Page 2 Advertisements Column 3

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3351, 18 September 1879, Page 2

OF THM Sydney Exhibition. , « : (Fbom tub Speciai Coereskjndent to the aucklakd stau.) Grand Opening Ceremonial. (By Cauie.) Sydney, September 17. The Great International Exhibition was openrd today amid great enthusiasm. The weather is gloriously fine. A general holiday is observed throughout the city, and the entire population turned out eti masse. The streets of the city are crowded with sightseers. The ceremonial was certainly grand. The various public bodies which took part in the procession mustered in the Hyde Park at ten o'clock in the morning, and carriages were drawn up at the Government House. The following order was pre-arranged:— Mounted Police. Insurance Coupanies' Fire Brigade. Woolalira Volunteer Fire Brigade. Newtown Volunteer Fire Brigade. j Paddington Volunteer Fire Brigade. ! Grand United Order of Oddfellows. Ancient Order of ForestersManchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. Holy Catholic Guild, StMftiy and St Joseph. Protestant Alliance Friendly Society. National Division Sons of Temperance of j Australia. v Independent Order of Good Templars. Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit; Society. ' United Ancient Order of Druids. ' The New South Wales Seamen's Union. Amalgamated Journeymen Tailors of NewSouth Wales. ' Officers and Seamen of the French Navy. Officers aud t-eamen of tlie Austrian Navy. Officers and Seamen of the German Navy. Officers and Seamen of the Royal Navy. The Governor's Carriage. His Excellency's other carriages, conveying tlie Governors of other Australian ■ : Colonies. ' Carriages contairing the Ministry. N S.W. Artillery.' , ■ N.S.W. Naval Brigade. The Volunteers, The Ceremonial.

About five minutes before twelve the booming of cannon announced the approach of the Yice-Eegal party, and everyone was on tiptoe of expectation, increased as tba martial strains of the National Anthem were heard from the military band of the Permanent Force outside, mingled with the heavy shouts, cheers, and hurrahs of the assembled multitude. Lord Loftus was received at the main gates by two officials only, P. A. Jennings Esq., C.M.Gr., the Executive Commissioner, and James Barnet, Esq, the Colonial Architect, and architect of the "Palace," the other commissioners being assembled within the principal or western entrance of the building. 1' On the arranged signal being given Signer Giorza waved bis baton, and the orchestra played the National Anthem aa His Excellency took up his position on the north-east side of the central basin, beneath the dome, amidst the ruieing cheers from the concourse of visitors, to which hi* lordship responded in a manner that showed his evident appreciation of the scene, and his heartfelt sympathy with this vast effort of a young colony. The cords of. the veil which had until now shrouded the figure which seemed to rise mysteriously from the vacuum and water beneath were placed in the hands of His JSlfeeUency, who at one« drew the string; the "covering fell instantly, and the beautiful figure of our gracious sovereign—a faithful image —stood on its pedestal revealed to public gaze. Again the National Anthem was played, again the tumultuous shouts ascended through air to the lofty space above, as the Governor was led to his seat in the raised space in the centre of the dias, whero his vice-regal guests and others surrounded him.

After-a few moments pause, Signor Giorza again waved his baton and the concourse of singers.rose simultaneous to commence tho cantata composed by Giorza to the words of Henry Kendall in commemoration of the opening of the Exhibition, the hopes of the Colony, and the aspirations of the 4 people. This was certainly an exciting moment, for the. scene was rich and brilliant. The mass of .singers, the ladies elegantly costumed, the pleasingly and uniformly-attired children, looking anxiously to their guide, the serried roxvs of ladies in the galleries, the fair pianists <md vocalists in the front, tho dark background of male attire, the burst of harmony, tho uniforms and insignia of the distinguished groups on thedias, all completed a scene hitherto witnessed in the great capitals of the world. In' addition to His Excellency Lord Loftus there were seated in the raised space in the centre of the estrade His Excellency the Marquis of Kormanby, G.C.8., Governor of Victoria, His Excellency Sir William Jervois, K.C.M.G., Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Sir Arthur Kennedy, K.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland, and His Excellency P. A. Weld, C.M.G., Governor of Tasmania. There can be no hesitation in saying that a feeling of deep regret was not only experienced by a large majority of those present, but that it obtained audible expression, that His Excellency Sir Hercules Eobinson, the Governor of your colony, could not.be present to take part in the ceremonial of opening the Exhibition, in the creation of which he took uo inconsiderable part. There would have been a general rejoicing had tho well known face of Sir Hercules appeared amidst tho features of his compeers, and the arrangements of tbe Ceremonial Committee would have been compulsorily broken through had they not included space or time for a few remarks from Sir Hercules Bobinson.

Auckland Manufactures. The Parnell Soap Factory exhibits some very fine cases of tiolet and common soaps, arranged with much taste and care. A very Valuable easa, exciting much attention, contains paints and varnishes made from the New Zealand kauri gum and other pigments, exhibited by Atkinson and McUoll, Newmarket, Auckland. Tins is likely to find favor here, and I heard a well-known painter remark, that some of these articles would put European Tarnishes in the shade as being bettor adapted to the climate. Numbers 191 and 196 are gas tiles, crucibles, and fire tiles, by George Boyd, Newton, Auckland, A rery beautiful chess-table, inlaid with New Zealand woods, forming a kind of basket work, is the admiration of all connoisseurs. The squares art well defined, and the whole workmanship—that of Anton SeofiVrt,