OPENING OF THE MELBOURNE TOWN HALL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2276, 23 August 1870, Page 2

OPENING OF THE MELBOURNE TOWN HALL.

This event, to which the citizens of Melbourne, anti even citizens of the capitals of the other of the Australian Colonies, have been looking forward with such interest, took place on the 10th inst., and the opening ceremonials were witnessed by the elite of , the Colony, in a throng which did ample honor to the build'ng, to the Mayor, and to the splendid entertainment which he fur* nished. The number present at the concert is set down at between 3500 to 4000. “Among the notables, were Viscount Canterbury, Lady Canterbury, and suite ; Major General Chute and Lady Chute; the members of the Ministry, &c. The Mayor was in his furred robe of office, and after the presentation wore round his neck the great gold chain given him by the citizens. On the arrival of the Governor, the City Coitucil presented him with an address, in which were set forth the facts concerning the erection of the building. It may be here stated that its total cost was L 100,000; that it took two years and three months to build; that it is the largest building of the kind in the Colonies ; iis tower is 140 feet in height, and the dc. mansions of its great hall are 175 feet long, 75 feet wide, and-C5 feet high, with gallaries round three sides. After the reading of the address, came the presentation to thl Mayor of the '• citizen's' gift, a gold collar, which coat L 350, and contains 28 ozs. of, pure gold, 1 and L 72 worth of brilliants. The chain Is composed of thirty-five links, bearing medallions representing the town hall, the • civic arms, and S.A.—the initials of the Mayor-in npnogramr the centre link is an oval pendant, about five > inches long, witl) a border, representing a wreath of laurel leaves, secured by foujfbands set in diamonds, while {immediately within this is a scroll of dark blue enamel, bearing in gold letters tbe mbttouVift recto dews,': 1

Inside this is a magnificent star, comprised of diamonds of the first water, the centre of the star being a rose in full bloom (the Mayor’s crest), the flower and loaves being enamelled in colors. At the back of the pendant a suitable inscription is engrave 1. Next followed the rendering of Mr Horsley s “ Cantata Euterpe,” which the Melbourne journals with one accord describe as being in every respect equal to the occasion. The principal solos were rendered by the members of the Opera Company, and the band and choruses, which were the best Melbourne could produce, did ample justice to the music. It appears that everyone —professionals, amateurs, and nonamateurs —was delighted with the music with which the first day’s festivities concluded.