COMMEMORATION IN SYDNEY. Sydney, January 26. Opening of Centennial Park.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 240, 4 February 1888, Page 3

COMMEMORATION IN SYDNEY. Sydney, January 26. Opening of Centennial Park.

Oke of the principal events of the centennial ©elebrations took place at noon today, when the dedication of the Centennia. Paulc was performed by Lord Carrington, Governor of New South Wales. Hia Excellency entered the Park at the Paddingtpn gates under a salute of 17 guns. The local military and naval forces, comprising 2,000 men, formed the guard of honour. Twelve bands were present. The following ladies and gentlemen planted trees in commemoration of the occasion :—: — Lady Carrington, Countess of Carnarvon, Sir Henry B. Loch, Major-General rfir Wm. Jervois, Sir Wm. Robinson, Sir Anthony Musgrave, Sir Robert Hamilton, Sir Fredk. N. Broome, Sir Charles Mitchell, Earl of Carnarvon, Duke of Manchester, Sir Henry Parkes, and Hon. John Lakey (President of Centennial Commission). There was a very large and fashionable assemblage present, and the? speeches delivered were few and brief. His Excellency then declared the Centennial Park to be dedicated and open to the public. Another salute of nineteen gun* was then fired, and cheers were called for the Governor and Lady Carrington, the combined bands playing "God Save the Queen."

Other Celebrations. The committee to whom vras entrusted the work of distributing tickets for food to the deserving poor have had a busy time of it. No fewer than 11,000 tickets have been distributed since six o'clock yesterdaymorning. The applicants appear to be mostly of the thrifty class of the poor. The city was most brilliantly illuminated and decorated to-night, quite surpassing the display made on the occasion of the Jubilee festivities. George-street was lined with, one hundred red Venetian masts, supporting an endless lino of banners, heraldic shields being interspersed along the line, the whole being illuminated by large numbers of lanterns. Three arches spanned the road at intervals, and lines of bunting were flying in George-street, Pitt-street* and other principal thoroughfares. The buildings were illuminated with most* intricate devices, showing a considerable expenditure in time and money* but the illuminations were somewhat interfered with by the breeze blowing. The tower of the General Post. Office was adorned with arc lights, placed at an elevation of over 200 feet above the level of the street. In Oxford-street there were five more arches with continuous festoons. On each side of the streets were coloured glass lamps. The statues of HerMajesty the Queen, Prince Albert, and Captain Cook were garlanded with strings of lamps, and thousands of lamps were scattered among the trees and flowers in the Park, presenting a most attractive appearance. The Town Hall was similarly adorned, and was a perfect blazeof coloured lights and devices. Flags were flying from every pole, and from anythingto which a flag could be tacked with advantage. All wheeled traffic was stopped in the central streets, which were rendered quite impassable, the crowd tilling them all night. It is estimated that at least 200,000 people were about the streets. The shipping in harbour contributed very little tofche display, with the exception of discharging a few rockets, etc., the crews evidently preferring to reserve themselves for the harbour illuminations, which are to take place to-morrow night, and again on Wednesday evening.

The State Banquet. Between 800 and 900 guests were present at the State banquet, for whom ample preparations were made, and which were carried out in an excellent manner. Afc the head of the room a raised table was placed, which was occupied by some fifty notabilities, Lords 4 Governors, Premiers, and others. Sir Win. Jervois replied to the toast of the " Governors," his speech boinjj do voted entirely to the aspeot of colonial defence. Ho expressed regret that New Zealand Ministers were absolutely precluded by urgent public business from taking part in the great celebration. He referred to his eleven years' connection with the defences of the colonies, and praised the readiness displayed by the several colonial Parliaments in passing the Naval Defences Bill. They must not forget that ifc was highly essential that the commercial routes should be guarded as well as harbours. He spoke approvingly of the laboura to that end made by the Earl of Carnarvon in his position as Chairman of the Defence Commission, and congratulated the colonies on the- work they had done, and on the advanced stato of their- defences, which was a most important factor in the great work of federation. Portions of Sir William's speech, which was a lengthy one, were loudly cheered.