OPENING OF THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 21

OPENING OF THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

AN IMPOSING PAGEANT.

(Per Pkess Association.)

Melbourne, August 1

People were early astir this morning, and thousands filled the streets. The day w.ts observed as a pnblic holiday all over Victoria. The principal point of interest was the gainering of the procession, which formed one of the main features of the opening ceremony. Collins street was the rendezvous for the various public bodies intending to take part in it. At the upper end of thw thoroughfare paraded the naval and military forces of the colony, along with contingents of bluejackets and marines from the English and French men-of-war in the harbour. Nest to them were 800 fire-

men in uniform, accompanied by four bands and 40 different pieces of fire appliances. Then followed 3000 members of friendly societies, and four bands* who reached the rendezvous by way of William street. Eight thousand members of the trade societies, with 40 banners and six bands, marched up from Drummond street, and joined the friendly societies. The procession lined the greater part of Collins street four deep on each side, awaiting the appearance of tha vice-regal party. Twelve officers and 40 sub-officers, with 350 constables and 460 mounted troopers, kept order.

Sir James Hector has laboured unceasingly to get the New Zealand court in order, and the result reflects the highest credit both on him and his assistants, Messrs Oallis and W. Vaux. [A description of the court and its arrangement we were able to publish in our issue of Tuesday.]

At half-past 11 the commissioners and members of the committee assembled at the northern entrance of the Exhibition Building, where a guard of honour was stationed. The main corridor of the building, known as the "Avenue of Nations," was lined with troops, and the grand hall with seamen. Governor Loch arrived at noon, and was received with a general salute, after which he and his entourage, which included the Governors of all the Australasian colonies, was conducted along the Avenue of Nations in he following order :—

Marshal of tho Ceremonies (Colonel Button). The Deputy-marshal with the Queen'a Colour* and the Victorian Colours. Tha Imperial Naval and Military Officers. Officers of Foreign Warships. The Commandants of the Colonial Forces.

Members of the Ceremonial Committee. Members of Ministries from the Neighbouring ' Colonies. The Chief Justice of Victoria. The Speakers of Parliaments. The Admiral's Staff. The Governors of the Colonies. The Exhibition Commissioners of Foreign Countries. The Consular Body.

Passing the various courts the bands stationed In the annexe played the " Star-spangled banner," " Ich Bin em Prusso," Haydn's " Austrian hymn," " The Marseillaise," and the " Red, white, and blue." As the head of the procession reached the grand hall tho organ and orchestra, conducted by Mr F. H. Cowan, played the National Anthem. The Governors of the various colonies and the principal guests of the Exhibition Commissioners ascended the dais, the remainder occupying a platform behind the president (Sir James M'Bain M.L.C.), who oif ered up a prayer for the success of the exhibition, and the " Old hundredth " was sung, followed by a song of thanksgiving, apecially composed by Mr Cowen.

The President then ascended the dais and read the following address : —

Sir Henry Loch,— The cotnmissloneraof this colony desire to accord to you their heartiest welcome, and to convey to you an assurance of the devoted loyalty to her Majesty the Queen of the Crown as represented in your person. In response to a general feeling that the centenary of Australia should not be allowed to pass uncommemorated, Victoria incurred the responsibility of proposing to Parliament the holding of an exhibition of art and industry. In undertaking this important work the Government end peopleot Victoria thought that the opportunity should be afforded to all the colonies to combine for tho purpose of showing honour to the mother colony of .New South Wales, to demonstrate the progress of art and industry, to foster the sentiment of Australasian federation, and generally to exhibit the varied resources of a great country. After referring to the work of tho Boyal Commission, Sir James proceeded to remark that the fact of , the . Prince of Wales having been elected President of the British Commission was a further evidence of the interest taken by his Hoyal Highness in the colonies. On behalf of the commissioners he desired to thank Lord Knutsford t for his good offices in assisting them. To Lord Hosebery also their thanks were due for his untiring exertions in their behalf. They also desired to thank the representatives from all'parts of the world, who were to-day pre3ent to assist In the opening celebrations. As the various countries agreed to send exhibits it became apparent that the space, which was at first considered sufficient, would be totally inadequate. It therefore became necessary to extend the area of the annexes by about 2i}£ acres, making the total area of the exhibition 86 acres, as against an area of 20 acres occupied by the exhibition of 1880. In addition to the countries officially represented, Canada, Itply, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden. Spain, Holland, India, China; Japan, Fiji, and New Guinea, and many others, had shown their interest in the undertaking by sending exhibits. The commissioners fairly claimed that the magnitude and value of the exhibits far surpassed anything heretofore displayed in the Southern Hemisphere. He desired to thank the Government for the liberality with which the necessary fuuda had been provided, and also the Governments of various countries and colonies tor exhibiting. On behalf of the commissioners, he thanked his Excellency for honouring them in consenting to open the exhibition, and begged to hand him n. codv of the official catalogue, the diversity of which would enable him to form an. idea ot the magnitude of the undertukiug. In conclusion, Sir James expressed his fervent hope that an inspection of the products of the world's thought and labour would, under the blessing of Providence, educate the people, stimulate them to greater enterprises in future, and enhance the prosEerityand happiness of all. It only remained for im, in the name of his fellow commissioners, to request that his Excellency would be pleased to declare the Melbourne Exhibition of 1888 open in the name of her Gracious Majesty, whom God preserve.

On concluding the reading of the address, Sir James Macßain presented his Excellency with a gold key, made by Chubb, of the main entrance of the exhibition building. His Excellency Sir H. B. Loch said it would be a most pleasing duty for him to convey to her Majesty the Queen the assurance of their devoted loyalty, and he had to thank them for the welcome accorded to him as her Majesty's representative. The feeling entertained at the centenary marked a worthy occasion, and had found expression at the great gathering at the celebration of the centenary in Sydney. He felt doubtful whether the future generation would show the same record of progress as that of the first centennial. He warmly congratulated the commissioners on the result of their labours, which had been most arduous, and attended with a large amount of responsibility in making the exhibition the success it was. The building covered a larger area under one roof and floor than any other building erected in the world. The site of the present exhibition was Melbourne, the metropolis of Victoria', in which all the colonies take an equal pride as a purely Australian inception and character. He desired to place on record the obligation under which they were to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, whose exertions secured the most valuable collection of loan pictures that ever left England, They should gracefully recognise the generosity of her Majesty and other owners who risked their valuable pictures in order to enable those in the colonies, who are to a certain extent shut out from museums and art galleries in Europe, to study some of the most beautiful specimens of art produced in ,the old world, and to enjoy viewing a collection of art which alone marks the exhibition as unique in the annaln of similar undertakings. Thanks were also due to the sister colonies, the mother country, and foreign countries for thsir cordial response to send exhibits showing the advance made in manufactures and industries. He referred to the successful efforts of the commissioner to provide music unequalled iv auy part of Australia; and undt-r a leader of such great talent. He waseonfidentlbat great beneficial results would be derived by the people of these young and energetic colonies by

careful study of the great works of art and the industries of the world, be they connected with ihe highest branch of art or science or engaged in practical inventions, — the results of study that directed the discovery of ever-im-proving methods in the application of chemistry and improvements in machinery, which were leading developments for the benefic of mankind. His Excellency, continuity s<i;d Ih^s there was unlimited wealth hidden in the great storehouse of the world whioh would bring iiome in future generations full value. Instruction derived from an mtelligentstudy of the works on exhibit might bring some of this wealth within the reach of thousands. Steps would ba doubtless taken to secure an impartial record of exhibits from which true deductions oould be drawn. The bringing together of art treasures, machinery, and industrial products would teach wh.it cultivated art and skilled science had i!one Jor the elevation and solace of mankind ; and a, direct discussion of their respective merits could lead to further development and improvement. Advantage would undoubtedly accrue to the world by the encouragement of such exhibitions as an opportunity for friendly competitive rivalry between all the leading firms in the world. But they should likewise be viewed as so well described in the eloquent addresses delivered at the opening of the Philadelphia Exhibition. In this they were described as being the means of bringing together nationalities which had extended their relations to promote the acquisition and diffusion of a better knowledge of the natural resources, products, and national methods of promoting industries. They create and enlarge a mutual respect and esteem, and often, by the removal of" prejudices, contributed to the preservation of harmony and peace — bhe noble3t aims of modern civilization. He then declared the exhibition open. His Excellency jcabled to her Majesty the Queen: — "I beg to inform your Majesty, amidst great public rejoicing, of the openiug of the Melbourne Exhibition in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of British settlement in Australia. Ceremony performed in presence of Governors of colonies and vast concourse of spectators."

He also cabled to H.R.H. Prince of Wales, thanking him for presiding at the British commission, and also for the great interest he had always evinced towards the exhibition.

At the conclusion of the vice-regal speech a saluie was fired from the English and French men-of-war. The Cantata, of which Mr F. Cowen is the author and Rev. Allan King the composer, was then sung, after which both author and composer were presented to his Excellency the Governor. The? " Hallelujah Chorus" and "National Anthem " were sung; and three cheers having been given for her Majesty the Queen aud vice-regal party the procession returned to the Avenue of Nations, the commissioners of each court being presented to Sir Heu ry Loch.

The largest crowd ever seen in the city assembled shortly before noon to wifcue&s the procession. The weather was fine, but a cold wind was blowing, with a threatening sky. The viceregal party left Government House and entered Flinders street by way of the new Prince's bridge. They drove down Flinders street into Spencer street, thence along Collins street, Spring street, and Victoria street, entering the exhibition grounds by way of Calfcon street, the whole route being lined by the different societies previously mentioned. The latter formed into procession after the vice-regal carriage had passed, and entered the exhibition building by different doors. From 6000 to 8000 spectators were seated in the grand hall when the viceregal party were admitted by the northern entrance, aud the interior presented a most brilliant spectacle. As patrons of the exhibition, the Governors walked to the dais erected for them. A3 the Governors ascended the dais several persons tried to get up a cheer, but there was no response, this not being part of the official programme, and the abortive effort of these excited people created much laughter. A full choir and orchestra then performed the National Anthem, the music having a very grand effect in the great hall.

His Excellency's speech in reply to the address of the president was not finished till 17 minutes past 1. The arrangements at the opening ceremony were perfect, every part of the programme being carried out without a hitch, and no accident of any kind marred the proceedings. It goes without saying that the entire route of the procession — in fact, all parts of the city, wer« brilliantly decorated in honor of the occasion.

Owing to some mismanagement between the Executive Commissioners and the local press all information was denied to the latter till Thursday, an exception being made in favour of the New Zealand Press Association, to whom, thanks to the good offices of Oolonel Sargood, one of the vice-presidents, aud his Excellency's private secretary, every facility was afforded to enable full reports of the speeches to be sent to New Zealand at the earliest moment.

The weather continued fine till after the opening ceremony, but a drizzling rain fell in the afternoon. His Excellency gives a dinner at Government House to-night.

The Mararoa sailed from the Bluff for Melbourne on tha 27th, with 353 men, women, and children, eiual to 318 adults, being the largest number of passengers ever taken by one boat from the colony. A large proportion of the passengers have return tiukets.

The Bhip Pleioue, which had been ashore on Waikane beach for about four months, and which was floated a few days ago, was successfully towed into Wellington harbour yesterday morning, and taken to the patent slip for overhaul. A derelict iron ship of 1000 tons, laden with nitrate valued at £20,000, ia floating about the South American coast.