THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1691, 28 January 1888, Page 4

THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

Sydney, Jan. 26,

Tlic city was most brilliantly illuminated «nd decoroted to-night, quite surpassing the display made on the occasion of thu Jubilee festivities. G*nrg>! sireet wnb lioed with one hiiDdrod. red Venetian masts supporting on endless line of banner*, heraldic shields being interspersed along the line. The whole was illuminated by larg« numbers of lanterns. Three arches spanned the roadway at intervals, Hnd liDes of bunting were flying in George street, Pitt street, and other principal thoroughfares. Ths buildings wore illuminated with moat intricate devicce, showing a consider ible expenditure of time and money, but the illuminations were somewhat interfered with by the breeze blowing. The tower of the General Post(ffico was adorned with arc lights placed at nn elevation of over 200 feet above the level of the street. In Oxford street there were five more arches with continuous festoons. Ou each sids of the streets thtre were colored glass lumps. Th» statues of Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, and Captaiu Cook, were garlanded with btriugs of lamps, and thousands of lamps scatteied among the trees and flow«ra in the park presented a most attractive appearance. The Town Hall was similarly adorned, aud was a perfect blaze of colored lights and devices. Flags were flying from every pole and from everything to which a flag could be tacked with advantage. AH wheeled traffic was stopped in the principal streets, which were rendered quite impassable, the crowd filling them *ll night. It is estimated that at least 200,000 people here about the streets. Between eight aod nine hundred guests were present at the State banquet, for whom ample preparations were made, which were carried out in an excellent manner. At the head of the room a raised table was placed, which was occupied by some fifty notabilities, lords, Governors, Premiers, and others. Sir W. Jervois replied to the toast of the Governors. His speech was devoted entirely to the aspect of colonial defencp. He expressed regret that New Zealand Ministers were ahsolute'y precluded by urgent public business from taking part in tho great celebration. He referred to his eleven years' coouection with the defence of the colonies, and praised the readiness displayed by the several colonial Parliaments in passing the Naval Defences Bill. They must not forget that it was highly essential that commercial routes should be guarded as well as harbors. He spoke approvingly of the labours to that end made by the Earl of Carnarvon in his position as Cbivrman of the Defence OpmmifEion, and congratulated the colonies on ih* work they had done, and on the advanced state of their defences, which was a most important factor in the groat work of federation. Portions of Sir William's speech, which was not a lengthy one, were loudly cheered.—The Centenninl Park was dedicated by Lord Carington on Thursday in the presence of «n immense crowd. The guard of honor comprised 20C0 men. Twolve bands were presenr. Among those who planted trees were Lord and Lady Oitrrington, Counters of Carnarvon, Sir Henry B. Loch, Ma]orGeneral Sir William Jervois, .*nd Sir Willi'ira Robinson.—At the Agricultural Show, which was formally opened on Wednesday by His Excellency the Governor, Lord C-irington, Mr Rowo, of Chrihtchurch, took all the prizes for pigs, nod Messrs Green and Co., of the same p'ace, took first priz°B for machine-cured and smoked ham.—The great coamo po itan Press banquet took plfco on Wednight, at which there was a largo attendance. Visitors have been arriving in the city all the week. The hotels are overcrowded, and unable to provide sufficient accommodation.—The Boman Catholics propose to finish Sir Mary's Cathedra! to commemorate the centenary. The building stands on tho edge of Hyde Park, on the -site of the two former churches destroyed by fire. .