OTAGO JUBILEE.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 263, 24 March 1898, Page 2

OTAGO JUBILEE.

The Jubilee Industrial Exhibition was opened in Dunedin on Tuesday. There were pnsent: His Excellendy the Governor, the Premier, a number of members of both houses of the legislature and a large number of colonists. The opening ceremony took place in the Agricultural Hall. When the Governor ent;red the assemblage rose and the band played the National Anthem.

The Hon. T. Fergus gave an address, in the course of wheh he alludeu to the pluck and perseverance of the early settlers. He said the Agricultural f-'oe'ety's winter show had proved so successful that more accommodation was required. The mercantile classes had responded liberally. Within 24 hours nearly £BOO had been subscribed and twice that sum guaranteed. Two or three gentlemen forming the Agricultural Hall Company had provided £2OOO, taking short dated debentures. The Governor then called upon the Premier, who spoke of the sterling qualities of the early settlers, and said that wherever their countrymen had set'led they had shown the same characteristics. The settlement of Otago was due to the Free Church of Scotland.

The Mayor considered the exhibition a fitting celebration of the Jubilee. If the country was to become great, it must be by the establishment of industries and art.

The Governor expressed regret at the absence of Lady Ranfurly, who was ill in bed. He had great pleasure in being present. He paid a high compliment to the country settlers, and referred to tke progress of industries, more particularly the" woollen and mining. He thought the mining industry would employ more and more people. He noticed that nearly every requisite for every inhabitant was exhibited, and nearly everything was of home manufacture. He recommenced the present generation to taach their children to follow in the footsteps of the old identities, so as to make the colony one of the foremost in Her Majesty's dominion.

The Choral and Orch°stral Societies during the evening rendered the 100th psalm, " Thanks be to God," " Elijah," and the " Hallelujah Chorus." There is a very large number of people in Dunedin for tin celebrations.