Grand Opening Ceremony.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3673, 2 October 1880, Page 2

Grand Opening Ceremony.

[Retjtee's Shbcial.l

Melboubkb, Friday. . A public holiday was proclaimed today in honor of the opening of the Exhibition. The weather was fine, but cloudy and windy. THE PROGRAMME OP THE PBOCEEDINGS. The various association* and trades assembled at an early hour, and formed a procession, traversing the principal streets. The fire brigades formed at Flinders street,- awaiting the vice-regal party, which left Government House at ' 10.30 under a Royal salnte.

The party consisted of the Marquis and Lady Normanby, the Duke of Manchester, Lord and Lady Loftus, Sir William, Lady; and the Mines Jervoite, Sir William and Lady Bobinton, Sit

Francis and Lady Smith, Commodore Wilson, 8.N., and their respective suites. The cortege consisted of tweke carriages.

The military and naval forces, comprising 500 British find 300 foreign blue jackets, and all the provincial and metropolitan volunteers had previousljr as sembled, the former taking up a position at the Exhibition and the latter preceding the Governor's party.

The visitors were received at the Exhibition by the Victorian Commissioners, and then conducted to the dias, where the distinguished visitors, Foreign Consuls, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Bishops, Judges, and other functionaries had seats. "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN." On the approach of the Marquis of Normanby, the "National Anthem " was sung by the choir, which afterwards gave the cantata specially composed for the occasion. OPENING ADDRESS. Mr Clarke, President of the Commissioners, then read an address to the Governor, who, in replying, said the undertaking was most creditable to the Commissioners, to the Executive, and to Parliament. The display of industry and art in the building were such as the colony might be proud of; and the foresight, energy, and ability with which the details had been carried out reflected the

highest credit on the community. The Government, foreign countries, and the colonies promptly co-operated, and they are now assurred of the fact that the exhibition would rank equal to its predecessors and prove as satisfactory an exponent of the world's industries. He concluded by declaring the Exhibition open in the name of the Queen. The Royal Standard was then hoisted on the building, and salutes firsd. The Governor and party then proceeded round the building and visited the various Courts, where the Commissioners and the representatives of the various countries were presented to His Excellency. ORCHESTRA. The grand orchestra mustered 700 strong, while the band of 100 instrumentalsts, including many of the best musicians in Melbourne, was under the contrel of M. Caron, the composer of the prize opening cantata, who conducted. Madame Simonsen, Mrs Cutter, Mr Beaumont, and Mr Verdi are the principal singers. Midnight. THE ILLUMINATIONS. All the arrangements which were made for the opening were generally most excellent, and there was no hitch of any kind. This evening, and indeed all day, the j "streets have been thronged with crowds of people, who were very orderly. A most brilliant illumination took place especially in the harbor, and, the sky being clear, there were an immense number of spectators about until a late hour.