OPENING OF THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3385, 3 August 1885, Page 3

OPENING OF THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

(By Telegraph.) WELIINOTOy, Aug. 2. Tho inauguration of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition was effected yesterday afternoon, at 2.30, beforo nn immonso assemblage of ladies nnd gontlcmon, including Cabinet Ministers and Government ofllcials. The weather w»s all that could havo been desired, and though the sun did not favor tho ceremony with his full radiance, nevertheless the day was clear, fine and invigorating. The principal places of business m tho city and suburbs closed at ono o'clock, and a holiday was thus agreed to which, for some reason or other, was not proclaimed cither tt Government holiday or a Municipal ono. Tho occasion was taken advnntsgo of oy all olaßßes and conditions of men, and tho excursion trains from the country were crowded to excess. About half-past one o'clock tho invited visitors and others who wero not so privileged as to havo received complimentary tickets began to arrive, and before two o'clock tho stream which passed between tho turnstiles was continuous. Tho Wellington Guards and Naval Artillery wero called out to form a guard of honor, and tho B Battery firod a saluto whilo tho Herrutunga Light Horso did good lorvice m kooping the entrance to tho Exhibition from being over-crowded. Immediately tho doors wero opened a »ccno of considerable confusion ensued. The officials appeared as if they had lost all power to preserve order. Tho small body of polico on the ground under tho command of Inspectors Shearman and Goodall did

their best to keep things right. The Indies (more especially those who had given their services towards contributing to the musical portion of tho programmo) wero indeed to be pitied. Their elaborate toilets were ruthlessly crushed, and m many instances hud their dresses nearly torn from their backs, and how it was that some casualty did not occur Beems marvellous. By two o'clock, although the building wns by no means crowded to excess, the gates wero ordered to bo closed, and all further admission wns refused. In a few minutes a largo assemblage of men, ladies and children wero gathered round the gates claiming admittance, aud m the crowd wero to bo seen ministers of tho Crown, members of Parliament and Consuls, all vainly endeavoring to obtain admission. The crush was foarful. At length at about 2.15 tho Minister of Public Works, accompanied by Liout.-Colonel Pearco and Lady Yogel, managed to induce Mr Callis to open the gates, and then a general rush ensued. This state of things lasted for upwards of ten minutes, after which the doors wero ognin closed. At 2.25 the salute fired by the Artillery announced that tho Governor had left Government House, nnd as tho clock chimed the half-hour His Excellency Sir W. D. Jervois and suite drove up to the Exhibition Buildings, tho Governor's escort being a troop of the Uerrotunga Light Horso, under tho command of Captain Scales, Lieutanants Izard and Pringlo. His Excellency the Governor, who woro the uniform of Major-General of tho army, and the insignia of a Knight, Grand Cross St. Michael and St. George, was accompanied by Lady Jervois, aud attended by Major Eceles, A.D.0., and Mr Pennefather, Private Secretary. As the Governor drove up to tho building the Guard of Honor gave a general saluto, and tho Garrison Band played a few bars of " God Save the Queen." As the Governor's party alighted His Excellency and Lady Jervois and suite wero met by His Worship the Mayor and the Chairman of tho Ceremonial "Committee, and wero conducted, or rr.ther had to elbow their way throxigh the throng m the main avenue, to the ceremonial hall where a dais hnd been prepared for them immediately m front of tho orchestra. The arrangements for the reception of the Gubernatorial party were anything but satisfactory. His Excellency was of course expected at 2.30 p.m., and punctually to that time he arrived. It might have been kept clear for Sir William Jervois and those accompanying him, but long beforo his arrival tho corridor leading to the ceremonial hall wns densely packed while the hall itself must have contained fully 2000 people. Shortly before the hour of opening, tho police under Inspectors Shearman nnd Goodall, made efforts to clear tho gangway, but their efforts were not backed up by tho firmness which the occasion demanded, and as soon as one section of the invaders was moved back another took its place, so that there was a perpetual jam. Every one, of course, struggled to obtain some point of vantago, and the spectators from the upper end of the Hull could sco v living writhing mns3 of humanity, each individual having a caro only for his own convenience. Upon tho Governor entering the main building, Mr Kobt. Parker, organist of St. Paul's, who was associated with Mr Hantrie West, of St. Peter's, m I carrying out tho musical arrangements m connection with the ceremony, took up a position m front of the organ, and tho orchestra, which consisted of about 30 instrumentalists, including some of the beat amateurs m Wellington, played a few bars of the National Anthem m a manner that was anything but creditable. If there was anything to be found fault with m connection with this part of the programme it was m the fact that, the orchestra wns not as strong as it might have been. This is to be accounted for i by the fact that the several members of the { Band were unable to reach the orchestral platform owing to the crowd. As His Excellency and suite advanced the entire assemblage rose, and Mrs Greenwood eang the first verso of the National Anthem, the orchestra accompanying. The second verse was rendered by the following quartette : — Mrs Webb (alto), Mr W. Widdop (bass), Mr J. Plimmer (tenor), nnd Mrs W. J. Parsons (soprano), Mr West accompanying on the organ. The third verse was sung by the whole choir. Both tho orchestra and the organ accompanied, and tho effect wns good. It may here be mentioned that the choir, which was composed of 200 voices, occupied tiers of seats on either side of the organ. The number of singers would have been greater but for the fact that about 30 ladies and gentlemen who had promised to take part m tho proceedings were unable to make their way up to tbut portion of the Hall reserved for the choir, and consequently could not assist m tho singing. The Indies of the choir were dressed m cream-colored dresses, with cardinal and pale-blue sashes, and tho effect wasexcellent. The organ was draped with Hogs. After the National Anthem had been gone through, the orchestra played Wngner's march "Hail Bright Abode." This was followed by choruses "Crown with festnl pomp tho Day," " How excellent Thy Name," and "Music Spread Thy Voieo A round " (all by Handel). The "whole of the choruses wore rendered m the most successful manner, not a hitch occurring throughout j a circumstance which must be regarded as eminently satisfactory. The orchestra also played well, and tho musical arrangements were carried out m ft manner that reflected the greatest credit on those concerned. After the musical ceremonies, Sir Julius "Yogel said : Your Excellency, — I greatly appreciate the honor permitted mo m asking you to render your services m opening this Exhibition. I could havo wished that my colleague tho Premier had officiated m my stead, but, with a generosity which characterises him, he was kind enough to permit me the distinction of doing so. Your Excellency, this Exhibition is not by many the first held m New Zealand, but it has this distinguishing fcatnro, it is tho first entirely held under tho charge and control of the Colonial Government and confined to local productions, and we owe it to tho interest which members of both Houses of the Logislaturo take m tho local productions of tho colony. There may be many differences of opinion as to tho modo m which it is most desirable to stimulate local industry, but, your Excellency, all sides, all parties, all men, have joined m placing tho highest possiblo value upon the local industries of the colony. We aro to some extent, if I may uso the expression, a collection of Robinson Crusoe'i, who havo come to these islands with a view of making the most of what they can produce, but we aro more fortunate than Kobinson Crusoe, because we receive a good deal of outside assistance, but it ia a fact that many thousands of people who are now m the coleny, havo had for their work, and contimio to have for it, the procuring of those things that uaturo beautifully yields to tho industry of man. This country I venture to think is altogether fitted for industrial pursuits. Its splendid climate, its prolific soil, abundant supplies of coal and water power, the industrious habits of the peoplo, its distance from all other countries, and, I venture to »ay, its labor-loving population, must lead us to the conclusion that the colony of New Zealand is destined to bocomo a largo producing and manufacturing country. I do not think wo Imvo dono badly hithorto. Thoro aro now living amongst us and autivo still, some of the early pioneers of tho colony, and yet is a fact which I have ascertained from careful enquiries that no lator than tho 31st of Murch, 1883, two years sitico, the net valuo of proporty m tho colony after discharging all dobts outsiflo, amounted to no less than 127 millions sterling, or £227 per head. Not bad work for half a million of people m one generation, and that, your Excellency, is oxclusivo of tho property of tho Maoris. It would not bo right on an occasion like this to omit to sUto that, wo havo m tho native population, now that all difficulties arc surmounted, n. race that promises to bo a feature m tho futtiro of the colony ; a raco whoso intellectual and great physical power if developed must mako them remarkable amongst the rest of mankind. (Gheors.) The present Exhibition, Your Excellency, is designed to tell us what amount of progress we have made up to tho prosent timo m tho industrial development of tho colony, nnd to servo us moreover ns an indox to future developments. When we codid to havo furtlipr Exhibitions from timo to timp, Your Exoellonoy will, I am euro, agree with me that it is especially meant that members of both Houses of Parliament should bo here to have under thoir notico tho dovolopmont of tho colony, and to judg* from timo to time what improve-

ments can and have been made m industrial productions, and thorefore it is peculiarly gratifying on tiio occasion ttrnb wo fiavo tijc honor of the presence of the President of tho Legislative Council and the Speaker of the Houbo of Assembly, and nearly all tho members of both Houses and your Excellency. I am sure I speak the views of all assembled here when I say that it will bo especially gratifying, not only to those who are looking to these proceedings from one end[of tho colony to tho other, that yon are able to say, without indulging m unnecessary compliment, that you think the Exhibition is a credit to tho industry and labor of tho people of New Zealand. (Cheers.) I will not, Your Excellency, refer to another Exhibition which takes place very shortly. I can only say that this present Exhibition represents what may bo done by the union of labor and capital. We shall m the Home industry branch have an illustration of what may bo done by the unaided industry of the individual alone. Beforo I concludo I hope I may be allowed to remark that we are first of all greatly indebted to tho untiring and unwearying exertions of Dr Hector, upon whom has devolved a vast amount of work m connection with this Exhibition. I may here also say that we are indebted to Mr Callis for tbo extraordinary zeal and aptitudo he has displayed, and I must not forget to montion tho services of Mr Kruworth and your Excellency. It is rernnrkablo m connection with the Exhibition how much we owo to the gratuitous aid of tho people m all parts of the colony. I cannot too gratef ully acknowledge tho efforts which havo enabled us to produce the Exhibition m such a comparatively economical manner and m such a way as will render it possible to hold other exhibitions m a like kind from time to time. It will now be only for me to say on behalf of those around me, m tho presence of tho members of both Houses of tho Legislature, the high ofllcials of tho State, m presence of representatives from all pnrts of the colony, including the Mayors of tho principal cities of the colony, that we feel indebted to your Excellency for your attendance at tho opening of the Exhibition, and I am expressing their opinion, I am sure, m saying I hope this will not be the last, occasion on which you will render like service m connection with other Exhibitions. (Cheers.) I will now nsk your Excellency to address this great gathering and declnro the Exhibition open. (Loud applause.) His Excellency the Governor then said, — The duty now dovolvcs on mo of formally declaring tho Industrial Exhibition open, and I do so with the greatest pleasure, for I maintain that the undertaking which we are to inaugurate, and which will, I trust, bo the source of many gatherings of the sort marks an era of New Zealand. I have watched the progress of the Exhibition daily, and feel certain that many visitors to it will learn with surprise— l might almost say, with astonishment — how much energy and skill arc displayed by tho various cities and districts of the colony. The labor of those who have been engaged m tho preparation of this work will not assuredly bo thrown away if the result of it is tho promotion of colonial co-operation and friendly unanimity between all who can look with pride on what the colony as a whole has achieved. To Sir Julius Vorcl must be accorded tho credit of originating the Exhibition. (Hear, hear.) I also must not omit to acknowledge how much we arc indebted to Dr. Hector for the services ho has rendered m connection with this Exhibition which have been of the most important character, and they have been performed m a manner whiuh reflects the greatest credit upon him. Cheers). It must strike anyone who examines the products around us that we are rapidly coming to the time when the colony will be so far developed as to afford a "field for many talents, whether scientific, literary, medical, or artistic. No doubt this Exhibition is small compared with tho magnificent collections which havo been displayed elsewhere, but then it ought not to be compared with those vast world fairs which have been celebrated from time to time since the idea was first originated by tho late Prince Consort m 1851. Whether we consider tho value of the articles shown here, or the number of exhibitors, the proportion of tho population of the colony is larger than that of the Exhibition of 1851 was to tho population of the United Kingdom at that date. I would not, however, let it bo supposed that anything that may bo done m tho way of exbib'tions can free us from what I may say tho duty of taking part m the greater exhibitions of Europe. It is impossible that the dwellers m all parts of tho colony should realise the progress that tho whole is making, but it is essential to tho development of New Zealand as a productive county, and a country which seeks an increase of population that tho outside world should have a correct idea of the history, scenery, fertility and general capabilities of this rich and beautiful country. So early as 1851, when tho English population of New Zealand did not amount to more than 20,000 souls, and the colonial revenuo was not £50,000, I find that no less than '10 exhibitors from New Zealand took part m the London International Exhibition. What, therefore, cannot bo dono with a population of half a million, and industries developed as wo see here to-day? A year ago, whon lecturing not far from this spot, I spoke about tho alarming incroaso m the destructive power of various implements of war — a subject of great interest, though a lamentublo one, to soldiers, no less than to civilians. Many consider with regret how much good might havo been done if only the labor and ingenuity which havo been ueed m devising implements of destruction had been directed m peaceful channels. It is matter for congratulation, however, that m New Zealand at lcaet wo know that weapons of war aro only a. means for ensuring peace, and I am happy to think that during the past few months I have been able to turn my professional knowledge to account by assisting to shield this country, its peoplo and its commerco against evils that might result from attacks by a hostile powor. It is a vory great pleasure to me to be here to-day to take tho place of her Majesty's representative m the formal opening of tho first New Zealand Industrial Exhibition. Wo cannot, it is true, unlock tho trensuros of a bygone- ago ; the historical collections which havo formed so interesting a part m tho Exhibitions of Europe, must bo wanting m this young community ; but wo now sec around us the trophica of a happy and useful present j the products of a free, industrious, and a progressive nation. His Excellency was loudly cheered at tho conclusion of his speech. Tho Choir then sang Handel's " Hallelujah Chorus," after which His Excellency said it now only remained for him to dcclaro tho Now Zealand Industrial Exhibition open. Threo hearty chcors wero then given, and tbrco moro for tho Govornor, and ono for Sir J. Yogel. The proceedings thon terminated, and tho assemblage dispersed to inspect tho exhibits m tho main building. Throughout tho night tho Exhibition remained crowded, and it was with tho greatest, difficulty that any of the exhibits could bo seen. To-morrow nnd Tuesday the Exhibition will only romain open from noon till 4.30 p.m., and on Wednesday night there is to be a ooncert. The goncral arrangements of the oponing ceremony gavo tbo utmost dissatisfaction which could havo been easily uvoidod by a littlo forethought on tho part of tho mauagoinent, as a sido entrance should have been arranged, by which all thoso holding reserved tickets and others taking part m tho choruses could havo reached their seats without having to push thoir way through an immense crowd. A largo number of tho exhibits aro not yet m position, but those will bo arrangod during tho week, and it ie also intended to enlarge tho building to accommodate tho oxhibits. Tho fine arts gallery is moat complete, but the ventilation is so bad that on Snturday niuht it was found necessary bo closo this part of tho Exhibition, and steps will bo taken to havo better ventilation.