FOURTH OF JULY.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1130, 5 December 1873, Page 2

FOURTH OF JULY.

[WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT.] The 100 th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America is to be celebrated on an enormous scale in 1576 throughout the whole of the States by fetes, monster concerts, banquets, and such like demonstrations, but the distinguishing feature of the centenary celebration is to be an exhibition on a lage scale, to be held at Philadelphia, and in which all civilised countries are invited to co-operate. In 1871 Congress passed an Act incorporating a Commission for this centennial exhibition, and steps are being now taken to organise the undertaking. The United States Government takes no risk in the matter, nor defrays any of the cost, the expenses being met by the issue of the bonds by the Commission to the extent of 10.000,000 dollars—or two millions sterling—in 10 dollar shares. It is proposed that each State or territory shall subscribe for these bonds in proportion to the population of them respectively. Should this plan, however, fail to secure the sale of the bonds they will be submitted to the public generally. The Act appointing the Commission also associates the Secretary of the Treasury with that board, and establishes a Board of Finance, having separate control over the funds and financial affairs of the Commission. Already the State of Philadelphia has voted one tenth of the wholesum. 2,000, OOOdols more have been received from other places, and there is no reason to doubt that the whole 10,000,000 dollars will be readily forthcoming. We learn that the Exhibition buildings are to be on an immense scale, and that every possible facility will be offered to exhibitors both in and out of the States. The porclamation by General Grant relating to the Exhibition is framed upon the conditions imposed by the Imperial Commission of the Vienna Exhibition—that is to say, that " the privileges of exhibition can be granted only to the citizens of countries whose Government have formally accepted the invitation to be represented," and each nation accepting the invitation "is requested to appoint a Commission, through which a'l matters pertaining to its own interests shall be conducted." Exhibits are to be in Philadelphia not later than the Ist January, 1876, so that there is plenty of time for securing the representation of New Zealand on the occasion. There can be no doubt that the Imperial Government will gladly accept the invitation to take part in an Exhibition which President Grant describes as " a national celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the Independence of the United States," got up " in the interests of peace and civilisation, and domestic and international friendship iind intercourse." New Zealand has made a very creditable shov, at the Vienna celebration ;

and, with proper care and selection, this Colony could also present to the Centennial exhibition at Philadelphia an interesting and valuable collection of specimens illustrative of its resources. Wool, flax, gold, coal, and other minerals, would of themselves provide an attractive collection, and would, doubtless, tend much to enlighten our atlantic cousins upon our colonial wealth. We trust that, should the Imperial Government indicate its desire to further 1 the interests of this Exhibition, the Colonial authorities will invite the people of New Zealand to co-operate in the formation of a complete collection of specimens illustrative of the natural resources aud industries of the Colony.