SYDNEY AT NIGHT: BRILLIANT ILLLUMINATIONS.

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

SYDNEY AT NIGHT: BRILLIANT ILLLUMINATIONS.

SYDNEYyi Dec. 31. The city presents a wondrous spectacle to-night. _Tbe illuminations; are on a. KiigEiiicent scale commensurate with th© other functions which have marked the celebrations, and f|r surpassing anything previously attempted in the Southern Hemisphe;e. Enormous crowds aie promenading the parks and streets;} which are almost as lignt as day. Powerful arc burners have been arranged!; in groups of tall columns and illuminate the parks, Contain, and Gardens, which, present a fairly scene of great beauty. The flowerbeds aie eveiywhere outlined ; with colored incandescent lights. The fountains lnund Governor Philip's statue are scint;llatfng with rainbow colors Jfrom limelight ray i, forming a magnificent centre. Tho Gardens adjoin Macquilrie street, whi.h, iitnkel as it is by the! Parliament Houses mid other leading yttblic buildings, hni been selected as one. $ the centres of the most lavish decoration. From below tl'e entrance to Government House to Queen's l : lace> at tjhe top of J'v's:g sired, ro«-N of larj>e electric laiups in Julislic red framework oetUng, with crowns of colored lamps abovti and pendnnts of lamps below, span the street at short intervals. From amongst the greenery of. the arch at the entrance to Government' House grounds .sparkle colored prism, lights. On the opposite side of the street the Colonial SecrotajyV Office carries an immense crown on its dome, with festoons of colored electric lamps round the frontage. The Treasury buildings, just below, are similarly decorated.

The Public Library is festooned with colored lamps over the entrance, large crystal crowns, and the letters V.U. in crystal glass. At Macquarie street entrance to the Domain an immense star, with silver points, and a raised portrait ! of the Queen in gold, with the words ] "South Africa" encircling the whole, edged I by a line of miniature electric lights, and Hanked by festoons of colored lamps, j Lang over the main gate. Then come Parliament Houses, the eaves of which have been hung with festoons of ambercolored prismatic lamps. A large amber ctown of prismatic crystal glass, support- j ing the letters V.R., flanked with the j British and Australian coats of arms, occupies the centre of transparencies on each wing, displaying badges of Great Britain and Australia, with a large prismatic star above each. The front of the Mint is a blaze of colored lamps, a centrepiece of two large circular devices ; showing two faces of the Sovereign, j Queen's Place forms a fitting terminal | From the centre of the obelisk radiate ropes of floral wreathing, bearing colored lamps, to the surrounding columns. Round the base of the Queen's Statue rises a beautiful fountain, with lights from the grouping of ferns and greenery. The whole is a triumph of beautiful effects. Entering the Square, the dingy Supreme Conrt building has been transformed almost beyond recognition. Diamonds of colored lamps spring from the top facade and festoon the frontages. Frames in cut crystal glass enclosed transparencies, five being New South Wales views. Martin Plade as Been from the New Zealand Press Association's rooms is one of the gems of the display. The towering spire of the General Post Office stands brightly outlined, its cornices traced and towers festooned from base to spiral with electric lamps. On the Martin Place frontage is an immense map of Australia, with an edging of colored lamps and the word "United" in large letters formed of arc lamps across it. The map forms the centre device. Immense letters formed of silver stars, with a small electric lamp in the middle of each, give "Welcome to our Governor-General." Below, in twelve-foat letters of illuminated gas, is the inscription "God Save the Queen," with a festoon of electric lights underneath. Opposite, facing the Post Of]|ce, the Equitable of New York has a large electric inscription, "Welcome Hopetoun.-" Across George street, facing Martin Place, the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney displays in colored lights the word "Empire/ 1 with a large J&ax and crown, and the Bank of New South Wales electric star lights and a crown, flanked with the letters "V.R., and two large crowns below. The general decoration of Martin Place and Moore street are similar to Macquarie street. The Government Printing Office makes a brave show. Bent street frontage is covered with silver stars and prism lamps. Phillip street side has a device showing the names of the contingents sent to South Africa, centred round with the words "Will not forget you," flanked with transparencies of General Roberts and Baden-Powell. The Customhouse has an electric device representing the flags of the *ix federating States, festoons of lights across the frontage. At the Lands Department, where gas is chiefly employed as an illuminant, is a globe over the main entrance, traversed by broad lines of red white, and blue, shaped like the hull of a. ship, showing the'extent of British territories, with a crown above, and flanked by "V.R. and stars. The other frontages show various devices. The Exchange has a series of transparencies representing the flags oi Great Britain and its dependencies, the words "A United Empire," underneath whicH the Queen is seen crowning a kneeling maiden, holding a sword and helmet. On one side are the words "Young ; Queen lof South Land kneeling down at the Old Queen's feet." On the other side^are the words, "And asked for a mother s;; blessing on the excellent years to be. ±ne Town Hall has a device, "One People, one Destiny," with electric lamps and adornments along the facades, cornices, and dome'. Electric lamps reflecting upon a burnished shield, are fixed on the tramway, standards all along George street to Redfera Station; which also makes a fine display. / The newspaper offices are well to tne front. The Herald has a map of Australia, with the* words "One People, One Destiny' outlined in electric lamps, which are also employed in tie general decorations of the building. The Daily Telegraph has a large map, with the words "The Commonwealth of Australia," and a transparency of Sir Henry Parkes. The Evening News has transparencies showing a maiden holding a group of six stars outstretched, and a picture of the Queen and Lord Hopetoun ou one side and Lady Hopetoun on the other. The Australian Star has an elaborate device in revolving columns and stars. In colored star electric lights are the words "Advance Australia" above, and "Rule Britannia" below. There are private displays throughout the city innumerable, and of many designs. Tpose of the banks, shipping companies, and business firms are most effective. Amongst these might be noticed the Equitable buildings, George street, where the Union Company and the Bank of New Zealand are located. The word "Federation" is in. large letters over the entrance, outlined with electric lamps, which also traverse the cornices and front of the building, and the Union Bank. A large device in polored lamps surmounted the crown and "V.R." with the words "Commonwealth" and "United Australia," and five stars. On the Hunter street frontage the device was the rose, thistle, .and shamrock, "Advance Australia," and "Union is Strength," below colored lamps. The Dixon Tobacco Factory ga,ve a magnificent electric display with effective devices. A number of ships in the, .harbor were illuminated. Band3 are stationed in various parts of. the city and in the parks, and are playing brilliant music which gives additional eaietv to the festival. - " THE STATE BANQUET. A great State banquet was held in the Town Hall to-night. It was a brilliant function. Sir F. Darling, the LieutenantGovernor, presided. Mr Seddon occupied a seat with the other Premiers. The New Zealanders present included Sir Robert Stout, Hon. Carroll, Messrs Witheford, Fraser, Allen,' McGuire, O'Meara, Major Steward, Collins, Major Harris, Field, Judge Edwards, Colonel Periton, Messrs Fowlds, and Napier. > Lord Hopetoun wrote regretting that owing to being tired out with the day's work he was unable to be present. He greatly appreciated the kindness and sympathy extended himself and Lady Hopetoun since their arrival. He was deeply impressed by the magnificent reception of the day. So orderly, so good tempered, there could be no doubt that such a people would advance. He wished them prosperity and happiness. The toast of '"the Queen" was proposed by the. Lieutenant-Governor, who referred to the progress made since the Queen had granted the first Constitution to this colony to the granting of the present Constitution. The Commonwealth had sent the flower of her troops to grace the inauguration of the new nation. Sir W. Lyne proposed the toast of "the Governor-General," and Mr Lewis the toast of the British Navy. Mr Reid, who received a great reception, proposed the toast of the Lieutenant-Governor. / Sir Samue\ Way, in responding to the toast of the-Lieutenant-Governor, said the presence of Mr Seddon, the jmighty Premier of New Zealand (cheers), and Sir Robert Stont, its distinguished Chief Jus*tice, as well as other members of Parliament, showed that the colony was holding out fraternal hands to the Commonwealth. Tha army and navy was proposed by Mr See, and responded to by Colonel Wyndham, in charge of the Imperial troops. Sir Samuel Griffiths, in proposing "the Commonwealth" said there was no comparison between the establishment of the Commonwealth with the establishment of the Canadian Dominion. The latter was little" more than the absorption of two small ntaritime provinces by the already united lower and ■ upper Canada. The work of establishing the German union was not analogous either. That was the "work of rulers. The people were never asked to do it. The Commonwealth of (Australia was unique. : It was the work of the people of Australia. He stated tthat the present result was due to the intelligent application of minds which after a lengthy series of years determined should be established a new nation on the face of the earth. There was never such another opportunity for union hi the world as lay before Australia. He eulogised Sjr H. Parkes' efforts to this end. Mr Barton, replying, said few cities outside London would or could have given .such a magnificent demonstration as that of to-day. - The people were to be complimented on the order maintained. He reviewed the jfrogress of the Federal movement and concluded by proposing the ttoast of Sir H. Parkes, the father of Federation, which was drunk in silence. Responding to the toast of "the visi- j tors," Mr Seddon was accorded a very j jiearty reception. He wished the toast-

,of those who had come from all parts of the world m honor of United Au&irana hud been placed in abler hands, it was U) the honor of Australia that the behaviour of the peopie renected throughout ! the pageantry of the day. At the Queexis ] Jubilee in .London he witnessed poverty. j 'lhank goodness none of that was witnessed in Sydney, and in that respect an ' example was shown the mother country. Speaking for the visitors, he expressed a 4iope tnat they would soon hear of Lady Hopetoun's healtii being fully restoieu. Speaking for New Zealand, he wished to i -say that althougU up to the present that ! colony had not seen its way to become ' united with Australia, still n had a very friendly feeling, and wished United Australia all success. Anything that the co- - lony could do to help Australia would be cheerfully rendered. There were obligations which no constitution that would :be framed would meet. The pageantry ! that day showed that the peopie of 'Australia were with New Zealand heart JUnd soul, and New Zealand must be heart and soul with Australia. Mr Seddon, continuing, said should occasion arise New Zealand would give its heart's blood in defence of Australia, as it had done for South Africa, and he was confident that if New Zealand was embroiled in difficulty Australia would stand shoulder to shoulder with the people he had the honor to be the Premier of . There had been present in that day's procession Maoris and the Native Minister. (Applause.) The Maori race was duly 'represented as they went through the pageantry. The^words "Welcome" were shouted from those who had in the past been New Zealanders to Australia. Their words were "Aroha! aroha! aroha! ake, ake, ake!" "Love, love, love, forever, for ever, for ever, and for ever." (Loud applause.) As one who came to Australia 35 years ago he' could say that while New Zealand had precedence in his thoughts lie would never forget the people that first gave him a start in life. Australia had now one people, and one destiny, whose aim should be to improve the existing condition of things. He concluded with an eloquent expression of good wishes to Australia. Mr Foster, of Cape Colony, tendered congratulations to the new nation. Mr Moore, of. Natal, brought a messages, that prosperity might attend the historical event now celebrated. He was commissioned to deliver a message of heartfelt gratitude for the service rendered South Africa in the hour of need. He hoped the result of the war would be a white brotherhood in . what was little more than a black continent. He hoped eventually the Dutch would join that brotherhood. Mr Bayard, representative of Ceylon, acknowledged the compliment paid his colony by the invitation. The proceedings then terminated. TWO FATAL ACCIDENTS. Jan. 2. — Two accidents attended the procession. . While entering Centennial jPark the horse of a mounted trooper became unmanageable. In its attempt to avoid ,the crowd it bounded in the air, and landed on the chest of Inspector Jiremner, a well-known police officer, severely . injuring his spine. Brenxuer succumbed during the night. The t*oopfe was. unhorsed. Two others weie knocked? down and slightly injured. Constable Sharpies, of Bathurst, was swept from a tram in Oxford street, and hi skull was fractured. CELEBRATIONS IN OTHER STATES. The inauguration" of the Commonwealth was celebrated in other capitals and . all the country towns. In Melbourne a salute of 101 guns was fired. The city was decorated- with flags. There were no public functions. The weather was fine till the afternoon, when it rained. In Hobart the chief ceremony was the swearing-in of Justice Dodd as Administrator. At Brisbane Lord Lamington was sworn-in as State Governor. The proceeding of reading the proclamation* of the Commonwealth was marked with Jtouch enthusiasm in the presence of a large gathering. A procession including the military forces and members of Friendly Societies followed, and proceeded to the Exhibition Ground, where sports were held. En route 500 children sang Australian patriotic songs, and presented Lady Lamington with bouquets. The returned soldiers received a great ovation during the march. In Adelaide amongst a of events the chief was the swearing-in of Lord Tennyson as State Governor. There was a fine display of bunting.