Opening of the Wellington Exhibition

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 23, 4 August 1885, Page 3

Opening of the Wellington Exhibition

(PEE FNITED PEEBS ASSOCIATION.) The inauguration of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition was effected on Saturday List, at half -past 2 o'clock, before an immense assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, including Cabinet Ministers and Government officials. The weather was aE that could be desired. At 2 o'clock the stream of people which passed between the turn-stiles was continuous. The Wellington Guards and Naval Artillery were called out to form a guard of honour, and the D Battery fired a sulate, while the Heretaunga Light Horse did good service in keeping the entrance to the Exhibition from being over-crowded. Immediately the doors were opened a scene of considerable confusion ensued. The officials at once appeared as if they had lost all power to preserve order. A small body of police was on the ground, under the command of Inspectors Shannon and Goodall, and tbey did their best to keep things right. The ladies (more especially those who had given their services towards contributing to the musical portion of the programme) were indeed to be pitied. Their elaborate toilets were ruthlessly crushed, and in many instances their dresses were nearly torn from their backs, and how it was that some casualty did not occur seems marvellous. By 2 o'clock, although the building was by no means crowded to excess, the gates were ordered to be closed, and all further admission was refused. Within the space of a few minutes a large assemblage of men, ladies, and children, were gathered round the gates clamouring for admittance. In the crowd were to be seen Ministers of the Crown, members of Parliament, and Consuls, all vainly endeavoring to obtain admission. The court was fearfully crowded, and at about 2.15 the Minister of Public Works, accompanied by LieutenantColonel Pearce and Lady Vogel, induced Mr Callis to open the gates, and then a general rush ensued. His Excellency the Governor, who wore the uniform ©f a major-general of the army and the insignia of a Knight of the Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George, was accompanied by Lady Jervois, and attended by Major Eccles, Aip.C, and Mr Pennefather, private secretary. His Excellency, Lady Jervois, and suite on alighting were met by his Worship the Mayor and the chairman of the Ceremonial Committee, and were conducted, or rather had to elbow their way through the throng in the main avenue to the ceremonial hall, where a dais had been prepared for them immediately in front of the orchestra. The arrangements for the reception of the gubernatorial party were anything but satisfactory. The ceremonial hall was densely packed, while the hall itself must have contained fully 2000 people. Shortly before the hour of opening, the police, under Messrs Shearman and Goodall, made efforts to "clear the gangway," but their efforts failed. Everyone, of course, struggled to obtain some coign of vantage, and spectators from the upper end of the hall could see a living, writhing, mass of humanity. As has been mentioned, the Governor had to squeeze his way to the dais as best he might. Upon the Governor entering the main building Mr .Robert Parker, who was associated with Mr H. West in carrying out" the musical arrangements took up a position in front of the organ and had a full view of the orchestra and choir, and under his direction the orchestra, which consisted of about 30 instrumentalists, including some of the best amateur talent in Wellington, played a few bars of the National Anthem in a manner which was anything but creditable. As his Excellency and suite advanced the entire assemblage rose and Mrs Greenwood sang the first verse of the National Anthem, the orchestra accompanying. The second verse was rendered by the following quartette: — Mrs Webb, alto; Mr W. Widdop, bass; Mr J. Plimmer, tenor; and Mrs W. F. Parsons, soprano ; Mr West accompanying on the organ. - It may here be mentioned that the choir was composed of 200 voices. The ladies of the choir were dressed in cream-coloured dresses, with cardinal and pale blue sashes, and the effect was excellent. The orchestra played Wagner's march, "Hail Bright Abode," and another chorus from Handel's work, "How Excellent is Thy Name." The orchestra also played well, and altogether the musical arrangements were carried out in a manner which reflected the greatest credit on those concerned.