THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3683, 14 October 1880, Page 2

THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

(FHOM OtJB OWN COBBEBPONDBNT.)

' Meiboubne,October 5. You have doubtless already received an outline by cable of the opening ceremonies in connection with our Exhibition, and no doubt have already a pretty good idea of the form of the building, and the distribution of the different courts and annexes. I may be able to give some further particulars that may interest your readers.

Friday morning, the opening day, broke fine and all Melbourne was early astir. Thousands of people might be seen wending their way towards the Carlton gardens, and the different coigns of vantage for obtaining a view of the procession were speedily filled with eager and expectant faces. So great were the crowds in the leading thoroughfares, that invited gaests had to be driven by .'circuitous routes, though I must give the people the credit.that there was an entire absence of anything like disorder. The procession was a most georgeous affair. The Naval forces, comprising the Naval Reserve, and drafts from the British, French, Italian, and German Warships in the harbor led the way, followed by the Victorian Land Forces, this portion of the procession numbeing 2159 men. The following is the order and approximate number of the procession of Associated trades, &c.:—Trades Committee, 70; City of Fitzroy Brass Band, 20; ironmoulders, 360; bootmakers, 490; Richmond Fife and Dram Band, 40; United Labourers' Society, 80; Victorian Brickmakers, 50; mill sawyers, 150; Brown's Brass Band, 15; cabinetmakers, 150; boilermakers, 160; Brickmakers' Fife and Drum Band, 30; bricklayers, 100; carpenters and joiners, 260; Brunswick Brass Band, 30; Amalgamated Society of Engineers, 220; sail makers, 30; Seamen's Union and Brass Band, 170; Melbourne gas stokers, 60; quarrymen, 100; City of Fitzroy Drum and Fife Band, 40; Operative Plumbers' Society, 50; Port Philip Shipwrights' Society, 100; Willianistown Brass Band, 20; operative masons, bookbinders, plasterers, &c, 200; Hallas's Brass Band, 40; firemen of city and suburban brigades, 250; total number, 3,500. Half way up Collins street the societies formed lines and halted, and on the Viceregal party leaving Government House the fact was announced by a salute of seventeen guns, fired from the Prince Bridge battery. The Viceregal party drove through the inverted ranks, the array of Governors and A.D.C's. heightening the effect. They were escorted by a troop of Volunteer Cavalry, whose carraccoling horses were with difficulty kept in hand. The route was densely crowded, but thanks to the admirable arrangements of the police there were no stoppages. Your humble servant had a good opportunity of viewing the procession from the monument. The Exhibition building, gay with flags and streamers, was soon reached, and no time was lost in preparing for the opening ceremony. Their Excellencies and the Duke of Manchester, were seated on a dais, and the Commissioners, visitors from other colonies, and the general public had each places allotted to them. As soon as order had been restored the signal was given by the conductor, Monsieur Caron, a gentleman

who visited the Thames some time ago, and Madame Simonsen sang the National Anthem, the large choir of instrumentalists and rocalists taking up the theme, and making the very building shake with a flood of delicious harmony. The Hon. Mr Clarke, Chairman of the Exhibition Commissioners, stepped to the front of the dais, and called for three cheers for the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the .Royal, Family and the Governor, all of which were moat enthusiastically given. The performance of the cantata, written by Mr Meaden and composed by M. Caroti, followed, and occupied an hour. As a musical composition it is a masterpiece, and the applauding shouts from from several thousands must hare been exceedingly gratifying to the author and composer. The Hon. W. J. Clarke then presented the Commissioners' address to the Governor, to which His Excellency made a suitable reply, and concluded by declaring " The Melbourne International Exhibition now open in the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria;" after which he sent a tele* gram to Her Majesty announcing the fact. During the formal inspection of the Courts in the main avenue by the Governor's party, M. Caron's band played a selection of National Airs, and on His Excellency returning to the dias the " (Joranation march," and " God save the Queen 1' concluded the inaugural cere* mony. I afterwards wandered through the main buildings, whose ugliness and inadaptability I freely admit, and soon came to the New Zealand Court—a point of absorbing interest to me of course. The court is a long narrow strip to the east of what is irreverently styled " the bowling alley," and situated between Queensland and South Australia. Its walls are profusely decorated with paintings and photographs, giving a first* rate idea of the picturesque scenery of. our colony. In front of the court are the mineral trophies, like sentinels guarding the entrance, and the show cases and shelves are stocked with a multiplicity of exhibits, the symmetrical order of arrange* ment reflecting the greatest credit on Dt Hector and Mr Callis, who have mainly superintended the arranging of the court. I notice the Thames makes a very creditable appearance. The show of biscuits is large, and all appear of very good quality. Of course when the judges taste them, I will be able to tell you which makers they think the best; Messrs Grant:, Mennie and Day, and Douglas are the exhibitors. Hudson's and Steadman's tinned peaches are to be seen and Koeford's and Walker's tomato sauces. The timber exhibits of Bead and Bagnall Bros., one showing kauri and the other white pine, are in conspicuous places, while Bush's and tbe Thames Produce Company's exhibits of kauri gam are much admired. Mrs Tizard's water color paintings of native flowers look very nice «nd attract attention. A Mr ~ Driver exhibits an oil painting, and Mr Robert Graham's photos of the Waiwera and the Ohinemutu springs Are easily seen. Much attention is given to the sample of Thames quartz sent by a Mr Comer, and the hematite ores and other pigments with their preparations, shown by Edwards and Bennett, are placed in a convenient place. A full description of. the other Courts would not be of much interest, but in my next letter I intend, figuratively speaking, to take your readers through the Exhibition, and show them the main points of interest.