AUSTRALIA FEDERATA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 9035, 2 January 1901, Page 2

AUSTRALIA FEDERATA.

* •w — * BIRTH OF THE COMMONWEALTH.! THE INAUGURATION CELEBRATIONS. ' GORGEOUS AND IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES. i Electrio Telegraph— Copyright— United Press j Association,) ! SYDNEY, Jan. 1. The red-letter day in the Australian history has come and gone, and the political works of the ' year have been consummated, while the work of the past few weeks to make Sydney city worthy of the great function to be held within ita gates has resulted in magnificent success. Midnight services were held in the nearly all the churches, there being thanksgivings for the consummation of^fche Commonwealth. After a thunderstorm early in the evening the Avind settled into the south-west, and at seven o'clock the outlook for a fine day was poor; the sky" was overcast and threatening, with occasional drops of rain. The appearance of the weather evidently frightened off the early seekers after coigns of vantage, for .very few people were present in the streets. The heavy suburban traffic, however, set in before nine o'clock. Men were at work early (this . piorning putting the finishing touches on the decorations, and repair- " ing a little damage done by last night's gale. Everything in the way of decorations was prepared in the most lavish style. The mother colony (New South Wales) accepted the duty, honoring herself, and through herself ;the colonies forming the federation, by initiating tha Commonwealth . with the full determination to make ; the event worthy^pf the occasion. For : weeks past the Government has had 'an army of men, directed by various 1 sectional committees, preparing magnificent decorations along the fivje . miles of the line of route from 1 the outer domain to the swearing-in pavilion of the Centennial Park. • Nothing was left undone, and no .' expense was spared to make a brilliant success. From end to end the , route was sentinelled by tall Venetian masts carrying flags, with connecting strings of streaming bannerettes, while a wealth of bunting, shields, and mural decorations fairly smothered the buildings. A number of magnificent arches were erected at various stages of the route. The swearing-in pavilion is a beautiful pure white octagon structure,, surrounded by seats for invited guests, -with other seats in the | centre. The natural rising amphi- j theatre is capable of seating or holding 1 , 150,000 sight-seers. Every possible , available space has been seized on to erect a stand. Many roofs even have been utilised by those in the ; city. The front -of Parliament House, . Martin Place, and elsewhere * were , made capable of accommodating many ', thousands, while Oxford street from Darlinghurst to Gate's Park was . practically one line of stands, the ' largest occupying the large vacant space along the whole side of ' the \ barracks. Very large sums were spent ,in . erecting stands. It remains to be , seen whether the pay for ' the venture -will be sufficient. The handling of the street traffic was ; admirably conducted. Nothing of a ,- serious character jmarred the proceed- ', ings. The lengtn of the route and the ample pro-vision in the" shape of stands , to view the procession -prevented great '. pressure everywhere. The crowd was orderly. In the extreme early mforning the Domain presented a brilliant* and animated scene as the various con- . tingents of Imperial and colonials arrived and. squadded ready for : marshalling. Precisely at 10.30 the immense cavalcade commenced to move. The mounted police led the way, followed by the fire brigades with the steam fire engines forming an escort to three cars filled with members of the fourth estate. The whole route throughout was lined with local troops, who t kept the passage way clear for the pro- , i cession. By the time everything was fairly under weigh the day was swelter- . ing and, cloudy, but muggy in the extreme. Folio-wing the press were two fine allegorical cars representing] Italy and Canada, formed and occupied' by officers dressed in Italian uniforms, others, in the costume of . Garibaldi's men, Avhile the centre car contained a j large bust of great Italian liberator. 'After the cars came the members . of the local Parliament, City Corporation, and distinguished -visitors. The Premier of New Zealand, Mr. Seddon, occupied a carriage ■with M4' Kingston, and they were escorted by '■■ the Maori members of the contingent/ Sir Robert Stout and Judge Edwards 'shared a carriage. The Primate, but not tjhe Cardinal, took part in the pro- ■ cession. \ After the carriages of notable personages came what formed the chief attraction of the pageant. The military contingent of New South r Wales Lancers led the way, with the South j African returned men and soldiers representing the Soudan contingent ; then came visitors from Queensland, Tasmania, : Westralia, • South Australia, Victoria, and New Zealand in the order named. This brigade was under the command of Colonel Pole-Penton, . the New Zealand • Commandant. Next followed the Indians; and what a brilliant spectacle they ' offered, with their bizarre uniforms! The cayalry section showed themselves splendid horsemen, and .the foot regiments were fine big looking fellows indeed. The bronze complexioned sons of India gave a touch of splfendor to the scene with their rich dresses and turbans. After them came the Imperial force, unuer Colonel Wyndham, with his staff officers leading, a truly noble show of representative regiments avhich upheld the traditions of England's military power. The rear of the procession was brought up by the "handy" men of . the navy. Immediately preceding the Governor-General's carnage were unattached reserve officers, visiting commandants, preceded each by staff officer, then Lord" Hopetoun's carriage, followed by an escort of 101 New South Wales Lancers. Twenty-one bands were stationed at various posts along the route. As the -procession emerged from the Domain the first arch representing one of the ; colony's principal products, it passed an arch' constructed of blocks of coal, with miniature derricks bf mining appliances crowning it. Through this glistening portal of the city it entered Queen's Square, a magnificent, spectacle studded with beautiful citryed pillars 30ft high suspending canopy, the greenery covering the whole square. At the Queen's Statue, under the leafy dome,, between the pillars, were suspended the names of th vario-ua regiments , present in the colony. The white pillars bore the names of the nations ofl the Avorld. Leaving the Square, Macquarie street opened a magnificent : view, being thronged on either hand with crowds of sightseers, the large stands from the Hospital to Parliament House looking like a human anthill. The thoroughfare "was festooned with green, the- colors festive red, white, and blue draping the Venetian' masts, topped -with silver crowns, j The colors were so well handled that nothing- of an inharmonious tone prevailed. From every -window flags waved, and the people cheered and shouted. A number of New Zealand Parliar mentarians were present. All along the ; route the New Zealanders were accorded a welcome, while the Maoris were greatly admired. Passing the Government House gate a magnificent floral arch was seen bearing the word "Welcome" and an emblem of blue gold. Turning Bridge street, which was flanked with warehouses devoted to the pastoral and agricultural industry of the colony, one naturally looked for emblems of these, and was not disappointed. Opposite the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile stand was a beautiful arch, pyramidical in form, surmounted mth a golden crown covered with wool, flanked by two rams and a motto extending a welcome to the land of the golden fleece. From a Venetian mast was drooped Lord Hopetoun's , colors, blue and yellow. Before Pitt street was entered there was an arch built of sheaves of wheat erected, with, a plough on the summit. The facade of the . Exchange was, covered with transparencies, and .the] windoA-rs of the great warehouses were crowded with spectators. On every ■floor there was one continuous volley of cheering, increasing in volume as the pets of the public — Indians, British troops, and battle-worn sons of the colonies— passed in review. The nations of the world claim a large: show- in the decorations of the

city, and after the wheat mea \»w tue ii.u.U ..vuiiUe wuo emWta uy u noule area, liie avenue wi« ' bunked WjlU niasts bearing tiaOiemo. jl.u Jieiie France extends io Hunicr street, und oue is gieeiea wim u.c names ox Freiiciuuen i«uttUtur to ean/ Ausuuiiau lusiory — J_<i .'.lOune, jueuttecasteuux, ana i.e&ugaviiie. Um» ox aims of I'uris, x>yoiis, Alaiseule., and .bordeaux nna piuces, una iuc names ol illustrious 4l._ch.i-_. m science, art, literature, and engineering aie inserted, wiule inscriptions on tu. aiciiway extena tne ftepubnes welcome xo Australian Federation; Hign in the air a. Gallic rooster clows a greeting to the lestive emu. Munier street crossed, an aggressive bird is perched on an t|rch, beautuuhy decorated and bespangled. A spread eagle is Uncle Bard's contribution. An assurance is given tnat tbe United titates greets United Australia and tue American nation hails the new-born nation. The Venetian masts in the Amerivan avenue bear the emblems of various .States, each mast being surmounted by a V golden eagle. Entering Martin Place, and passing tbe Post Office, the scene is impressive. Thousands throng the magnificent and gaily decorated stands, the colors of Hopetoun entwining the masts. * Viewed from the Press Association stand the intermingling colors as each body of troops passes is marvellously effective. flow if* .A 8 . a "hwle of khaki, changing to a brilliant scarlet as the Lite Guards come into view, With glittering cuirasses, shell helmets, whicb in a sweltering atmosphere ! could scarcely be deemed a fitting ! costume for the Sydney climate. In fact, in the long march the Britishers miist have suffered a. great deal from their heavy clothing, . . t* 16 . beat was hard enough to bear riding in a carriage an!d suitably attired. The Post Office place presented a gorgeous kaleidoscopic view of the brazen helmets, Horse [Guards, waving plumes, a moving mass iiof color thrown into relief by the black i mass" of people surrounding the square. Turning into George street tho, |l color scheme changes, but one thing that never alters is the throbbing humanity that occupies every spot where foothold or support can be obtained; a. throng that cheers itself hoarse and never seems weary of practice. Shades of pale blue, white intermingled, with many fine mural decorations, is Sydney s main thoroughfare contribution. „ At the Town HaU the Melbourne City Corporation tribute in the shape of a floral | arch is passed through into Park street. This street is a mass of British flags of eveiy deWgn, lading up to the most beautiful arch of all the Commonwealth. This arch was erected by the citizefas, and the best talent of the city was lavished on it. W is built across the street at Hyde : 1 ark, and its fine proportions are not : interfered Avith by the surrounding buildings, as is the case \nth those in i the city. It is decorated with bronze ■ unels emblfeinatic of .Australia's i advance m science, arts^ and industry, i and has finely-executed pictures show- : mg the landing of Cook; the arrival of the first fleet, and th. departure of i troops for South Africa. College street is entered beneath the German *. arch, crowned with a golden ciwn ■ Tl l*Y.° fi S nres representing GermanAustralian inscription, "United Ger--1 r a » 7 m^ reetB Commonwealth Austra- , lia. city is quitted by a beauti- ' ful classical portal, erected to our > comrades from over the seas and i to our comrades of the southern seas. .Then through a narrow ■ thoroughfare, Oxford street is entered. ns_. eS ° f J* 0 ?* on st^ d « to i£T £ ght down on the Procession, ! and the restricted harrow street makes the applause deafening. A i imaze of waving flags in the hands of excited citizens make the bewildering T™ _ on J? which coptinues riirht | through Oxford street 'to the pfrk ■ 8«t«. After two hours, and the Centennial Park i 8 reached by the a fcl gUard A M Profession, IW, h - 6 wea^T fo i k a breath of ifresb air. The Park can hold a few E?°_" J^ mt "filing anyone, and i2. f u hlas £ awaitin 8 iw not exces- ' s 'J e - „f ? beautiful white pavilion on which is inscribed the names of the ■■ federating States is railed off, and ' specially mvited guests occupy the ht^H the & ht ¥ *»». PaviJion' ihi?fl£^."? h u - Ten . thousand school children who take part in the musical programme are seated, ahd the pavilion itself :: is reserved for the most distinguished, and in it waiting with Lord Hopetoun were Sir Frederick n 3. y ' ._ Ju « ges of ' the Supreme Court, the Primate, Admiral Boitous, f members of the Federal* Ministry SS& Sed _ 1 . 0n T> a n d Carroll, Sir Edward : tfraaoon, Sir Robert Stout, several Federal delegates, Mrs Seddori; Mrs Barton. Jj-ody Forrest, and many Others. In the /centre is a table used by the Queen to sign the original proclamation of the commonwealth. THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY. ' • W^hin two and a half hours of starting, the Governor-General is entering the rark, and a Royal salute is fired. Cheers wbich have been continuous as His Excellency came along from the gates were 1-enewed as he turned from his place in the procession in the paArilion, looking much better than he did oh his official landing a few weeks ago. !! Lord Hopetoun bowed his acknowledgments to the' enthusiastic crowds which followed ' in the wake of the procession. The amphitheatre in which the pavilion is located is swarmed with people, an^ it is impossible to give anything like a,n estimate of those present As Lord Hopetoun took his place in the pavilion, the hymn "Oh fe 0^ **elp »* «« e8 P B *^' to the tune of Stamer s, was sung impressively by the choir of four hundred voices. The Archbishop followed with piayers for the Commonwealth and the Governor-General, and Mr Blockmore, Clerk of South Australian Assembly, who is likely to become Clerk of the Federal Popular Chamber, read the proclamations arjd GovernorGeneral's commission. Amid cheers, the Governor took the oaths o. office, and then the Federal Ministers rivere sworn; including Messrs Lewis and O'Connor, honorary Ministers. The choir*! sang Jack-/ son's "Te Deum," and the jßoyal Horse Artillery fired a salute of twenty-one guns. Lord Hopetoun read cables fi'om the Hon. Mr Chamberlain that the Queen desired to express to the people of Australia her heartfelt interest m the inauguration of the Commonwealth and heattfelt wishes that under Divine Providence the union will increase the wellbeing of her loyal subjects in Australia. The message was read amidst great and prolonged cheering. Lord Hopetoun also read a cablegram from Mr Chamberlain assuring the people of Australia of "the goi>d wishes of the Government to the future Commonwealth of Australia. A telegram of congratulation was also read from the Lieu- , tenant-Governor of Victoria. The public school choir of ten thousand strong voices i sang "Federated Anßtralia," and after / i the hallelujah chorus was rendered, the r ceremony concluded Avith "God 'Save the Queen," sung by combined choirs. His Excellency left the Park as the Prince of [ Wades' Artillery fired another salute of i nineteen guns. The visitors barely reached home before Nature saluted the new nation with a -violent thunderstorm, and for **ati hour's duration very heavy rain fell. It is now (6.50 p.m.) fine again.