THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 124, 16 May 1908, Page 5

THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

CEMENTING TIIE ENTENTE CORDIALE. OPENED BV THE PRINCE OF WALES. A BRILLIANT CEKE.MiJ.NV. MABRFn BY RAIN. incompleteness OF BULDLVGS. PRINCE'S NOTABLE SPEECH.

Received 15th, 10.40 p.m. London, May 13. The general incompleteness of the exhibition and pouring rain marred the (brilliancy of the formal opening of the Kxhibition devoted to exhibits of France and Tier colonies and of the United King, dom and the British dominions beyond the teas. The site of the Exhibition covers 14 acres. Nothing was quite ready. A great deal, in fact, was not ready at all, es pecially the exhibits.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, driving in open carriages, met with an enthusiastic reception. From Kensington to Shepherd's Bush, the city was extensively decorated, the Union Jack and Tricolor being conspicuous.

The Duke and Duchess of Argvle, Lord Derby, Lord and Lady Dudley, M. Cuippi (French Minister fur Commerce), M. Buau (French Minister for Agriculture), M. Paul Cauibun (French Ambassador to London), Lord Strathcoua, lion. W. P. Reeves (New Zealand High OoiumUsioner), Lord and Lady Jersey, Mr. T. Price (Premier of South Australia), and others, received the Priuce and Princess of Wales at the entrance to the Exhibiton, and walked in [inK-- 1 --" n i to the Court of Honor, « here, after the

National Anthem am! the Marseillaise were a ting, the Prince of Walt's declared the Exhibition op?ii. Mu-ii was rendered by the Royal Choral Society of London's orchestra.

Madame Albani sang the National Anthem, (he choir and orchestra rendering the Duke of Argyll's welcome song, Mt to music by Sir Charles Stanford. The Duke of Argyll delivered ati address, thanking tlie Prince of Wall's for presiding, thug expressing ki» approval of and co-operation in the peaceful Industrie* of Britain and France. He referred to the generous effort of our kin dred people from overseas. The Prince of Wales, amid loud applause, aaid he and the Princeas "I Wales were especially glad to as»i»t in the inauguration of toe Exhibition, which was, lie said, the outcome o> generous co-operation of the great Frem-n nation with which Britishers were con nected in close and friendly rclaiii.it-. | He expressed gratitude to the Fmith j Government for their hearty and liberal 3upjK)rt, and warmly welcomed their representatives. lie rejoiced that the movement had been keenly and warmly promoted by over-Sea dominions, «nd congratulated all responsible for so mar. veljpus and beautiful a creation. lie iioped later to inspect the exhibits, and trusted the Exhibition would encourage healthy rivalry, stimulate an interchange of knowledge and ideas, otrongtlien the brotherhood of the nation?, an.l promote peace and civilisation. Drencbing rain spoiled the additional ceremonies.

Is the huge stadium, which seats 80,000 people, and in which the luartti revival of the Greek Olympic Games are to be held, 2000 male and ladv athletes inaugurated the sports programme. The fireworks programme was abandoned.

People (o the number of 130,000 at tended during the day.

The consensus of opinion is that the Exhibition ftuildinga will look daz/Jing in fine weather. At present they are unfinished. The gardens promise U> be a remarkable feature.

The Canadian and Indian building will tie ready and probably he opened next week. The Australian palace is rather less advanced. London. >lay 11. M. Y?e* Guyot, in a letter to th»Time*, urge* that the Franco-British Exhibition be kept open on Sundays. Otherwise, he says, thousands of Frenchmen will be unable to viait it. English Sabbatarians are opposing Sunday opening.