FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1127, 15 May 1911, Page 5

FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE.

BRILLIANT OPENING.

VISITED BY THE KING-

NEARLY 150,000 SPECTATORS.

THE DOMINION'S RECEPTION

By Telesraph-Press Associati-on-Copyrieht

London, May 12. The Festival of Empire was opened in fine weather and with a wealth of display.

The King and Queen, the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary of Wales, drove to the Crystal Palace, where the Festival is being held. One hundred thousand school children and Boy Scouts lined tho route. Their Majesties, who were given an enthusiastic reception, stopped to listen to 20,000 children at Scuthwark sing the National Anthem. The Eoyal party pasted under many triumphal arches, and several Mayors and borough councils presented addiesses.

The Duke aud Duchess of Fife, the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, and the Duke and Duchess of Teck joined the King and Queen's party at the Palace, where the Earl of Plymouth, head of the Executive of the Festival of Empire, received the distinguished visitors.

A concert followed. Miss Clnra Butt was one of the soloists. A choir of 4500 voices, under the direction of Dr. Harriss, sang patriotic songs, including Kipling's "Recessional."

The Royal party afterwards reviewed the pageant performers. A number of Australians and New Zealanders appeared in costume—Miss Ward as a Maori princess, and Miss Rubi Scddou and Mrs. Hislop in Maori dress.

Their Majesties then inspected the model of tho Imperial Parliament Houses, and did the "All Red tour" in the course of which they saw Canada's .£70,000 exhibit, and the "Fair of Fashion."

Later the King and Queen attended tho Dominion's reception, at which thero were 3000 persons present, including Sir Joseph Ward, Lady Ward, and Miss Ward, Sir George and Lady R«id, Sir William Hall-Jones, and Lady HallJones, the Agents-Geceral and their wives, Lord Roberts, foreign Ambassadors, several Cabinet Ministers, and many members of the House of Commons.

The Sovereigns, after the concert at Crystal Palace, invited Sir Joseph and Lady Ward to tea. King George expressed to Sir Joseph Ward his appreciation of Now Zealand's wreath recently placed by Sir Joseph and Lady Ward on King Edward's tomb at Windsor. (Rec. May 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 13. The attendance at the Festival of Empire yesterday was 111,234.