THE OPENING CEREMONY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1586, 15 April 1882, Page 10

THE OPENING CEREMONY.

ENTIRE SUCCESS OF THE PROCEEDINGS.

The spirits of the numerous vibitors and residents in Christchurch, who were eagerly looking forward to the opening ceremony of the Exhibition, sank considerably as Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday brought nothing but heavy and continuous rains, and even a postponement began to be discussed. Fortunately, however, on Sunday afternoon symptoms of a break became apparent, and the public hopes were partially realised by a ducided improvement in the aspect of affairs this morning. This promise luckily held good, and by the time the procession was iii order there seemed little likelihood of any untoward interruption from the weather. The programme arranged was a most ambitious one, and the work of organisation has been going on for some time past. The iirst feature was a procession of trades and friendly societies, on a scale that has but rarely been attempted, and to add to the general effect Volunteer corps from many of tho neighbouring districts arrived in town on Friday and Saturday, and have for the most part been remaining under canvas since. Under these circumstances there was likely to be no lack of band music, and in fact no fewer than eight bands eventually turned out to accompany the procession. These were the Austrian band (of course heading the train), thr Hibernian, Ashbmton Jiifioi, Ly ltd ton, r.innhmn, >St. An- \ clrew's, listen! 1 , and T.imaru Artillory. *

The Lyttelton band arrived in Christchurch by the S a.m. train, and played the Lyttelton contingent of the procession to Oranmer Square, where the men joined their several societies. It was also arranged that the Volunteers from Christchurch, Lyttelton, Timaru, Oamaru, Ashburton, and Temuka, should take % prominent part in the day's proceedings. THE STREETS.

From early morning it was palpable to the veriest dunce, as Colonel Calverley would put it, that some unusual excitement of a verystirring nature was at work among the steadygoing citizens of Christchurch. Everybody was, in the first place, up and about town at tho usual breakfast hour, and small groups were collecting at the principal corners, which in an incredibly short space of time swelled to the size of respectable crowds. Costumes strange (and gaudy, too) began to be observable here and there ; and the presence of armed men in the uniforms of various corps, who were either galloping or marching very hurriedly to no jplace in particular and immediately returning^ become suggestive either of a siege or a review. Later on, however, the aim of thegeneral mrister was rendered clear by the advent from norjh, south, east, and west of the various sooieties, for the most part having their banners proudly in their midst. Then set in a mania for brass music, and on every side arose martial strains, sometimes distant, sometimes, alas ! very near indeed ; and the city of Christchurch became a Babel : not but what some of the 1 bands— those of the Volunteers especially— discoursed most eloquently, but there was a, trifle too much of it within hearing at once— a defect which was soon remediea, however. .The numerous bodies that appeared in succession in the neighbourhood of Cathedral square vanished ahnost as fast as they came, and, strange to say, vanished by different streets in apparently different directions. The cause of thfe, however, lay in the fact that the procession, of which they were to form a part, was of a fength hitherto unknown in the history of Nejw Zealand processions, covering a distance variously estimated at from one two miles. Aa] the hour of 9 drew near, the crowds of I people who had .been drifting aimlessly about, and the fragments of military or other bofies,, began to settle themselves in compact linps along both sides of the principal thoroughfares. The route which had been marked out finished of course at the Exhibition Building, and it was at this point that the mass of spectators concentrated. , All the avenues of • approach were thickly lined, insomuch that the - efforts of a large body of mounted- police were not always effectual in keeping the coast clear,, ann even' the trees of Hagley Park, were utilised as vantage points for sight-seeing. The or^er preserved, however, throughout the morning among so large ( a number of people w^s upon the whole admirable. J THE PROCESSION. ' ' The demonstrative procession that had been arranged to, mark the formal opening of the Exhibition was, as we have said, organised ! upon a gigantic scale. The number of persons ' wh*o actually took part in it was between, 4000 and 5000; and tho marshallingof the whole boSy'was entrusted 'to' 1 Mr Leahy. This gentleman discharged his difficult duty in a LinJst able, manner, and "the 'arrangements . , .throughout were almost faultless. _ The following was the order' of march :— Austrian Band. , £ lasterera (50), with working group. Bricklayers (60), with banner. Hibprnian Band. . , • ■ Druids (100), in regalia. ' Tailors (60J, with banner. fon's of Temperance (30), in Regalia. Lyttleltonißahd.' I ' ■ - ' pdd-Fellows (600), in regalia, with banners. . ' Oianseraen (450), in regalia, and with banners. . . Protestant Alliance (50), in^ regalia. • , Labourers' Union (40), with banner. Stonumasons (60), with banner, and lorry with masons at work. ' • Carriers (20), with lorry loaded with goods, and also with two vans similarly loaded. Saddlers (60), with banner. Ironworkers (300), with six banners, and ■ lorry carrying working group. Good Templars (40), in regalia. Freemasons, E.C. (30). Four mounted Foresters. Foresters' Band. Fo- esters (450), in regalia, with two banners and oisrht bannereta. Good Templars (200), in regalia. Railway Fire Brigade (20), with steam - engine, Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, C. V. F. B. steamengine " Extinguisher," hand - engine " Dread* nought," and steam -engine "Deluge." Total of Christchurch Brigade, 40. , . . . Brickraakera' Union (71), with two lorries bearing working group. Timaru Band. Timaru Ba lastmen (40). „,_„.. Lcatherworkers (20), headed by Sfc. Crispin on horseback. Navvies (50). Milkmen (30), with banner. A great many of the conveyances made use of by the Trades' Societies and others on the occasion were most elaborately got up, and the Fire Brigade display produced a particularly good effect. The plasterers introduced upon the scene a number of workmen busily engaged in the manufacture of casts, &c, which were distributed among the crowd, and the iron-workers were also actively engaged in a huge trolly. The usual number of tasteful uniforms was observable, the Foresters particularly, being headed by four mounted members clad in the most correct Sherwood forest garb. The grocers and the butchers' society also turned out a smart well-mounted corps. The long procession wound its way through all the principal streets of the city, being received in many cases with cheers, and by about 10 o'clock reached the doort of the Exhibition, which it entered in a long file. The banners were taken in also, and grouped for the most part around the dais which was to form the starting ground of the Vice-regal party. The members of the procession meanwhile dispersed right and left down the avenues on either side, from which they were allowed to view the proceedings.

AT THE EXHIBITION.

The formation of the Volunteer corps and the marshalling of the spectators commenced very early outside tho building. Shortly after 9 o'clock two detachments of the E battery of Artillery, under Lieutenant Hill, took up their position with two 241b howitzers in the Park, on the south-east of the building, and were folr lowed by the Oamaru battery of Artillery (40), under Captain Creagh and Lieutenant Rice ; the Ashburton Rifles (35), under Lieutenant Findlay, of Temuka, in tho absence of any Ashburton officers ; the Temuka Rides (40) under Captain Young and Sub-lieutenant White ; and the Lyttelton Naval Brigade (50) under Lieutenant M'Lean. Outside the building,'to the left of the main entrance, a guard of honour of the blue jackets and marines of H.M.iS. Miranda, supported on their left by the Oanianr Rifles and Christchurch City Guards, were posted. The promoters, Messrs Joubert and Twopeny, with his Worship the Mayor (who wore his chain of office) and the members of the City Council, awaited the arrival of his Excellency at the main entrance. As tho hour of 11 drew near the excitement among the spectators increased and the crowd was augmented almost momentarily. The arrangements made for keeping ihvj tho approaches clear were complote eivudi »'\ i.iwid.-s ft larco defn^nneni of iro ,I,'ni pr>l''"\ Uu- Conteilmry Yeomanry Corps," or a portion of them, were told off

lor "tho' same duty, arid' found, without question, plenty of work to do. The practical habits of Sir" Arthur Gordon were not laid aside on this occasion, as 11 had scarcely struck when the strains of the Rational Anthem at the north-west end of the park notified that the Governor's carriage was passing in. Almost immediately afterwards the cavalcade appeared in sight, a strong detachment of, Canterbury yeomanry Cavalry escorting the carriage, which was approaching at a swinging pace. The guard, of honour posted at the main entrance , presented arms,i an d, the Artillery commenced their salute. At the same moment the various bands scattered around struck up. Sonic little delay occurred at tlie entrance, owing to* tjio efforts to. keep back the crowd being , not _ entirely successful, and it appeared at one time that his* Excellency would be in danger of , f being mobbed when he alighted. A few energetic curvettes, however; on the part of the Yeomanry, soon restored order, and Messrs Joubert and Twopeny, the Mayor, and the Hon; T. Dick (who represented tho Ministry in the absence of the Premier) stepped forward and received the party, who thereupon promenaded upon the long aisle between the double rows of troops drawn up. His Excellency was in plain dress, wearing the ribbon and star ol the order of St. Michael and St. George. ! WITHIN THE EXHIBITION BUILDINGS. the gathering' together of the multitude had commenced almost as early as outside, and by a quarter-past 10 the concert hall; in which it had been arranged to hold the ceremony, was densely packed. In this part of the building, all seats were reserved, the price for admission being ss, and those who were unable to secure room here contented themselves with places m the art gallery, beyond which was equally thronged. In the concert hall the octagonal dais had been furnished with a couch and A chairs for the Vice-regal party, and accomodation for members of the Press, .On either side of the dais and in front wore enclosed spaces reserved for the occupation of their Honors the Chief Justice and Mr Justice Johnston, members of Parliament, the Most Rev. the Primate, their Worships the Mayors of Ohristchurch and boroughs, members of the City and County Councils, &c. At the east end of the hall a gallery had been erected, in which, before 10 o'clock, most of the ladies and gentlemen (some 200 in number) who were to take part m the opening cantata had taken their places. The Austrian Band were also stationed here. Prom the entrance hall, right through the art gallery and concert hall to the dais, the different Volunteer corps were Btationed in double-line facing inwards, so as to form an avenue some six feet broad. Up this the several contingents that had formed the procession marched with their banners and divided themselves into three bodies, passing down the Australian and New Zealand avenues on either side of the dais. By the time this arrangement had been completed the number of persons present could not have been less than 7000. " It was seven minutes past 11 when a glimpse of scarlet uniforms and flashing swords was caught through the open doors of the concert hall and art gallery, and apprised the dense crowd within that Sir Arthur Gordon and his cavalry escort .had arrived. The intelligence was conveyed l with extraordinary rapidity to the concourse 1 of people who thronged, the adjacent avenues and were out of the direct , line of sight, and an immediate glamour and a' ' rush to get. nearer the dais was the result^ The next moment ,the first gun of the salute . was fired' outside 'and the crowd burst, into • enthusiastic cheers. Guns continued// to <be 1 fired at intervals until a salute of 17 Had been "given, biit 1 '16ng'|' before' this j.th'e, vice-regal ■ cortege had reached, its' destination. , '" , ? From the concert. hall ,Messrs, Joubert ,and Twopeny were. seen walking slowly side by side up the long avenue' formed -by the various ' volunteer ' detachments, ' who '" all presented arms, as' the party approached. The post of , honour beneath the dais .bad ,been assigned 'tb . the High School Cadet Corps, who formed two deep on either side.' Some' half-dozen, yards in the rear of, the 'promoters 'walked his Excellency, accompanied by 'Lady Gordon and family and Buite. As they entered the hall , the National Anthem, was sftiick 'up by ,the , Austrian Band in the gallery, and the whole of those rose to their feet.".iOnr ascend- ' ing the dais the partyremained standing fo^ some'min'utesj during which' Sir 'Arthur bowed in acknowledgment of the vociferous cheering round him. When tHe Austrian Band had'con- , eluded the anthem, various isinaller ' ones claimed a hearing, and 'the well-known strains echoed along the avenues on either side,fo,r . rather'an unconscionable time.' Even when the music was' hushed!, the .uproar around the dais was so great that it was found to be iinpos- . sible <to hear any address read. It js ja. matter for 1 great regret that this drawback in the proceedings should have occurred, but the number of the offenders was. so" large that it is 1 difficult to see what could haye I 'been done to obtain order. The Maori contingent, who were crowded together some little distance dbwn'the Australian avenue, had a hand in the'disturbance ; and in the admission of thousands of representatives 6f all trades and callings ther e ; must of course have been some black sheep in- ; - eluded. , The. officers, of H.M-S. Miranda, wlio • had -been invited on the occasion, meanwhile joined the party on the dais, and after, being ' presented to his Excellency, it was decided to commence the proceedings, as there ■ seemed little ' probability ,of , tlie turmoil being 'entirely subdued. 1 Mr Joubert accordingly rose, and in a voice which was entirely inaudible, read the follow- ' ing address :—, ' • , ' '■ ' The master, jdea 'of, that illustrious Prince, whose " every thqught was for the higher education and adi vancoment.of his adopted 'country, [has borne such abundant fruit amongst all the most civilised nations, • and especially in Great Britain itself, that it is now almost unnecessary to defend the principles of an International Exhibition, or to point out the manifold advantages which Buch an undertaking offers, both to the exhibitors who take part in it, and to the country in which it is held. In theße industrial congresses each country and each ' manufacturer l«arn to gauge their achievements and capacities and <? Jfrin a criterion of the merits' of their productions. sSm channels of industry and commerce are opened up, and those already existing are widened and deepened. To a young settlement there are special advantages in the bringing of its traders into more direct communication with the producers of other countries; the calling of the attention of foreign capitalists, trades, and working men to its products, resources, caj abilities, and the opportunity afforded to thd colonists in general and more i aiticularly to the manufacturing and artizan classes of obiorving the progress of cMliPation, ivj shown in improved manufactures and nuw inventions. Although this Exhibition should bp an aid to tho revenue by causing additional railway tr^Hic and an increased consumption of duliablo goods, wo venture to claim that itq ultimate advantages to tho Colony and people of fc Zealand will licar comparison with tho^o which Victoria and New South Wales have purchased at a cost of over a quarter of a million apiece ; and that, independent of the tomporarystiinulus which tho pressure of so many visitois must «ive to the trade of Chriqtchutch, this Exhibition will be followed by an eia of prosperity similar to that which h nuw so conspicuous not only as Sydney and Mclb mrne, where ihe I'Xhiliiuond weru ciir.ed out by the Government., but m ire iKU'ticulaily in Ado-Kudu .iml Western Aus trali.v, where wo iuiti-ited exhibitions on the co ojiocativu ajbtem. The buildings in which you now staid I cover an area of four and a-quarter acres, the main | structure being 078 ft long by 2S2ft broad ; and we I would uall your Excellency's attention to the f.iet that, proportionately to the population of the city in which j

it Js held, this Exhibition is by far the largest 1 on (record. In spite of tho short time allowed for preparations, France, Germany, Aubtria,' Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, America, China, Japan, India, and the JAustralian Colonioa have all contributed representative specimens of such products pb the}' are able to i exchange with those of New Zealand, while the representation of Great Britain (occupying mo\o than one■third of the main building and three fourths of the machinery annexes) must be gratifying- to o\ery i Colonist, as a proof of tho estimation in which New [Zealand is held in the Mother Country. Nor will the least interesting portion of this world-display be the [Now Zealand Court, occupying nearly one-half of the [main building, and exceeding in every respect any [collection of tho industries of a British colony that [have,- ever been gathered together. The art and machinery departments of the Exhibition will, we trust,' prqve of special value. To your Excellency and j the ' Government bur thanks arc due for much kindly : assistance, and. together with the Domain Board, for j tho loan of this beautiful site, our appreciation of which we have striven to show by erecting buildings more substantial and ornamental than were strictly necessary for our 'purpose.. To the Exhibition Committee is largely owing the splendid representation pf New Zealand indu»tries ; and wo .aro.glocl to have this opportunity of expressing our gratitude" for the cordial support we have received from the Mayor and City Council of Christchurch, and. the ready aid that has been afforded us by all 1 tho Colonists with whom we lwvo come in contact, aijd 'more especially by tho Press and the people ol'Canterbury. \Va would also beg > our Excellency to convey, to Commodore E shine our thanks- for the presence of 'the captain, officer*, and crew of H.M S. Miranda op this occasion, and hopes that he will be able to carry out his kindly-expressed wish to be present in Lyttelton waters before the close of the Exhibition. ' the deep interest which the Queen has alwa\ s taken in similar undertakings elsewhere has induced us to follow the custom at all previous Exhibitions held in her dominions, and to ask you to be so kind as to forward to her' Majesty this gold medal, stiuck to-day within this building, as a token of the heartfelt loyalty of New Zealand, and of the love which we q,]l bear to our most gracious Sovereign.

At the conclusion of this, Mr R. B. N. Twopeny tendered his Excellency the medal to be forwarded to „ her Majesty. 1 This has been specially struck for the purpose by Mr Hamilton, medallist to the Exhibition, and is of 22caret gold, weighing one and a-quarter ounces. The design is exceedingly appropriate and artistic. On the obverse is represented the figure of Zealandia standing in the midst of a cultivated plain, and boaring in her outstretched right hand wreaths of laurel. Her loft hand rests upon' an altar loaded with fruit and gram and having the scales of Justice carved on its sido. Around tho obverse are the words "New Zealand International Exhibition, 1882." On the reverse is a blank space surrounded with a floral wreath, intended to receive the name of the person to whom tho medal is awarded.

This presentation having been made, some degree of order was obtained, and his Excellency, in reply, said : —

Gentlemen,— The benefits, both material and educational, conferred by exhibitions of such a character as this which you have organised, have been long; and very generally recognised —far too generally for it to, bo necessary that I should now dwell on them. I know no reason why the Exhibition held here should prove less useful than those which have preceded it in other Colonies, and I confidently anticipate that advantage will be derived from it, not only by those more immediately concerned in the undertaking but by the Colony at large. New Zealand it is true requires no adventitious aid to secure attention from without. The attractions of her climate, the fertility of her soil, her mineral wealth, the vast field she to agricultural and pastoral .enterprise, are all i well known. Nevertheless I have no doubt that many of the strangers who- may repair here to visit the •Exhibition will be unprepared to find New Zealand what she is, and will see with surprise the display in this building of her productions which you have just told us exceed in every respect any collection of the „ industries of a , British Colony that .have been gathered together. On, the other' lmi.d ' Many a' man who has ' passed "his whole life in Nevy r Zealand will be gratified and instructed by the, sight of objects from distant lantls, whether natural product? or articles of manufacture, on which his eyes mighj otherwise Bare never'res'ed,,'and may learn from whit he sees here to' appreciate more justly, other countries'and races, and to take a'broader view of 1 life, in*-dusti-y', and progress under ' other conditions "than those with which he is himself familiar! ' When the first international Exhibition was opened 'in 1851 the founders of the ' Provincts of <'anterbury had just arrived in thejr new home.', ' Had they been told,, that 30 years afterwards 'an , exhibition similar , to,, that which drew crowds' .from .all _ parts of the world th Hyde Park' would be held on .these then bare, ana desolate plains, arid thai; space' in it for their ware* would' be 'eagerly demanded tiy exhibitors "from an part's 'of 'Kurope, the 'United 'States, from India ana Japan (an empire at that time jealously sealed against the intrusion of a, suagle-fpreig^ier, or the egress oi one of its own p'eople)v tn«iy would have laughed to scorn what woi*ld have , seemed to ,them but an enthusiast'c vision! Yet this has come" to pass, anjl that' it' has come to pass, and that this place should have been selected by you as that most suitable in which to hold ihe first International Exhibition which has taken place ( in' Ne'w Zealand, 'is a proof of the wisp forethought' of those who. planned and founded' thci fair ,city, and the energy and sagacity 'of those' \vhp Have succeeded them, 'in the 'administration'' 'of 'its affairs. It also testifies to the rapid development <jf tho resources of thc,adjacent country,' and the enterprise of those who have covered it' with crops of grain and made' lt the home of a large and industrious population.' 'On behalf of the Colony I bid the forelgp exhibitors and all Visitors to the .'exhibition a hearty .welcome. That they will be ' cordially received he ye 'by "the, Mayor, Corporation, and citizens'' of Christchurch" I know; and that to whatever part of trio Colony they repair they will have no cause' to complain of the hospitality of ' New Zealand, I am veijy confident. I do not doubt but that they will be we'll pleased by 'what they see here ; and when they return home it will, I belieye, be with an increased sense of the resources' and the attractions of Now Zealand.' The energy displayed by you as tho promoters of this, enterprise has been such as to exclude even trie thought 'of failure. I sincerely trust that the bold experiment; you, have. undertaken niay'be rewarded by in every respect as full a' measure 'of success asjou could yourselves possibly desire. As 'sincerely do I hope that the exhibitors "may find that the trouble they have taken, 1 and. the 1 risk they have incurred in bringing valuable and fragile goods from great distances, may nor, have "been bestowed or encountered in vain. It will afford me much pleasure to forward to the Queen the medal just placed in my hands. '< I know that her Majesty takes the deepest interest in such entei prises as thin, inseparably associated, as 'they ever must be, with the name of the late Prince Consort. Nor will it be the less welcome to her Majesty as coming from a Colony the loyal congratulations bf whose people on her recent escape from danger she has warmly acknowledged and will not hastily forget. I now formally declare this Exhibition open.

His Excellency's reply was greeted with long and enthusiastic cheers, which were renewed upon Mr Joubert calling for three cheers for the Governor. >

Mr Hamilton's band then performed a new "International March" composed by their chi6f, who was afterwards presented to his Excellency by Mr Joubort. Then came tho real treat of the ceremony — the performance by the Ghristchurch Musical Society of Mendelssohn's " Hymn of Praise." This was executed in really first-class stylo under the able leadership of Signor Sorgo*, but it is a matter for groat regret that the dis orderly conduct of a number of the crowd in the northern avenue entirely prevented due enjoyment of tho production, and once actually necessitated a pause in tho music. The sola-i of course suffered most from this interruption, but Miss Fairhurst and Mr and Master Appleby are nevertheless entitled to hearty praise for their very excellent singing. At the conclusion of this and an " Exhibition March," the Governor and party descended the diiis aud passed out to tlioir carriage, it being considered bettor to postpone the intended tour of the buildings in consequence of the unfinished state of the courts and the unmanageable crowd present. A day will, however, bo appointed for this shortly. Lady Gordon, I may mention, was the recipient of two very pretty presents, one ft neatly and artistically-

arranged bouquet presented by-Master Duncan, and the other a very handsome pair of blue velvet slippers with white satin bows, presented ,by a member of the bootmakers' society. ' The Artillery corps again saluted the dopart'ing corteffe with 17 guns as before, and the Cavalry which had remained in attendance formed the homeward escort.