THE COMMONWEALTH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 9036, 3 January 1901, Page 3

THE COMMONWEALTH.

PRESENTATION*TO LORD HOPETOUN. Bleotrio Telegraph—Copyrig.'.t— United Pres Association-. (Received January 3, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 2. An interesting event m connection with the celebrations occurred yesterday, when the members of the City Council officially visited Government House and presented iord Hopetoun with a_ magnificent casket, elaborately worked Si gold and silver, mounted on a stand of polished Australian blackwood, and an address of welcome. Tha Mayor made the presentation, and gave a few words of welcome. Lord Hopetoun, replying, said he had been touched with the cordiality of his reception, both at the landing and swear-ing-in. . ' AN UNMANAGEABLE CROWD. A portion of yesterday's Fire Brigades' demonstration had to be abandoned owing to pressure of the crowds of people clustered so thickly'round the steamers. The crowds persisted m obstructing the movements of the firemen, and the latter were compelled to requisition a hose, with an abundant supply of water. With loud shouts of laughter from the men and shrieks of consternation from the women, the crowd scattered before the watery onslaught like mists before the rising sun, but no sooner did they make an opening m one place than they worked round and hampered the firemen m another. The people were practically unmanageable. A small body of police were present, bat were unable to do anything. (Received January 3, 9.57 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 3. Sir John Madden, Chief Justice, has been sworn m as Lieutenant-Governor of the State. The ceremony was purely formal- PERTH, Jan. 3. The city celebrated the,Commonwealth with extensive decorations and illuminations. The chief ceremony was the swearing-in of the Administrator of the Government and Ministers. There was great enthusiasm.