MELBOURNE EXHIBITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1908, 2 August 1888, Page 2

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION

(PER PRESI AS OCIATION)

Melbourne. August 1.

At half-past eleven the Commissioners and members of the Committee assembled at the northern entrance of the Exhibition- building where a guard of honor was stationed. The main corridor of the building, known as the Avenue of Nations, was lined with troops, and the Grand Hall with seamen. The Governor arrived at noon and was received with a general salute, atter which he and his e7itonrage, which included the Governors of all the Australasian colonies, were conducted along the Avenue of Nations m the following order": — Marshal of Ceremonies, Colonel Button, Deputy Marshall, Queen's Colors, Victorian Colors, Imperial, naral and military officers, officers of foreign, warships, commandants of the colonial forces, mombers of the Ceremonial Committee, members of ministries from neighboring colonies, Chief Justice and Speakers of Parliament, Admiral and staff. Governors of the colonies, Commissioners of foreign countries and consuls.

Passing the various Courts the bands fltationed m the annexes played " The Star Spangled Banner," "Ich Bin ein Prussie," Haydn's "Austrian Hymn," "The Marseillais " and th'« " fled White and Blue." As the head of the procession reached the Grand Hall the organ and orchestra, conducted by Mr Cowen, played the « National Anthem." The Governors of the various colonies and the principal visitors ascended the dais erected for the occasion, the remainder Occupying the platform behind. The president, Sir James Mcßain, theu offered prayer for the success of the Exhibition and the " Old Hundredth " was sung, followed by a song of thanksgiving specially composed by Mr Cowen* The President ascended the dais and read the following address :•— . : " Sir Henry Loch, the Commissioners of this colony desire to accord you the heartiest welcome and convey to you an assurance of devoted loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen and Crown as represented m your person. In response to ft general feeling that the centennary of Australia should not be allowed to pasß uncommemorated Victoria incurred the responsibility of proposing to Parliament the holding of an exhibition of art and industry. In undertaking this important work the Government and people of Victoria felt that an" opportunity should be afforded to all the colonies to combine for the . purpose of showing honor to the Mother Colony of New South Wales, to demonstrate the progress of art and industry, to foster the sentiment of Australasian federation, and generally, to exhibit the varied resources of a great country." After referring to the work of the Eoyal Commission, Sir Jas. Mcßrain, proceeded to remark that the fact that the Prince of Wales has been elected President of the British Commission was further evidence of the interest taken by His Eoyal Highness m the colonies. On behalf of the Commission he desired to thank Lord Knutsford "for his good offices m assisting, tihem. To Lord Rosebery, also, their thanks were due for his untiring exertions on their behalf. They also desired to thank the representatives from all parts of the world who to-day were present to assist m the opening celebration. As the various countries agreed to send exhibits, it became apparent that the space which was at first considered sufficient would be totally inadequate. It/therefore, become necessary to extend the area of annexes by about twenty-six and a half acres, making a total area of thirty- five acres, as against ah area of twenty acres occupied by the Exhibition of 1880. In addition to the countries officially represented, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Holland, India, China, Japan, Fiji, New Guinea, and many others had shown their interest m the undertaking by sending exhibits, and the-Commis-sion fairly claim that the magnitude and value of the exhibits far surpass anything heretofore displayed m the Southern Hemisphere. He desired to thank the Government for the liberality with which the necessary funds had been provided, and also the Governments of the various colonies exhibiting. On behalf of the Commissioners he thanked His Excellency the Governor for the honor to them m consenting to open the Exhibition, and .he begged to hand him a copy of the official logue, the diversity of which would enable him to form an idea of the magnitude of the undertaking. In conclusion Sir James Mcßain expressed a fervent hope that the inspection of the products of the world's thought and labor would, under the blessing of Providence, educate the people and stimulate them to greater enterprise m the future and enhance the prosperity and happiness of all. It only remained for him, m the name of his fellow Commissioners to request that his Excellency would be pleased to declare the Melbourne Exhibition of 1888 open, m the name of Her Gracious Majesty, whon? God preserve. On concluding the reading of the address, Sir James Mcßain presented his Excellency with a gold key, made by Chubb, of the main entrance of the Exhibition building.

His Excellency Sir H. B. Loch said it would be a most pleasing duty for him to convey to her. Majesty the* Queen the assurance of their devoted loyalty, and he had to thank them for the welcome accorded to him as her Majesty's representative. The feeling entertained at the centenary marked a worthy occasion, and had found expression at the great gathering at the celebration of the centenary m Sydney, He felt doubtful whether a future generation would show the same record of progress as that of the first centennial. The building covered a larger area under one roof and floor than any other building erected m the world „ The site of the present Exhibition was Melbourne, the metropolis of Victoiia, m which all the colonies take equal pride, and was purely Australian m inception and character. They should gracefully recognise the generosity of her Majesty and other owners who risked their valuable pictures m order to enable those m the colonies who are to a certain extent shut out from museums and art galleries m Europe, to study some of the most beautiful specimens of art produced m the old world, and to enjoy viewing a collection of art which alone marks the Exhibition as unique m the annals of similar undertakings. Thanks were also due to the sister colonies, fas

Mother Country, and foreign countries for their cordial response to send exhibits, showing the advance made In ' manufactures and industries. He referred to the successful efforts of the Commissioners to provide music unequalled m any previous gathering m Australia, and under a leader of such great talent. He was confident that great beneficial results would be derived by the people of these young and energetic colonies by careful study of the great works of art and industries of the world, be they connected with the highest branch of art or science or engaged m practical inventions. The, results of study had directed the dis | covery of erer- improving methods, and the application of chemistry and improTements m machinery were leading to developments for the benefit of mankind. The largest crowd ever seen m this city assembled shortly before noon to witness the procession at the opening ceremony of the Exhibition. The weather was fine hut a cold wind was blowing, with a threatening sky. From six to eight thousand spectators were seated m the Grand Hall when the Vice-Regal party were admitted by the northern entrance, and the interior presented a most brilliant spectacle. As patrons of the Exhibition the Governors walked to the dais erected for them. As the Governors ascended the dais several persons tried to get np a cheer, bat there was no response, this not being part of the programme, and the abortive effort of these excited people created much laughter. A full choir and orchestra then performed the " National ' Anthem," the music having a very grand effect m the great Hall. Bis Excellency the Governor's speech, m reply to the address of the President, was not finished till seventeen minutes past one. The arrangements at the opening ceremony were perfect, every part of the programme being carried out without hitch and no accident of any kind marred the proceedings. It goes without saving that the entire route of pro- < cession, m fact all parts of the city were 1 brilliantly decorated m honor of the i occasion. ]

Owing to some disagreement between the Executive Commissioner and the local press all information was denied to the latter till Thursday, an exception being made m favor of the New Zealand Presß Association, to whom, thanks to the good offices of. Colonel Sargood, one of the vice Presidents, and His Excellency's prirate r-ecretary, every facility tvas afforded to enable a full report of the speeches to be sent to New Zealand at the earliest moment.

The weather continued fine till after the opening ceremony, but drizzling rain iell m the afternoon.

His Excellency gives a dinner at Government House to-night.