The Commonwealth.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 3, 4 January 1901, Page 2

The Commonwealth.

A PRESENTATION,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydnej’, January 2. Yesterday tho members of the City Council officially visited Government House and presented Lord Hopetoun with a magnificent casket, elaborately worked iD gold and silver, the casket being mounted on a stand of Australian polished blackwood. An address of welcome was also presented. Tho presentation was made by tho Mayor, who added warm words of welcome. In replying Lord Hopetoun said he had boon touched with the cordiality of his reception, both on landing and at tho ceremony of swearing in. Porth, Jan. 3. This city celebrated the Commonwealth with extensive decorations and illuminations. The chief ceremony was the swearing in of the Administrator of the Government and Ministers.

Sydney, January 3. Thero is a tremendous concourse of people in the Centennial Park to witness the great military review of Imperial, Indian, Federal, and New Zealand troops. At the saluting baso the GovernorGeneral viewed a Magnificent march past of 10,000 men.

GREAT MILITARY FUNCTION.

AN IMPOSING SPECTACLE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, yesterday. To-day was almost generally observed as a holiday. It is beautiful weather, the heat being tempered by a fine breeze. The pressure on tho leading liostelries is now relaxing. To-day was the great military fixture, and from an early hour every kind of conveyance was requisitioned to carry the populace to Centennial Park. The trams wore crowded, aud buses obtained high faros, while nothing short of gold could induce a cab to take passengers to the field of action, where the army of tho Ernpiro displayed itself in all its glory. At the saluting base wero gathered tho fashionables of Sydney society and distinguished guests. Messrs Seddon and Carroll occupied seats amongst others on tho special platform. The troops lined up, tho first lino of infantry in a lino of a quarter column, while the second lino consisted of engineers and departmental, the third line the mountedbrigado and field artillery. Other branches of tho service, such as naval forces, garrison artillery, army service corps, medical staff corps, as infantry. Regimental bands brought up tho roar of the respective regimonts. Lord Hopetoun received a great ovation on reaching tho parade ground. Ho was received by a general salute, and then proceeded down the cavalry line from the right and up the infantry line from tho left, tho bands playing a slow march. The mounted brigade moved to tbo saluting base during tho inspection of the infantry. Lord. Hopetoun was mounted, and was attired in general’s undress ' uniform, being accompanied by two aides. As soon as tho Governor had finishod the inspection, he returned to the saluting point, and the march past was commenced. The Royal Horse Artillery came first, followed by the Life Guards, and was an imposing spectacle, the sunlight glancing on tho brilliant uniforms, and tho Imperials’ shining accoutrements made up tho dazzling scene. Tho cavalry passed in dashing style, but the Indian cavalry displayed a finer control over their horses, and their three solid columns moved like clockwork. The men sat their horA*-, like statues of bronze, and received a magnificent reception, and probably raised greater enthusiasm than any other force. The marching of tho. Imperials was something to bo remembered, tho Grenadiers and Rifle Brigade dividing honors in this respect. Tho colonial forces have not yet reached the English standard in this respect; there is not the same clockwork precision. The marines from the navy, together with the sailors, marched splendidly, arousing tho enthusiasm of 150,000 spectators.

The Queensland and Tasmanian contingents, the latter being led by the redoubtable Major Cameron, of South African fame, raised enthusiasm to a high pitch, and a similar effocfc was produced as the New Zealanders marched past. The New South Wales Lancers made a brave show, and while not having the stateliness of the English cavalry they display the abandon '

individually which marked their comrades on the African veldt.

The actual number of troops on parade was 9679, and the march took an hour to pass the Governor.

BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS. DISPLAY BY 10,000 CHILDREN. FREETRADE ENTHUSIASM.. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, last night. The* streets were crowded with visitors and general sightseers all day long. Variety was lent to the decorations by changes in the colors of the decorations, wrought oyer night. To-day Martin Place, in front of the Post Office, is festooned with green paper streamers, which, in the genial breeze, swell like the sea, promising a beautiful effect when the electric lights are turned on to-night. All day long the military bands were playing from the band stands erected every few hundred yards apart in the streets.

A beautiful sight was a great display at the cricket ground by children of the public schools. Upwards of ten thousand children took part, in the presence of thirty thousand persons. The children were dressed in white, each school being distinguished by a particular colored ribbon or tie. The girls performed a pretty flag march, describing circles, triangles, and other geometrical figures, witft

excellent precision. The hoys delayed ability in dumb-bell and singlestick exercises. The Governor-General visited the ground during the afternoon, the children cheering and singing. A commercial demonstration took tho shape of a luncheon to commemorate tho Commonwealth inauguration and welcome Lord Hopetoun. Over a thousand guests were present. _ The Governor did not appear, apologising for his absence on the ground of being tired after the military function of the morning. Mr Barton, tho Federal Premier, received a good reception, but that accorded Mr Reid overshadowed all. For fully live minutes peal on peal of clieors rang out, showing that tho loader of freetraders was amongst I”s own in tho commercial community. Mr Kingston, who made his first speech as Federal Minister of Xrado and Customs, made an appeal for tho burial of Stato jealousies, and said that he would endeavor, in his important department, to administer in tho best interests of tho nation. A toast to tho memory of the late Sir Henry Parkes was drunk in solemn silonco. To-night thero is plenty of amusement in tho shape of fireworks, a concert, cycling] carnival, and command night at tho theatres. Tho Union Steamship Company placed tho fino steamer Mokoia at tho Right lion. R. J. Soddon's disposal to view tho fireworks. To-morrow night a large fasirionablo audionco has boon invited, including the Now Zoaland contingonts. Captain Fdic, of tho Navigation Company, has placed a stoanior at tho disposal of tho Maori cliiofs during tlioir stay, to viow tho harbor.