Highland Light Infantry, Seaforlh Highlanders, Cameron Highlanders. Army Service Corps. Eoyal Army Medical Corps. Four Chaplains of tho Contingent. Army Ordnance Department. Army Pay Department. 4th (Militia- Battalion) Norfolk Regiment. Ist (Volunteer) Battalion of the Devon Ecginient. Ist Middlesex Rifle Volunteers. Ambulance. i Ambulance Waggon, "E" SECTION. Band H.M.S. Eoyal Arthur. Royal Navy. Eoyal Murines. (Lieutenant Marshall, R.N., commanding " E " section.) Mounted Orderlies. Unattached and Reserve Officers. Visiting Officers on Foot, and Visiting Officers (mounted), marshalled by Captain Chapman, 2nd Regiment. Visiting Commandments: Major-general Downes, Victoria. Colonel Gordon, South Australia. Colonel Fenn, Queensland. Colonel Legge, Tasmania. Colonol Cliippcndalo. Western Australia. A.D.C. OF G.O.C. Major Knox and Captain Danear. New South Wales Headquarters Staff: Major-general French, Colonel llackpnzie, A.A.G., Colonel Taunton and Major Owen, Entrineprs; with Captain Currie, R.N., Staff Officer: Gonnral Officer Commanding. The Naval Cnmniandcr-in-Chief. Admiral Pearson, with Captain Diclicn, R.N., Ping-Lieutenant Stewart, and Mr Ferguson, Admiral's Secretary. Governor-General's Advance Escort of Lancers. Captain B, W. Duff, extra A.D.C. to the Governor-General. Mr Gore, assistant private secretary. Mrs Corbet. His Excellency the Governor-General, with Captain Wellington (private secretary), and Major Philson. e Lancer Rear Escort. THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY. Like the Cathedral at Milan or the "White I Mosque at Omdurman, the swearing-in pavilion was recognised by its swan-white I appearance and also by the Imperial Standard from far and near in. the Centennial Park, over the low trees, rook ledges, and sea. of faces. It was octagonal in form, and with several portals opening out into the view of tho whole people on the surrounding hills, and the large area of seating accommodation ov. all sides. The press were well seated in front, saw and heard everything, and led the cheering as his Excellency and the nine Federal Ministers were separately sworn in. In the centre of the dais were the identical table?, with pen and inkstand, used by her Majesty when she signed the Commonwealth Act at Windsor Castle. Before Lord Hopetoun arrived much interest was evinced in the filling-up arrangements. Seats had been reserved for 8000 invited guests and space for the display of tho military. It would take too long to name all the invited guests present, but they comprised the rank, wealth, prosperity, and intellect of Australia and New Zealand. Trade, commerce, industry, the Parliament, Ministers, the navy and military were also well represented. The mayors of Sydney, Melbourne, and numerous other towns were present in their robes of office. The photographers had Cossack look-outs at every point of vantage, and their cameras looked like mysterious pom-poms in battery position ready for shots on the attack. Near at hand were 1000 of the best musical voices of Sydney, and far beyond upon the hills of Randwick 10,000 merry and hearty %chopl children were assembled in their might. The Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Frederick Darley, with his two A.D.C.'s, were the first to arrive under escort, and were received with loud cheers. Trams were put on to carry the guests from .tho city to the Centennial Park, as carriages wero not procurable. Tho judges in their robes wero present—some from sister colonies, knights of St. Michael and St. George flitted about the pavilion in uniforms of Privy Councillors or court dress. Nearly all the Premiers were in court dress, with their orders. Sir W. Lyne did the honours of the day gracefully and in a smiling manner. Many of the New South Wales notables had left the procession by a short cut ;md reached the pavilion before Lord Hopetoun. Amongst them were the new Premier of all the colonies and his Ministers to bo sworn. Their ladies were accommodated at the side of the pavilion. Archbishop Saumercz Smith, with his chaplain, was early at his post in clerical robes.*" Mr Blackmore, clerk of the Soutli Australian Parliament, was present to read the long Queen's commission and other incidents in connection with the swearing-in; and at noon 150,000 people must have formed that great swearing-in gathering. THE STATE BANQUET. In the Town Hall on Tuesday night the State banquot was held. Lord Hopetoun could not bo present, and the LieutenantGovernor (Sir F. M. Darley) presided. Mr Suttor, M.L.0., in proposing the toast of "Tho Visitors," welcomed the visit of Yfr Richard Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, and said that if the colony desired to come into tho Federation Australia would welcome her with open liande. New Zealand's attitude all depended upon one man, and that man was Mr Richard Seddon.—(Cheers.) He was a typical man of the English bulldog breed—(applause),—and he brought with him the Maori Minister of New Zealand. Natal had sont its Minister, and so also had tho Cape of Good Hope and Ceylon. Considering the urgent nature of the business in South Africa, this was a great compliment. Aβ Australia had become one and inseparable from that day, so they hoped that South Africa would speedily become united and be a great English-speaking continent. The Right Hon. Richard Seddon, Premier of Now Zealand- in responding, referred to the c:: ■Mnony that had taken place that day, and snid ho was surp-'-»d at the good beha, i.mr and order of wie people. He was prrsent at the pageant connected with the Q icon's Diamond Jubilee in London, and he

noticed there was-a.frood deal of want and misery there; but, so far as he could see that day, that was . entirely absent. He was pleased that the Governor-General had been able to be present on the occasion, and he was sure that all would hope that lie would speedily be restored to good health. Speaking of Federation he had no doubt that Neff Zealand was, in the language of ft well-known fable, the ugly duckling of the group. Although his colony had not seen its Way jot to become united, still it was Australia's friend, and in this great movement of Federation New Zealand wished Australia every success.—(Cheers.) New Zealand, speaking to United Australia-, said, " God protect you and God prosper you." Anything New Zealand could do to help Australia would be done. There were difficulties in the way of New Zealand joining the Federation at present. No constitution which they as Australians could frame would meet those difficulties ; but in the pageant which he had witnessed that day he had learned this lesson : that the people of Australia were nearer to the people of New Zealand than the people of New Zealand had ever known.—-(Cheers.) He could tell the people of New Zealand that he believed that the people of Australia were with them heart and ponl, and he thought he could assure the people of Australia that the New Zealandcrs were witli them heart and soul.—(Cheers.) Had not the sons of the different colonies fought and bled on the battlefields of South Africa, as though they belonged to one nation and one people?—(Applause.) When they clasped their hands out there it was with the fce'ing of brother to brother, that they were fighting in a good cause, and for one Queen. And if ever the time came that Federated Australia required help the New Zealanders would fight for her and shed their blood for her as they had shed it for the old country in South Africa, — (Chccr3.) And they also knew that if ever the emergency aroae Australia, would be willing to fight on behalf of New Zealand.—(Applause.) He spoke with reference to the presence tliat night of a representative of the Native race o( New Zealand, and referred to the race ris bring ai pood, hospitable, and noble people, and he concluded his speech by stating that the people of United Australasia were destined to become one Empire with one destiny.—(Loud cheere.)

A GLORIOUS PAGEANT OP ARMS. THE EMPIRE'S TROOPS. We make the following extracts from a graphic description of' the proccßsion and pageant by the special correspondent of the Melbourne Argus:— ' With a stately ceremony,' which was disturbed by no single hitch, the magnificent pageant, wisely ordered eo as to mark indelibly upon the public, mind the consummation of Australian union, grew into being; gradually, smoothly, quietly, and resistlessjy in the Domain this morning. It was indeed a strangely suggestive Ecene. Statesmen from the four corners of Australia drove past in their carriages to take the places which were allotted to them under the very shadow of the drawn swords of troops from the four .corners of t'" . Empire. Here, in a Sydney park, pi" "-u in the shade of Australian frees, were soldiers from many lands, who had r.".l come to do honour to the young nation which stepped that day so proudly and so confidently into the full responsibilities of nationhood. The Indian Duffadars, resplendent in dark green and scarlet, stood under the trees holding their horses and. impassively surveying the scene as they waited for the order to mount. Instead of the moist, rich smell of the Himalayas, which, when once it has got into » man's blood, remains with him always, as the teller of Indian tales puts it, the Duffadar3 had the pungent scent of the young gum leaves in their nostrils. Further away, in a hollow on the rieht. the Household Cavalry, tho Foot Guarde, and the Fusiliers were breathing the same new scent instead of the fragrance of the English thorn and thyme. The Maori Guards of the Premier of New ZealaVl cantered past the gorgeous Indian troops, showing the easy colonial seat in the saddle and the simple khaki uniform which has proved that for them, nt least, the race barrier is down for ever. War-worn Australian veterans from tho South African campaign waited beside those Scottish regiments which have taken such a firm root in the Southern Hemisphere. All stood at ease, but all were ready, and when the order was given the groups that were resting under the trees fell into their places with astonishing smoothness and'rapidity, and the heterogeneous detachments of troops from man)' dimes were welded at once into a miniature army, ready to escort the representative of the Queen to the spot where he was to tnke upon himself the solemn rsponsibilities of acting for the Sovereign. The public were excluded from the Domain while tho procession was being marshalled ; but by some accident a young child had escapoc! tho notice of the vigilant police, and sat under a shady tree nearly in front of the National Gallery, clapping her small handswith delight at the sight of the soldiers. She was liatlcss, shoeless and- stonkinglcss. Slis wae a pretty child, with a frank, open brow, and fair curls flowing over her temples. As shs laughed and wavfd her hands towards the troops and called to the Eokliera as they went past she seemed like the embodiment, of young Australia welcoming the armies of the Empire. PASSING THE QUEEN'S STATUE. Tho bells of St. Mary's Cathedral were ringing gaily as the head of the immense column, nearly, three miles in length, moved out of the main entrance gates of the Domain, and swung round to. the right, s>o as to pflss through the Queen's sijuare. It was at this point that the onlooker became conscious for tho first time of the enormous mimliere of people who had taken up positions from which to see the procession. Wherever the eye could reach the field of vision was closed by a solid bank of people. They were packed tiaht.ly into ipmnorary grand stands; they filled every inch of sp<tee that was left for them by the soldiers and police who lined the loute, and thev gathered thickly in every window and balcony t'mt commanded a view of the iiniquo spectacle. The fine statno of the Queen which is erected in the middle of the square portrajs her Majesty in an imperial and compamlin:; pnse. Her brow is crowned with a .wreath of laurel, and she holds u sceptre in her hand. Mow the pedestal on which the statue stands, and past the tall white pillars bearing the arms and scrolls of all nations, marched the troops in on unbroken line, chief among them being the Household Cavalry, her Majesty's own bodyguard, in full \iniformi with lielmots, plumes, and gleaming breastplate?; the Dragoons and Lancers, the Horse and Field Artillery, with the drivers sitting bolt upright in the English military ridinir school style; the Foot Guards, Rifle's, and Hussars, Sappers, Highlanders, and Fusiliers. All swung past the statue of the Queen, along with the Australian and New Zealand regiments, who have earned their comradeship by deeds of generous bravery on fields where the blood they had shed together is hardly yet dry. The Imperial troops were no strangers to Australians, and, having come so far to honour us, they worn fairly entitled to the spontaneous bursts of cheering that greeted their appearance. THROUGH THE CITY. Interspersed with military bands to lighten the way for the marching infantrymen by a lively quickstep when fatigue began lo show itself, the procession swept into Macquarie street, and opened up a long vi?ta of Venetian masts and decorated woodwork, bright with Hags and greenery. In this residential part of (he. town thn balconies of the houses famed heavy loads of spectators, while both the Sydney Hospital and the Houses ' of Parliament formed rallying places for vast numbers. There was but little delay on tho march, and as soon as the fiovemor-Gfinernl had taken his place the long lines of gleaming steel and brilliant uniforms moved forward on the appointed route, with no stoppages pave such as were created by a horse falling hero and there up in tho front. The great column passed on down Pitt street, gay with bunting, along the splendid avenue of flags in Martin place, facing the General Post Office, and so into George street, where the huzzas of the crowd echoed from pinnacle nnd parapet, and where the windows of the shopkeepers were dressed with laughing girls, who, secure behind their plate-glass barriers, waved their handkerchiefs to the passing troops. The Indian troops, both cavalry and infantry, took but little notice of the decorations, for to a true Oriental to express surprise is merely vulgar impoliteness. The hieh-casto Rajput haughtiness of the troopers relaxed not a whit for flags or flowers, cheers or waving handkerchiefs, and even the usually merry little Ghoorkhas wore a preternaturnlly solemn expression, as though they realised the immense significance of the great ceremony at which they had come so far to assist. They probably could not rend the names inscribed in gold upon the walls, but it was right that the names should be there all the same, not only for them, but for the drivers of the khaki-coloured guno and the pontoon and balloon sections, and the Grenadier Guards, with their enormous bearskins, and the Highland Light Infantry, with tartan trousers, and especially for the Australians, who marched along with a light heart to the place where their country was that day to.be made a nation. The Australians stood the heat better than their British comrades, but they could not be more game in enduring the distress. The Fusilier detachments were preceded by a email bugler, who. marched" along at the head of his company in all the, pride of his 14 years, and with, a high determination, to behave

as a soldier should at all ooste. A thoughtful attendant had provided a bucket of water and a tin pannikin at the foot of the Commonwealth aroli, and his kindly offer of a clip of cold water Was seldom refused *t«9 sweating Tommies; but the snlall bllgler of one of the Fusiliers would have none ot it. His lips were parched aftd cracked, and his little legs must surely have been very weary, but he waved away .the proffered cup with a gay smile, and called out, " It s against orders,",in hie boyish treble as lie i marched away, keeping, time to the musio of the band with his head held high for the honour of his company. It is the spirit that has made the Empire, LORD HOPETOUN'S PROGRESS. : His Excellency the Governor-General's triumphal progress was marlted by a warm outpouring of cordiality, and even affection, on the part of the populace. Seated in his Stale carriage, where he was attended by Captain Wellington, he kept his head uncovered during almost the whole of the journey. An escort of Lancer? rode in advance of the State carriage, with their lances at the carry, and ii detachment of the same mounted arm rode as a rear escort. Immediately in front of the carriage, and Hiperbly mounted, rede two outriders, the personal retainers of his Excellency. A magnificent team of four blood horses drew the State carriage, the near side horse being ridden by postilions. His Excellency looked very pale, but he exhibited great animation as he gazed upon the stirring scene around him. Lord Hopetonn has a wonderful memory for faces, and whenever his gaze encountered a Melbourne face that he had known five years ago. during his residence in Victoria, he would acknowledge the meeting promptly with a bright smile of recognition. T'he head of the proceseion reached •Centennial Park before the rearguard had passed through Paddington. AH the men in this ever-increasing rearguard had their bayonets fixed, and as they came up Park street with the sunlight (flittering on the. bayonets one would have thought that a shinintr river of steel was pouring onward up the channel of the roadway.

AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. A Roman triumph of olden time must have been an inspiring spectacle when the' Roman populace gathered in their thousands to applaud a Pompey or an Antony returning, after a victorious campaign, with the captives and the spoils of war.' Still, not even a triumphal car drawn by elephants or lions, not even a. concourse of captive generals, loaded with chains, and marching behind the gold and ivory car of the conqueror, could wrap' one of those half-forprotten tributes to the "power of a military leader with a tithe of tlie significance that attached to the ever-memorable nageant which attended the progress of the first Gorernor-General of Australia. Gathered upon sloping hills, which were reclaimed not so long ago from the barren, land by the wise forethought of a great Australian statesman, were tens of thousands of Australian people, who had come to look upon the foundation of their State. The gleatn of the blue Pacifio shone like a Damascus blade before their distance-ranging eyes; they could almost catch the song of ocean if they strained their w> to listen, for they could se plainly enough the spot where more than 120 years ago the great circumnavigator first set the foot of a Briton upon the continent of the south. Below them in the hollow were mustered the long-lines of scarlet and blue, or latter-day -khaki, that symbolised with such-tremendous suggestiveness the strength of the Empire of which thoy were about to become a newer and a mightier part than ever before; They could see /the Australian Sun playing on British cuirasses; on tlie bayonets of the Maoris, and on (he curved and deadly blades of the Indian troopers, all of whom were ranged alongside of theiij Australian comrades in arms round a little white pavilion in the centre of tV hollow. There the spectators might see when they drew near enough the figure of the tried and trusted nobleman whose task it is to order the beginnings of the new Commonwealth; and there, too}' they might hear the prayers sent up to the greatest Ruler of all to guide aright the judgment of the head of all the States of Federated Australia. Then surely and hopefully mißht they cay with one of their own poets, who long since foresaw this glorious day': —

From hence the morning beauty of her name Will shine afar like an exceeding flame; _ And, graced with glory, girt with power august, Her life will last till all things tutn to dust. . THE ASSEMBLAGE AT THE PAVILION. Many of the distinguished visitors assembled very early. They decided they could not witness both the procession and the swearing-in ceremony, and so they took their seats and patiently waited. Pleasing in every'way was the large space, upon a slope near the pavilion, upon which were assembled 19,000 school children. The girls, who seemed to.be the more numerous, wore white, and the boys more sombre garments. Charming spectacle as they were in themselves, they were also full of interest and life as representing the future of the Commonwealth. Sixty years hence one can imagine many of them telling their grandchildren of the day when, in their pleasant childish piping of sweet tunes, they sang the Commonwealth in. Nearer than these were memhers of the political and official world of Australia, with their wives and daughters. Sir William Lyne wore morning dress, but carried the ribbon and star of his order on his breast. Sir Frederick Darley, LientenantGovernor of New South Walee, in court dre.s, was another of the early arrivals, and soon the pavilion held its distinguished company, Rwaiting the arrival of Lord Hopeloun. None of the State Oovornors were present, but Sir Samuel Griffith and Sir Samuel Way represented the Deputy-Governors. The former wore a court dress and the latter the Windsor uniform of black velvet. The only Premier absent was. Mr Holder. There was the sturdy Mr Seddon, resplendent in court dress, and with him,' severely plain in apparel, Mr Carroll, bearing a deep infllsioil of Maori blood in his veins. Tliesp represented the distant and coy New Zealand. Sir John Forrest, also great in stature, wore full uniform, as did Mr Kingston, another of the sons of Anak, though not a Premier. Sir George Turner modestly wore morning drees, and did not, so far as could be spen, even dispJay his star. Late to arrive was Mr Barton, the man of the hour, serene as ever, and distinguished by "lio mark of honour save that which a people's approbation bestows. There was the Primate in his brillinnt robes, a fine and a conspicuous figure. Mr Deakin, Sir J. R. DieJfSon, Mr Lewis (Tasmania), and Mr R. E. O'Connor were also there. There was also a select number of ladies, the wives,of some of the distinguished men who were to take part in the ceremony. All chatted together pleasantly, and occasionally one or other came to the steps and surveyed the gathering crowd. THB ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNORGENERAL. The booming of a field gun announced that Lord Hopetoun had entered the parb. This was the prelude to a salute of 19 guns. Then tho dignitaries, political and religions and civil, ranged themselves on cither-side of a covered way lined with troops leading to the pavilion, leaving, by prearrangement, Mr Barton alone in the pavilion to receive the Queen's representative. Eicoctly at 1 Lord Hopetoun, in a brilliant uniform, showing all his stars and orders, entered the pavilion, and shook hands with Mr Barton, as the bands played tho National Anthom and oil the people stood uncovered. Then the Primate stood forward and raised his hand, and a choir of 400 voioas from the Archbishop's choirs commenced' the grand old hymn " 0 God, our help in ages past." The attitude of the people was devotional. Then the Primate offered up a prayer for the Commonwealth composed by Lord Tennyson. Governor of South Australia, the concluding words of ivliidi wore jittered by the Archbishop with great fervency. This was followed by a brief prayer for the Governor-General,' and the utterance of the Lord's Prayer, in which Lord Hopetoun and many others joined. Then the Arohbishop's ehoir sang the famil'ir and noble strain of the "Te Dcum" —"We praise Thee. 0 God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord." Again the voice, diminished by distance, seemed small and ineffective, and again the emotion was supplied by the feelings of the hearer, who, catching the familiar echoes, was inv pressed by Ihe greatness of an nesemblnd ncople thus, in the hour of its jubilation, calling reverently upon God. LORD HOPETOUN TAKES THE OATH. In the centre of the pavilion was a table, beforfe which Lord Hopetoun stood. This was tho table upon which with her own hand the Oiißen gave her assent to the Commonwealth Bill. Mr E. (i. Blackmore, of South Australia, who was selected because he is renuted to have the most sonorous voice in official Austrclia, now stepped forward, made a profound bow to the Governor-General,

show* in bis appearance, took G e nor-Generai- of the C J? voice, lord HopetOtin rt«l •* folloWs!- ; . "I, John Adrian Eouisjaape, do ■-,-. swear tliftt I will M* ;: tar true allegiancfe to I*W . ... ,;■■ the Queen Victoria, heT heirs <Md successors, Recording to law., ■ -no.help me God." .'._:'..'. " Thin oath he signed atthe table. : after another interval, durittg Which tore ~. were cheers, the Governor-General received S; another, document from Sir Frederick Darley, .- and read it as follows:— • "I, John Adrian Louie Hope. , ao swear that I will well and Wily • serve her Majesty Queen Victoria , ~--; in the office bf.Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia*. So help hie God." I /;■ At 25 minutes past 1 o'clock- tlie ceremon> of swearing-in the was ended, arid amidst loiifl cheers a salute « 21 guns Was fired. , ■■'~'" The swearing-in of the ifihisters, the reading of the Queen's messa.ee, followed, by the , reading of another from Mr Chamberlain, as already described in our cables. , The .children sans well, and the noble "Hallelujah Chorus," which followed, by a thousand voices, was a fitting close to a great ceremony. The occasion was not marked by any great ; outburst of acclaniiitioh, which would hatfe been out of place durinsr its progress. It was the completion in public of a. great, work* and.the people looked oh With an interest deepening almost into awe and reye'rehtie. ; The great charter being signed and its chief; i exmiiive officera beintf swdrn iri ( the- Aiie-, y trolisin Commonwealth hart actually cbhi.e into. heing. amighty. indissolußle uhiohi and deefr:. \ down in many hearts was a feeling ton. deep . for cheers. The bands arid the cbaiti'act-.-■'■;, claimed the event, and as the People dispersed ■ .-','; the »rp.it song of the Empire, " God-save ot'e • ." •• Queen," pealed hoblr out and echoed ; the broad Eimces where, in the presence of T. fhe neople. thi> brotherhood of a continent , • ] had been sealed. . . • . , .\''