Centennial Celebration in New South Wales.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 229, 19 November 1887, Page 8

Centennial Celebration in New South Wales.

The Premier has submitted his CentoiFaial proposals, and they have been favorably received, by members of both sides- of the House and passed. They arc as follows :—: — " 1. That a grand intercolonial banquet be ghen, to which State invitations shall be isbiied in the name of the- colony — (a) From his Excellency the- Governor to the Governors of the other Australasian colonies ; (b) from tbc- advisers of the down in this colony to the Ministers of the other colonies ; (c) from the President of the Council and the Speaker of the Assembly, on behalf of the two Houses of Pailiair.ent of this colony, to the Parliaments of the other colonies. Such other persons of distinction residing in thocolonies, or who may be visiting the colonies, to be a!?o specially invited. 2. That the Agricultural Society of New South Wales be aided to the amount of £7,000 to enable them to hold a grand Intercolonial Exhibition of live stock, pastoral, agricultural and horticultural produce, including botanical and floral productions, and ot manufactures in metals, timbers, fibres, stone and clay, confined to the products of Australasia. 3. That steps be taken to render the usual Regatta more of an intercolonial character, and that a Challenge Cup, of the value of 500 guineas, to be called ' The Hundred Years Cup,' together with £300 in prizes, be given in the name of Parliament. 4. That new postage stamps be issued, commemorative of the centennial of the colony." These proposals, however, according to the Premier, do nob by any means exhaust the Government programme, and it is probable that the Ministers have not yet settled in their own minds all the details of their centennial plans. It has been suggested that the aborigines should nob be foi gotten ; that a military display of some sort should take place ; and that literary and musical talent should be stimulated by the offer of prizes for a centennial ode. These and other things., the Premier gays, have been thought of, but he does not express any liking for the ode. He prefers to offer a prize for an historical essay on the colony. Tho vote of £7,000 to the Agricultural Society on account of the intercolonial exhibition stands by itself, and the Premier confidently declares that the cost of all the other proposals will not exceed £12,000.