OPENING OF THE EXHIBITIONSUCCESSFUL AND IMPOS ING CEREMONY. London, May 4, Noon.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 154, 15 May 1886, Page 3

OPENING OF THE EXHIBITIONSUCCESSFUL AND IMPOS I NG CEREMONY. London, May 4, Noon.

The Indian and Colonial Exhibition at South Kensington was formally open this morning by Her Majesty the Queen. The members of the Executive Commission were presented to Her Majesty on her entrance to the building, the vestibule of which was panelled round with views of Australian scenery. A procession was then formed which traversed the Indian, Australian, and Canadian Courts, to the Albert Hall, where the imposing inaugural ceremony took place. The Prince of Wales then, in his capacity as President of the Executive Commission, read an address to Her Majesty as follows: — " May it please your Majesty ; as Executive President of the Koyal Commissioners, appointed by You* Majesty 'a Royal Warrant of the Bth November, ISS4, for the promo tion of an Exhibition of the British, Colonial and Indian Empire, subsequently incorporated by Her Majesty's Royal Charter of 10th September, ISSS, I humbly beg leave to lay before you a brief statement of our proceedings up to the present time. The general interest manifested in the display made by Your Majesty's Colonial and Indian Empire at the Paria Exhibition of 1878 led me, as President of the British Commissioners, to express a hope that an opportunity might soon occur by which Your Majesty's subjects in England would be enabled to witness the marvellous development which, under your beneficent rule, their bi-ethren and fellow-subjects had attained throughout so many portions of the globe. It was, therefore, with the highest gratification that I accepted Your Majesty's gracious invitation to assume the executive presidency of thia commission, the appointment of which by Your Majesty has been tho moans of making this hopo a reality. The invitations which were empowered by Your Majesty to issue to the colonial Government?, and to the Government of India, were forwarded towards the close of the year 18S4, and from tho answers received it at once became apparent that the undertaking had obtained warm r.nd hearty sympathy throughout Her Majesty's dominions. In Her Majesty's Dominion of Canada, throughout her Australasian, Afiican, West Indian, and Eastern colonies, Mediterranean possession, and elsewhere, grants were voted, commissions formed.and executive commissioners appointed. That the work of preparation was undertaken with enthusiasm and attended with success is evident from the complete and varied collections which ;at pre?ent fill the building throughout which Your Majesty has just passed. The response received from the Government of India was also of the most cordial character. Big Excellency the Viceroy caused, through the revenue or the Agricultural Department, instructions to be issued to every district of Your Majesty's Indian Empire for the collection of objects illustrative of arte, manufactures, and resources of that great realm. These selection?, which now adorn a large section of the Exhibition, have been supplemented by generous contributions from their Highnesses the Princesses of India by collections the formation of which we ourselves have authorised, and by the contributions of private native exhibitors. We are desirous of bringing under Your Majesty's notice our deep appreciation of the hearty interest manifested by the respective colonial Governments in the Exhibition, and of taking the opportunity of stating how greatly we are indebted to the commissioners appointed by these Governments, and to tho executive commissioners, on whom the superintendence of the entire work of the Installation has devolved. We further desire to record the valuable assistance -which we have received from Her Majesty's Viceroy, from tho Supreme Government of India, and from the various officials who have so ably and thoroughly carried out their instruction?. Our grateful thanks are also due to the Colonial Governments, to the Government of India, to the Corporation of the city of London, to many city companies', and to the firms and individuals who have contributed to the guarantee funds. The fact that the list of subscribers not only includes those whose interests are likely to be specially affirmed by the Exhibition, but also comprehends every class of the community, supplies genuine proof of the univerai sympathy and interest which thia undertaking has aroused. We venture to avail oureeives of this opportunity to convey to Your Majesty 'our dutiful and loyal acknowledgment of the interest which Your Majesty has been pleased to take in our labours, which is proved to us by Your Majesty's presence here to-day ; nor can I resist a reference to a similar ceremony presided over by Youp Majesty a few paces from this about 35 years ago. On that memorable occasion, the first of its kind, the Prince Consort, my beloved and reverend father, filled the position which I, following in hia footsteps at however great a distance, now have the honour and gratification of occupying. Your Majesty alone can fully realise with what deep interest my beloved father would, had he been spared, have watched, as their originator, the development of the Exhibition both in this country and abroad, and with what especial pleasure he would have rejoiced as having for its object the prosperity of Your Majesty's Empire,, the interests of which he had so much at heart. In the great Exhibition jof 1851, Your Majesty's colonial and Indian possessions were indeed represented,, but their importance was then but little realised, and their present greatness was at that time unforeseen. ,^;D.uring th> year's that have, elapsed aWoQ 185 X, fewer^ceat'er Changes have been

wrought' than the, marvellous development of the outlying portions of Your Majesty's Empire. It is our heartfelt prayer that an undertaking intended to illuetrate and to record this development may give a stimulus to the commeraal interests and intercourse of all parts of Your Majeety'a dominions, that ib may be the means of augmenting that warm affection and brotherly sympathy which is reciprocated by all Your Majesty's subjects, and that it may still further deepen that steadfast loyalty which we who dwoll in the mother country share with your kindred who have elsewhere co nobly done honour to her name.

Her Majesty's Reply. Her Majesty the Queen said in response : — I receive, with the greatest satisfac* ion, the address whioh you have presented to me on the opening of this Exhibition. I have observed with a warm and increasing interest the progress of your proceedings in the execution of the duties entrusted tcTyou by the Koyal Commission, and it affords me sincere gratification to wifcneas the successful result of your judicious and unremitting exertions in the magnificent Exhibition which has been gathered together here today. I am deeply moved by your reference to the circumstances in which fche ceremony of 1851 took place, and I heartily concur in the belief you have expressed that the Prince Consort, my beloved husband, had he been spared, would have witnessed with intense interest the development of his ideap, and would, 1 may add, have eeenjvith pleasure our eon taking the lead in the movement of which he was the originator, and I cordially concur with you in the prayer that thi's undertaking may be the means of imparting a stimulus to the commercial interests and intercourse of all parts of my dominions, by encouraging the arts of peace and industry, and by [strengthening the bonds of union which now exist in every portion of nay Empire.

OPENING ODE BY LORD TENNYSON. Welcome, welcome, with one voice, In your welfare we rejoica ; Sona and brotturs that have sent From isle, and c^oe, and continent, Produce of your field, and flo> d, Mount, and mine, and primal wood, Works of subtle brain and hand, Splendours of the morning laad, Gifts from every British zoneBritons, hold your ovf n ! May we find, aa ages run, The mother featured in the son, And may yours for ever be 1 hat old strength and constancy Which has made your mother great. In our ancient island state, And where'er her flag may fly, Glorying between sea and sky, Makes the might of Britain known— Batons, hold your own ! Britain fought her sons of yore ; Britain failed, and never mor?, CaTeless of our growing Ida, Shall we sin our father's tin. Men that in a narrower day— Unpropbetic rulera they — Drove from out the mother's nest That young eagle of the West, To torage for herself alone— Britons, hold your own ! Sharers of our glorious past - Brothers must we part at last ? Shall not we, through cold and ill, Cleave to one another still ? Britain's myriad voices call — " Sons, ba welded each and all Into one imperial whole ! One with Britain, heart and soul— Oce life, one flig, one fleet, one thronoJHritons, hold your own, And God guard all !"

Special stands were provided for the accommodation of colonists along tho route taken by the procession. Th6re was an immense concourse of people, and the pageant was of a most brilliant nature, splendid weather greatly enhancing the sue seas.

Now Zealand and the Exhibition. The text of the royal addresses and of the Poet Laureate's ode were cabled by the Prince of Wales to His Excellency Sir Win. B\ D. Jervois, with the request that they should be published in a Government Gazette. His Excellency has replied as .follows :—•" His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, London : The Governor and Government of New Zea'and, on behalf of the colony, acknowledge with respectful thanks the receipt ot your telegram. They heartily congratulate Your Royal Highness on the opening of- the Exhibition, the success of which is so greatly due to your gracious exertions. A special gazette will be issued forthwith." His Excellency has also forwarded to Her Majesty the Queen the following telegram :— " The Governor and Government of New Zealand, on behalf of the colony, moct humbly tender to you their respectful thanks for the great honour conferred on the colonies by Your Majesty opening the Exhibition." Sydney, May 5. — A telegram of congratulation has been despatched to the Queen and the Prince of Wales by the Governor (Lord Carrington) and the New South Wales Government on the occasion of the opening of the Indian and Colonial Exhibition.

Additional Details. The following telegram has been received by the Governor from Sir P. C. Owen : — London, May 4. — The Prince of "Wales today officially inspected tho New Zealand pectlon. He was received bv Sir F. D. Bell, Dr. Haast, and Dr. Buller, and he examined with much interest, and in detail, tbevarious sections of the Exhibition and exoressed his great satisfaction at the hearty cooperation of the Government of New Zealand, and the completeness of the arrangements. Several Royalties have privately visited tho Exhibition at the opening ceremony. Her Majesty the Queen was very quietly dressed in black, and thirteen of her children and grandchilden were present. Her Majesty was immensely pleased at the reception accorded, and termed the Exhibition a magnificent one. Her Majesty specially noticed the groups of Hiudoos and aboriginals in their several courts. Lord Augustus Loftus was not present, being confined to his home through indisposition. The market and wine bars for the sale of colonial produce and wines are a great attraction, and Adelaide fruit, which is being sold there, has realised good prices. The portraits of the Soudan contingent and views cf Sydney are greatly admired. Sir P. C Owen, on behalf of the Prince of Wales, specially thanked Messrs Bosisto and Thompson, Sir Samuel Devonport, Mr Scott, Sir F. D. Bell, Dr. Yon Haaar, Sir Alexander Stuart, and Messrs Binney and Garrick, as ardent workers. The " Times " remarks upon the absence of Mr Gladstone from the opening Ceremony of the Exhibition.

To this Public— l, the undersigned, do this day make the following statement, in hopes that others who have gone through a similar affliction may profit therohy ;— For many months have I been sick ; so bad that life was a burden. The mental depression and physical prostration were something that cannot do described. Doctors and patent medicines I have tried without any relief, but getting worse all the time. As a forlorn hope I called on Dr. Speer, Palmerston Buildings, Quoen-street. He examined me, and without asking a-qucs'ion, gave me every symptom I had. Said ho would treat mo. From the first teaspoonful of his medicine I felt relief, and have been constantly getting better ever since. Words cannot express my gratitude. The, above statement' L make without any solicitation, and I am willing to verify the sam<}' before' a J.P.— Respectfully yours, B, 'ADAWSW Charlotte-street, Erteu Tdiraoe,