THE ROYAL TOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 10 May 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL TOUR.

' OPENING OF THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. 1 United Press Association—Per Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright. Received 11.31 a-m., May 9th, MELBOURNE, May 9. 1 The reception at Government House yes- • terday was one of the largest ever held ' there. 'A vivid scene was brilliant with 1 the gorgeous uniforms and the Royal entourage. The Duke was attired in an Admiral's uniform, and the Duchess wore i» superb black dress, with diamonds and 1 diamond coronet. They were attended by, 1 equerries iViscount Crichtoni and the Duke of Roxburgh, and were present in the ball room the greater part of the evening. A number off citizens were presented to the Duke and Duchess'. Also the Hon. J. G. Ward, Sir M. O'Rourke, the Hon. W. C. Walker, Mr Hannan, and a. number of other New Zealanders were present. There were two thousand five hundred guests. The New Zealand Naval Contingent participated with other nava! brigades in forming a guard of honour during the Duke's recent visit to the warships, which was the more interesting in that the present was the first occasion on which the naval forces of Australasia were brigaded as a single force.Received 11.15 a.m., May 9th. The choice of President of the Senate 1 will not be as unanimous as for the Speakership of the lower Chamber. There are three candidates, Sir Richard Baker, Sir William Zeal, and Sir Frederick Sargood. The fact that South Australia secured the Speakership may operate against Sir Richard Baker's chances in the Senate. At a meeting of the Labour Party 22 of those present resolved to support Sir Frederick. Sargood for the presidency of the Senate. The party agreed to differ on the fiscal question, but with regard to a WJiito Australia, old age pensions, and compulsory arbitration, will act unitedly. Thick rain set in last evening, and gave promise of a bad day. The morning opened with wintry weather, but as the morning progressed the dull leaden clouds broke away, and the sun shone out'. The Governor-General leaves Government House at 11 o'clock, accompanied by u, captain's escort of 34 officers and men. He will be followed 10 minutes later by the Duke and Duchess with a Royal escort of 116 men. The ceremonial will extend over an hour. It is anticipated that 10,000 persons will bo present. Received 5.50 p.m., May 9th. The coping stone of United Australia was laid to-day by the opening of Parliament by the Duke of York. The weather was fine and clear, with a bitter, boisterous wind. From an early hour great crowds line 3 the streets to witness the Royal procession from Government House to the Exhibition Buildings. The streets were lined with troops, those from New Zealand occupying the section bo-

tween King street and Swanston street. The precession consisted of two escorts. The captain's escort for the GovernorGeneral, -who preceded the Royal equipage. Shortly after 11 o'clock the Duke and Duchess, occupying a carriage expressly sent to Australia by the King, emerged from, the gates of Government House, and drove through the streets of the city amid cheers, to the Exhibition Building, -where the ceremony of opening the first Parliament of United Australia took place. It can scarcely be termed the most fitting place for such an important occasion. It lacks solidity and grandeur, which one associates -with a temple of law-makers. It" is more of the character of a house of cards, fragile in appearance. Yet for purposes of spectacular effect, and its ability to accommodate a huge audience, this is in its favour. To have opened Parliament in the State legislative chamber, which is set apart for the more serious labours of the Federal Parliament, would have been to rob the occasion of much of its glitter. No vast assemblage could have gathered there. It Is appropriate that the building which 20 years ago welcomed the young midshipman of the Bacchante, should now greet him as heir to the British Throne. What is "lacking "in stateliness is made up for in some measure by the beautiful decorations of the fabric Under the great dome is situated the-Royal dais.The dome" itself is a marvel of gradatedeolour. Looking upwards,"~the eye travelsfrom deep blue to golden "drab-tints, upward to delicate blue and gold shades. The whole colour scheme is without a jarring note. On -four pendant?, ives are beautifully painted figures of Mercury,- Venus, • Mars and Hercules, typical of beauty, love, war and strength: On the four spangles ever lie arches -supporting the dome are allegorical lunettes -representing federation, Government arts 'applied to peace, and arts applied to ";war. ' The figures of "aH the allegories rest on clouds through'which a star gleams in 'various phases' of morn, eve and noon. The treatment is all ac£ demic. Facing the dais, the north lunette of arts applied to peace, shows Minerva, with a lion, and war asleep at her. feet, while literature, painting, arts, husbandry and agriculture are grouped as' sylphs around her. Oyer the dais on the south

side Minerva rides a chariot - through storm clouds, flaring-forth with. her" "attendant stnazons to battle, and .picturing' thus arts' applied to war. Over- the 'eastern nave sits Government, between "figures of", law and order. Over the western nave figures of Britannia enthroned above a shield of the Union Jack. She welcomes the six Federated States as virgins surrounding iter with their ishields, which are blazoned ■with their several State'coats of arms. On the eight panels of the four piers are two coupled schemes. One is that of tiie seasons, spring, summer, autumn and ■winter. The other includes two Night and Morning and Justice and Truth. The half-draped figures by which these are respectively typified floating in mid air among finely balanced phases of cloud-, land, are very excellent works of real decorative art, beautiful alike in colour, drawing, plasticity and pose. The colour of the scheme is the main hall' is in strict harmony with the colouring of the dome. The roof runs up through transparent amber to a turquoise sky, supporting pillars in golden brown. The avenue from'". the southern! door through which the Boyal party approached the dais was carpeted ■with. Royal crimson bordered throughout by banks of Irving flowers and ferns, surmounted by a dado of Boyal blue velvet pleated with upright panels of crimson silk- The dado frieze is white enamel mouldings panelled with gold satin, and the fining of the wall is draped flat with vieux rose silk, adorned with the Boyal Ann« in a florid setting. The ample frieze above is of rich plum-coloured plush ■with- dainty festoons of real white roses •falling over it, like sculptured stone in architecture. The vestibule'doors are of dead white ivory enamel, "panelled with rose plush, little higher tone than the freize. On the dais the Boyal red of the carpet dispersed with gold and neutral green crimson fell and covered the low gallery which rises behind for'the 'seats of the State Governors 'and Boyal and ViceBegal suites. A large orchestra occupied the platform opposite, and to the left of the Boyal dais. Prior to" the advent of the Boyal party, the Clerk of Parliaments read the Proclamation, constituting Parliament, to members' of the Senate. A similar ceremony was performed in the House of Representatives, which occupied the aTmpTp Long prior to the commencement of these initial proceedings*, the great building was filled to its utmost capacity. 'A wonderful sight presented itself. Ris--shg in a gradual slope from the floor of the main hall opposite the Boyal dais, the northern transept was packed with people, including members of the families of the .various State legislators, officials with here and there a dash of colour in the shape of a military officer, Judges, Consuls, and church dignitaries of every sect Immediately under the sat' members of the Senate, with room for members of the House when tie time came for their presence being desired from the other House. On the dais to the left of the Boyal party were naval officers"andthe staff, who came out by the Ophir. On the.right sat the Lieutenant-Governors of the several States with their staffs and 'Admiral Beaumont and bis staff. Immediately behind these again were members of the press, representing the various States and New Zealand.

'M noon, Lord Hopetoun arrived, and a fere, minutes later a "fanfare from the Heralds at the southern entrance announced the arrival of the Duke and Duchess. As the group ascended to flis dais along the beautiful vestibule, the scene was magnificent. Rich effects were produced by tha .gorgeous uniforms, the high military 'and naval officers being the most'impressive. The Duke and Duchess advanced to tEe dais accompanied by' Lord and Lady Hopetonn, and the formal, proceedings then wmmenced.. '.'...'' ~. Received 6.45 p-nt* May Stfi.

The Usher of the Black Rod summoned 1 the Bepresentatrres to attend- the r Senate;.When they arrived after some delay, two \ Terses of the " Old Hundredth" vere sung, after -which Lord Hopefcoun read prayers on behalf of the King and the; Poke-and Duchess of Cornwall, the people of the Commonwealth, and the Federal : Psrba-< meni. He then recited the Lord'a Prayer and pronounced the Tha teaBon why it fell to Lord- Hopetcmn'rlot to carry out the religious ceremony was owing to the heads of the-leading denomi-~ nations failing to agree amongst themselves as to whom of their members- should perform the duty. the Governor-Genetai dected to conduct the service to avoid friction- After the leading of ti» letters patent by the Clerk of Parliaments, theDutTaddressed bbtfc Houses,- He said that it was tie desire of his beloved and deeply lamented grandmother to inatfertne importance of the opening of this first Parliament and mamfest her special mtertsfr! in all that concerned the*welfare of her loyal subjects in Australia by granting hnn a special Commission to open the first ses--Bion' That Commission had been duly signed before the sad event occurred which plunged the Empire into mourning, and the Kingr his dear father, fully sharing her late Majesty's wishes, decided to give effect to them, although his Majesty stated on the occasion of the opening of his first Parliament that separation from his son at such a time -would not be otherwise than deeply painful to him. His Majesty had ■feeix pleased to consent to this separation, moved by his sense of loyalty and devotion which prompted the generous aid afforded by all the colonies m the South African war, both in its earliest and most recent stages, and of the splendid bravery of the colonial troops. It m. ito his Majesty's wish to acknowledge the readiness Trith which the ships of the special •Australasian squadron had been placed at Ins disposal for service in China,-and toe valuable service rendered there by the Naval Contingents of the several colonies. His Majesty further desired in this way i« testify his heartfelt gratitude for the Tvarni sympathy extended by every part of his dominions to himself and his family in the irreparable loss which they had sustained by the death of his Wwed mother. His Majesty had watched with the deepest interest the social progresimade by his-people m Austa-aba. He had *** *****£* «a fceartSftlatisfaction the^completiori oi that iSmical union of which this Parliament Stfaembodiment: -==StoEyrwfsatisfied that the which .' HA characterised tbawercise of «» wide

powers of self-government hitherto enjoyed by the colonies, would continue to be displayed in the exercise of the still wider powers with which United Australia had been endowed. His Majesty felt assured that the enjoyment of those powers would if possible enhance that loyalty and devotion to the Throne and Empire, of which the people of Australia had already given such signal proofs. It was his Majesty's earnest prayer that the union so happily achieved might, under God's blessing, prove an instrument for still further promoting the welfare and advancement of his subjects in Australia, and for strengthening his Empire. " Gentlemen of the Senate and House," concluded the Duke, "It affords me much pleasure to convey to you this message from, the King. I now, in his name and on his behalf, declare Parliament open."

Received 9.5 p.m., May 9th. The Governor-General informed the members of the Senate and the House that the Duke desired him to acquaint them that so soon as the President and Speaker were elected" he (Lord Hopetoun) would declare to 'them .'the causes of Parliament being called. /. The following cablegram was received "from His Majesty the King:—"My thoughts are.with you on the day of your important "ceremony. Most fervently do I wish -Australia prosperity and happiness."

■..„. The members of the Federal Parliament .were then' sworn in by the GovernorGeneral. The orchestra played the "Hallelujah" chorus, tie National Anthem, " Rule Britannia," the great audience joining in the •chorus, of the latter -with inspiriting effect.

The Royalties withdrew amidst a fanfare of trumpets. The battery of artiHery stationed in Gar] ton gardens fired a.'Royal salute when Parliament was declared open.

*rhe" Duke was dressed' in an Admiral's uniform, and the Duchess -wore black, -with the white sash of the Royal Victoria Order. >

""■• In the;afternoon the first sitting of the Federal Parliament was held at the State Parliamentary buildings. Sir J. Holder was elected Speaker unopposed. A contest took place for the Presidency of the Senate, with the following result: —Sir E. Baker 21, Sir F. Sargood 12, Sir W. Zeal three votes.

Both Houses adjourned till to-morrow for the Governor's speech. Received 12.27 a.m., May 10th.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony,, His Excellency the Duke of Cornwall and York replied as follows to His Majesty the King's cablegram:—"l have just read your'message to the first Commonwealth Parliament, which I have just opened, and also read your kindly-worded telegram which was received with immense enthusiasm by your loving subjects' in Australia. The opening of Parliament was a splendid and complete success. Twelve thousand people filled the great halL"

BRISBANE, May 9. The preparations for the Boyal visit are well in hand. Venetian masts have been erected along the route, and the other decorations, which will be on an elaborate scale, are being pushed} forward. Received 10.54 p.m., May 9th. LONDON, May 9. The "Times" says that the opening of ■the Federal.Parliament is one of the chief constitutional incidents in history, and that the development of the Commonwealth will be watched with pride and hope. The paper adds that autonomy and Imperialism in partnership are compatible and mutually helpful. ]

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 9. It is probable that the Boyal party will visit Southland, travelling by rail from Dunedin, and making the Bluff the port of final departure. There has been a serious difference of opinion between the Government and-the Citzens' Committee as to where the reception of the Boyal party shall take place. The committee proposed a space opposite tie Post Office, and the Government held out for a space at Jervois Quay rotunda. At- a meeting of the committee this morning, a plan submitted by. the Minister of Public Works in regard to the latter site was considered impracticable, and it was, therefore, decided to insist upon receiving the Boyal party as they leave the wharf, and that the Corporation address be presented after the arrival of the procession at Government House.