CLOSE OF THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 68, 24 January 1877, Page 2

CLOSE OF THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

Tue American Centennial Exhibition, says the Pall Mall Gazette, was formally closed by Paesident Grant, on Not. 10. The closing ceremonies began on the 9th, with a banquet giren by the Centennial authorities to the Foreign Ministers. President, Grant, the Cabinet Ministers, and the diplomatic body all attended. At the banquet each nation was called upon to respond to the toast of " The French Commissioners." Sir Edward Thornton made an appropriate address for England, and was received with great warmth. In the address he read a telegram sent to him from London that day, stating that — " The Lord President requests you to offer in his name to the American authorities hearty congratulation on the sue* cessful result of their great labors, with best thanks for the attention paid to all his Grace's wishes in business matters, and for the cordial reception given to the British staff." Sir Edward also read a letter from the Duke of Richmond to Colonel Stanford, dated Balmored Castle, stating that the Queen entirely approved the proposed disposal of St. George's House, which her Majesty considers an excellent idea. The Queen was very glad the house would remain in Philadelphia as a memorial of the part which Great Britiau took in the Exhibition. The Duke also said he was very glad that the British section, under Colonel Standfond's able guidance, was successful, and be took that opportunity of thanking Colonel Stand ford for what he had done. Both the telegram and the letter were loudly cheered. On the following day the closing ceremonies were held. Immense crowds attended, but the effect of the proceedings was marred by rain. The outdoor platform had to be abandoned, the addresses being delivered in the Judges* Hall. The proceedings were interspersed with appropriate music, an ode to America being sung by the entire assemblage. The original flag of the United States, first hoisted by John Paul Jones on the war vessel Bonhomme Richard, being no* furled during the singing, was received applause. Salutes were fired from the battery on George's Hill, and from the war vessels in the harbour. President Grant at 30 minutes to 4 p.m. declared the exhibition closed, and the machinery immediately stopped. Tbe singing of the " Old Hundreth " closed, the ceremonies at the Exhibition. The work of dismantling the Exhibition and removing tbe goods is now going on. Tbe German Government has presented the German pavilion at the grounds to Philadelphia, and the Marquis of Salisbury has authorised Colonel Sandford to lend to the Pennsylvania rt Museum the Britist Indian collection till the close of 1877, to be afterwards disposed of as Colonel Sand' ford may direct. The American correspondent of the Times telegraphs that arrangements have been matured for continuing after Nov 10, the Philadelphia Exhibition in thi main industrial building by a company chartered under the laws of Pensylvania, including the chief managers of the present Exhibition. A museum is also to be opened in tbe memorial building, known as the Pennsylvania Museum. The chief part of the British Art educational collection from South Kensington, now at Philadelphia, has been presented by th« Duke of Richmond partly to the Vennsylvania Museum and partly to tie new Educational Museum at Washington. The British Ordnance Survey maps will also be presented; while arrangements are being made for the ioan to the Pennsylvania Museum of the British East Indian display now in the Exhibition for one year. This generosity on the part of the British authorities, with the gift of tbe St. George's House to Phila. delphia, and the handsome conduct of England throughout the Exhibition, have (says the correspondent) made a most excellent impression upon the American people. The Few York correspondent of the Melbourne Argus writes on Nov. 27 as follows .-—The Philadelphia Exhibition closed on Nov. 10 punctually, according to announcement. The day was very stormy, and rain fell heavily, so that the ceremonies, that had been arranged on quite a grand scale, were hastily adjourned to one of the buildings— the jndges' hall— and there proved rather unimpressive. It is found that the total attendance' at the Exhibition falls a few thousand short of 10,000.000 admissions,, The exact figures are 9,907,125. This was an average of 62,309 daily for th.c

159 days on which the Exhibition was ] i open. The attendance rose gradually to 1 tbe last. Iv May it was about 20,000 daily ; by August it had reached 33,000 daily ; and in October it was over 100,000 1 daily* The. entire receipts have been i 4,308,745d01. 24c., of which 4313,724d01. ! 49c. was from admissions, and the re- ' mainder from " ceneessions,*' 4c. If the shareholders are paid first, they will re* ceive about 80 per cent, of their subscriptions. If the United States Government is first reimbursed its appropriation, they will receive only about 50 per cent. The scheme for a permanent exhibition in the main building is not yet put on a secure basis, and may or may not succeed. On the whole. I think that there can be no doubt of the great benefit which the Exhibition has been to the United States.