CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 796, 3 November 1900, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION.

OPENING CEREMONY,

A BRILLIANT FUNCTION

(by telegraph—press association.) Christchgrch, Last Night. The opening ceremony of the Exhibition was successful from all points of view. The weather was brilliantly fine, the attendance large and the arrangements perfect.

The doors of the hall were unlocked by the Mayoress of Chriscchurcli with a golden key. The principal ceremony took place at 2 p.m., when the hall was filled with a throng of the principal residents in Canterbury, among whom were many pilgrims and other early settlers!

The sceue in the hall was brilliant. The Premier and the Honorable Messrs Ward*and Walker took part and were accompanied by Mrs and Miss Seddon and Mesdames Beau and Matson.

The Vice-Regal party drove up in a carriage drawn by four greys. The Governor was received by the President and the Executive Committee and presented with the. guld badge of the Exhibition. %

The National Anthem was then suna with fine effect.

An admirable rendering by the choir of the Jubilee Ode, which was composed by Messrs O. T. Alpers and Maughan Barnetfc followed.

Mr R. Allan, the President of the Can ternary Industrial Association, then asked Eis Excellency to open the Exhibition.

Lord Ranfurly said he was pleased to be piesent to perform the ceremony and referred at some length to his recent trip to the Islands. He was glad to open such a great Exhibition, which he understood was second to uone held in the colony. It was a fitting tribute to the pioneers who, fifty years ago, had landed iu Canterbury. His Excellency then went on to enlarge on the progress of the Province, and made special reference to the departure of the Contingents, and declared the Exhibition open. The Premier, who was warmly received, paid a high tribute to the value of exhibitions, aud urged the people of the colony to use articles manufactured in the colony as much as possible, and said it was his duty to assist such an Exhibition.

The Mayor of Christchurch also spoke. Hearty cheers were then given foi His Excellency, who then sent for Messrs Alpers and Harnett and congratulated them upon the success of the Jubilee Ode. '

The<vice Regal party were tlieu conducted through the Exhibition, which covers practically one of the city blocks. Except in the Defenco Court, the exhibits are wholly of colouial manufacture or products. All departments of local industry were remarkably well represented. In the educational and home industries departments there are no fewer than three thousand exhibits. Contrary to expectation, the Exhibition is practically complete, nearly all the exhibitors having their courts ready.