OPENING OF THE MELBOURNE

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2062, 2 October 1880, Page 3

OPENING OF THE MELBOURNE

EXHIBITION. [BY SUBMARINE CABLE,} [bbtitbb’b telegram.} MELBOURNE, October 1. The International Exhibition in Carlton Gardens was opened to-day with great cere, mony. The day was proclaimed a public holiday in honor of the event, and it was strictly observed as such, all places of business being closed. The weather was fine, but somewhat cloudy and windy. At an early hour the various associations and trade societies, numbering several thousands, formed in procession and traversed Russell, Bourke, Spring, Flinders, Elizabeth, and Collins streets, the head halting at the Bourke and Wills Monument. The fire brigades assembled in Flinders street, and there awaited the Vice-Regal party, which left Government House at twenty minutes past ton, under a Vice Regal salute. The party comprised his Excellency the Governor the Marquis of Normanby and the Marchioness of Normanby, the Dube of Manchester, Lord Augustus and Lady Laftu*, Sir W. and Lady Jervois, and the Misses Jervois, Sir W. Robinson (Governor of Western Australia) and Lady Robinson, Sir Francis Smith (Acting-Governor of Tasmania) and Lady Smith, and Commodore Wilson and their respective suites. The cortege consisted in all of twelve well appointed carriages. The military and naval forces, consisting of 600 British and 300 foreign blue jackets, and the provincial and metropolitan Volunteers had previously assembled, the former taking a- position at the south face of the exhibition, and the latter preceding the party from Government House and forming in Rathbone and Nicholson streets. The trade societies formed in double line at the intersection of Collins and Elizabeth streets, the carriages passing through the line and the trades then following the procession. The streets were lined with thousands of the public, and great enthusiasm was displayed. On the approach of the procession to the building the bands of the societies played the National Anthem, and when the procession had entered the grounds it took up a position ia the main avenue. The vice regal party entered the south door at eleven o’clock. The president of the Commission, the Imperial Commissioners, the Ministers, the vice-presidents and members of the Executive Commission received the party, and conducted them to a handsome dais erected under the central dome. The National Anthem was then sung by a quartette and chorus, and with organ accompanimentThree cheers were given for the Queen and Prince of Wales and for the Governor and Lady Normanby, and the party then took their seats. On the dais wore a number of distinguished visitors, the various foreign consuls-general, consuls, and vice-consuls, ministers, members of both Houses of Parliament, the Bishop of Melbourne, the judges, 1 and other public functionaries. A special inaugural cantata, composed by M. Caron, was then performed. It lasted an hour, and was a great success. There were 1000 performers, the principal being the Simonsons, i Mrs Cutter, Messrs Beaumont and Verdi. The chorus was excellent. The ladies wore white dresses with blue sashes on the right and red sashes on the left side of the orchestra. At the conclusion of the cantata there was immense applause, the Governor leading. M. Caron, the composer and leader of the ' orchestra, was then presented to his Excellency and congratulated. The cantata finished, the president, the Hon. W. J. Clarke, and the vice-presidents of the Commission then ascended the dais, and ( the former read an address to the Governor. It detailed the history of the formation of the Exhibition, and said that, in response to their invitations, they had received large representations from Great Britain, foreign countries, and the colonies, and concluded by acknowledging their valuable assistance and cooperation. Lord Normanby, in reply, said that the undertaking was creditable to the Victorian Commissioners, to tne Executive, and to the Parliament. Any fears of imperfect responses to the invitations of the Commission to foreign countries were soon dispelled. The display of industry and art in the building was one that any country might be proud of, and the foresight, energy, and ability with which the details had been carried out reflected the highest credit on the community. The Imperial Government had promptly 00-oporated, also foreign countries, and the colonies, and it was now an assured fact that the present exhibition would rank equal to its predecessors as a satisfactory exponent of the world’s industries. It was his pleasing duty to convey to the Governments of foreign countries and the colonies his feeling of the obligation and satisfaction which the opening address of the Commissioners expressed. His concluded by declaring the Exhibition opened in the name of Her Majesty the Queen. The Union Jack was then hoisted above the building, and salutes were simultaneously fired by the men-of-war in the harbor and the batteries on shore. The “ Hallelujah Chorus ” was then sung by the choir, the machinery set in motion, and the fountains commenced to play. After the chorus was sung the Vice-regal party left the dais and proceeded to the various courts, where the representative Oommissionere were presented to his Excellency the Governor. Meanwhile the French, German, Austrian, Italian, Prussian, American, and Belgian National Anthems were played by the orchestra, and at their conclusion the march from “The Prophet” was performed. The vice-regal party, on reaching the New Zealand court, were received by the Commissioners (Dr. Hector and Mr Blackwood), and the secretary (Mr Oallis). Dr. Hector presented Lord Normanby with a handsomely bound copy of the catalogue of the New Zealand exhibits, which was published to-day, and with a copy of the handbook containing information regarding the products, progress and statistics of the colony. Although this was his Excellency's first official visit, it was not the first time he had visited the Court, for he had done so on several occasions, and has shown that he still retains a lively interest in the doings of the colony. The Court presents a pleasing and attractive appearance, although several details are still imperfect. The entries comprise 631 exhibits, which is greater than at the Sydney Exhibition, while the space allotted there to New Zealand was onehalf more than at Melbourne, where there are only 8000 feet. The Commissioners therefore have had considerable trouble to find space for all the exhibits, but have happily surmounted the difficulties, and notwithstanding that the Court is crowded, every exhibit is displayed to the best advantage. The following is an abstract of the classifications of the exhibits : Art, 74 ; education apparatus, processes and the liberal arts, 93; furniture, 62 3 textile, 32 ; raw manufactures, 77; machinery processes, mechanical industries, 63; alimentary, 134; horticultural, 31 ; mining, 21. On the return of the Vice-regal party to the dais, the Governor despatched a telegram to the Queen, announcing the opening of the Exhibition in her name. On departing, his Excellency inspected the procession of the trades and other bodies, and then the united bands played the National Anthem, and another salute was fired on the departure of the Vice regal party from the Exhibition grounds. The whole proceedings i passed off with immense eclat. There was a . very large attendance of the public, and the scene at the opening ceremony was most brili liant and impressive. Most of the courts are : in a forward state, although many are still I incomplete. The display promises to be most excellent, especially in the exhibits of the Fine , Arts. Amongst the distinguished visitors from r other colonies are—Sir John Hay, President i of the New South Wales Legislative Council, , Sir Wigram Allen, Speaker of the Assembly, • and many others. The proposed picnic by the > British exhibitors fell through, as many of the • leading representatives of English houses dis- ■ countenanced the idea. The various English i and foreign men-of war now in harbor will be illuminated to-night.