IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3257, 13 May 1893, Page 2

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

(BY KLEOTRIO TKI.KGIIAVII—COPYHIOIIT.) London, May 10. tg Imperial Instituto was opened toty. The weather was glorious, and lormous crowds lined tho entire route om the Mice to the Institute, which as guarded by the military. Fifty thousand people assembled ■ithin the buildings and picciucts. 11 the leading Australians were profit. The spectacle was a magniliont one. The members of tho colonial miliary teams who were acting as an scort to Her Majesty wore loudly hnered. The Royal Princes had a separate scort for their procession from their esidences to the dais. The civic dignitaries of tho chief lilies and tho judges inarched in prosession. Excellent arrangements woro made, ind the services of fivo thousand police constables were engaged in regulating locomotion in the streets. Tho procession numbered 200,000. Immense enthusiasm was shown, and the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, Princess May, tho Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Roberts, aud the Hon. A. J. Balfour all met with great receptions, Over thirty royalties were present. The spectacle in the great hall of the building was a magnificent one. The Prince of Wiles, as President of the Institute, received the various processions, which were headed by princess, members of tha House of Lords and the House of Commons, miiyors, judges, and civic officials. Ilcr Majesty was at the head of tho last procession. All the British royalties wore present at tho ceremony, and the Canadian Artillery, a portion of the Australian Artillery team, and the native Indians acted as their escorts, Four Indian Princes were present, attired in striking costumes, as were their suitps. The majority of those in clcsc proximity to the dais >vers dressed in uniform or court dress, while the large assemblage of ladies were dressed in the height of fashion. The foreign Ambassadors, Ministern of State, and colonial Agents-General were present in nnmbers.

The Lord Chief Justice of England headed the Judges' procession, The Royal carriages with heralds preceded tlio Royal procession, tiio National Antlieiu being played by the ban<*. The Queen, who took her scat on Prince Ramjcet Sing's golden throne, turned the luy and set the bolls in tho towor ringing. This was the signal for the firing of guns in the Park, and there was immense enthusiasm displayei by the crowd, Cheer after chenr rent the air. Madame Albani sang tho National Anthem, and the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the benediction. The Royal procession retired after the opening ceremony to llw march from Meyerbeer's "Le Prophete." At the opening ceremony the Queen said that tho establishment of the Institute was a symbol of the unity of tho Empire, and would bo the means of effecting a closer bond with the colonics. A medal to commemorate the open* ing of the Imperial Institute has been struck. It is to be made of Victorian gold. The membersof the Colonial Artillery and Cavalry teams at present in England were informed during the night that the Queen had commanded an inspection at 10.30 next morning. Much difficulty was experience! in

complying with the order. The Dulte of Coimauglit and many Court officials were present. The officers were introduced to Her Majesty, who expressed delight nt the visit of the teams to England. She then walked up and down the ranks closely inspecting each man. During the inspection Her Majesty constantly repeated her pleasure at seeing the splendid physique, fiue appearance, and handsome uniforms of the men. The teams were then paraded 111 a series of marching orders, and photographed at the request of the Queen. The Times commenting on the open* iug of the Imperial Institute says that the striking display afforded by the serempnial shows that no section of politicians can afford to be indifferent 1 to their duty to maintain the unity of i thG Empire.