FRANCO-BRITISH EXHIBITION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13596, 16 May 1908, Page 5

FRANCO-BRITISH EXHIBITION.

THE OPENING CEREMONIES

MARRED BY RAIN

Press Ansnciation-I'.v Telegraph-Copyright Received 10.40 p.m., May 15ili. LONDON, May 15.

The general incompleteness »i the Franco-British Exhibition and pouring rain marred the brilliancy of the formal opening ceremony. Nothing was quite ready, and ;i great deal was not leady at all, especially the exhibits. The Prince and Princess of Wales, in an open carriage, met wiutr an enthusiastic reception from Kensington to Shepherd's Bush. The city - was extensively decorated, the Union Jack and the Tricolour were conspicuous. The Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Lord Derby, Earl and Lady Dudley, the French Minister of Commerce,, the French Minister of Agriculture, M. Cambon, Lord Strathcona, the Hon. W. P. Reeves, Lord and Lady Jersey, Sir Carruthere, Mr Price and others received rue Royal party at the entrance, and walked in procession to the Court of Honour, where, after the National Anthem and Marsellaise had been sung, the Prince of Wales . declared the Exhibition open in the presence of 30,000 persons. Madame . Albani sang the National Anthem, the choir and orchestra rendering the Duke .of Argyll's Welcome •Song, which had.,,been set to music by Sir Charles '-Stanford. .','■■ Tlia Duke of ; Argyll .delivered an. ad dries, thai]king, the Prince of Wales for piesidirig, arid, thus expressing Royal approval of, co-operation in peaceful industries in Britain and France. The Referred to the generous effort of " Our kindred '. people from overseas. ~" The Prince of/Wales, amid loud applause, said that he arid ihb Princess were especially glad to assist at the inauguration of the Exhibition, whicli was the outcome of 'the generous co-opeaation of the great French nation, with which Britain was connected in 'close friendly relations. His Royal. Highness expressed .his gratitude for the -French. " Governments hearty and liberal support, and warmly welcomed their, representatives. . He....rejoiced at the movement being so keenly and generously pi omoted-by oversea dodinions,. arid .congratulated .all, who were responsible for so marvellous and beautiful a creation. He hoped later on to inspect the exhibits, and trusted that ;v t.he i Exhibition would encourage, healthy .rivalry, stimulate, interchange and knowledge .of ideas, strengthen the brotlierhbpd of nations, and promote peace and. civilisation. The drenching rain spoiled the additional ceienJdnies inVthei-Stadiuin, where 2000 male and" female athletes and polytechnic students had iriaugiii-ated.. ,*spbjts and ij. prograninte of fireworks, which were abandoned. : '. .. ■ '• A total of 130,000 persons, attended during the day, and the.-consensus ; of, opinion was that the Exhibition buildings would look dazzling in fine weather.. The present unfinished gardens promise, to be. a remarkable Jfealure. . The Canadian and Indian buildings are ready, and will probably be open ..tint? week- Tire Australian palace is "rather ; less advanced. Queen Alexandra arid Prfricess Victoria .spent several hours at.the Franco Exhibition. M. Yves".G'tiyo.t, in. a. letter to the "Times," urges that the Exhibition should be opened on Sundays; otherwise thousands of Frenchnrai will '.be.', unable to visit it. The English' Sabbatarians are opposing the opening.