AUSTRALIAN CENTENARY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2426, 28 January 1888, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CENTENARY.

* [By Ki.kctiuc Telkuhath. —Coi'ykusht. | Syiinky, January 2ii. VisiTOliS have been pourim; in from all quarters during the week All the hotels arc overcrowded, anil are unaljle u> aeeomniodute the many visitors. The illuminations and decorations tonight are ox|ioolucl to far exceed the Jubilee illuminations. The weather ia as yet line, but rain is reported to be coming down the coast. One of the principal events of the centennial celebrations took place at mum toil.iy, when the dedication of the Centennial Park was performed liy Lud Carrington, Governor of New S ;i\tl> Wall's. His Excellency entered the Park at the Parldington gates under a salute of seventeen guns. The local military and naval forces, comprising 2000 men, formed the guard of honour. Twelve bands were present. The following ladies and gentleman planted trees in commemoration of the occasion :—Lady Carrington, Countess of Carnarvon, Sir Henry 15. L"eh, MajorGeneral Sir Win. Jervois, Sir Win. Robinson. Sir Anthony Musgrave, Sir Robert Hamilton. Sir tVedk. N. Brooine, Sir Charles Mitchell, Karl of Carnarvon, Duka of Manchester, Sir Henry I'arkes, and Hon. John Lakey (president of Centennial Commission.) Thwre was a very large and fashionable assemblage present, and the speeches delivered were few and brief. His TCxeel'cncy then declared the Centennial Park to be dedicated and open to the public. Another salute of nineteen nuns was then fired, and cheers were called for the Governor and L:idy Carrington, the combined bands playing " God Save the Queen." The committee, to whom was entrusted tin? work of distributing tickets for food to the deserving poor have had a,busy time of it. No fewer than 11,000 tickets have been distributed since six o,clock yesterday morning. The applicants appear to bo mostly of the thrifty class of the. poor. The city was most brilliantly illuminated and decorated to-night, quite *urpa.-.si ig the display made on the occasion of the Jubilee festivities. George-street was lined with one hundred red Venetian masts, supporting tin endless lino of banners, heraldic shields being interspersed along the line, the whole being illuminated by large numbers of lanterns. Tin-en arches spanned the roadway at intervals, and lines of bunting were flying in George-street, Pitt-street, and other principal thoroughfares. The buildings were illuminated with niosl. intricate devices, showing a considerable expenditure in time and money, but the illuminations were, somewhat interfered with by tho breeze blowing. The tower of the General Post Office was adorned with arc lights, placed at an elevation of over 200 feet above the level of the street. In Oxford-street there were five wore arches with continuous festoons. On each side of the streets were coloured glass lamp--. The statues of Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, and Captain C-iok were garlanded with strings of lamps, and thousands of lamps were scattered among the trees and flow-'v; ia ':-,; Park, presenting a most attract! e, appearance. The Town Hall was similarly adorned, and was a perfect blazo of coloured lights and devices. Flags were flying from every pole, and from anything to which a flag could be tacked with advantage. All wheeled traffic was stopped in the central streets, which wore rendered quite impassable, the crowd lilling them all night. It is estimated that at least l>oo.ooo people were about the street:;. The shipping in harbour contributed very little to tin display, with the exception of discharging a few rockets, etc., the crews evidently preferring to reserve themselves for the haibour illuminations, which are to take place to-morrow night, and again on Wednesday evening. Between 800 and !)00 guests were present at the State banquet, for whom ample preparations were made, and which were car ried out in an excellent manner. At the head of the room a raised table was placed, which was occupied by some fifty notabilities. Lords, Governors, Premiers, and others. Sir Win. Jervois replied to the toast of the " Governor.?," his speech being devoted entirely to the aspect of colonial defence. He expressed regret that New Zealand Ministers were absolutely precluded by urgent public business from taking part in tho great celebration. He referred to his eleven years' connection with the defences of the colonies, and praised the readiness displayed by the several Colonial Parliaments in passing the Naval Defences Bill. They must not forget that it was highly essential that the commercial routes should be guarded as well as harbours. He spoke approvingly of the labours to that end made by the Karl of Carnarvon in his position as Chairman of the Defence Commission, and congratulated the colonies on the work they had done, and on the advanced state of their defences, which was a most important factor in the great work of federation, Portions of Sir William's speech, which was not a lengthy one, were loudly cheered. The press contains highly cnmplimentaiy notices on tlio centenary. The Daily News states that England's work in Australia has left an enduring mark for the future human race. London, January 25. The Daily Telegraph to-day, in an article on the Australian Centenary, states that the pioneers could never in their wildest dreams have conceived the wonderful progress made by Australia, and it was equally impossible to forecast the future of tins, the grandest of youthful nations. Christcmjuch, Thunlny. To-day is being observed as n close holiday on account of the Australian centenary, ill the banks, offices, shops, and schools being closed. Two hundred people were present at tho Australians' picnic at Lindsdown. The Hon. C, T. Peacock delivered an address reviewing tlui progress of Australia during the cmi-ury. A telegram of congratulation was sent to the Governor of New South Wales. THK LATKST. Htd.vky, January 1?7. The Centenary was generally c .■hihrated in the other colonies ye.sf.oril.iv, the day being set apart as a special holiday. Lord Carrington received si coiisrnitulivtory cubic from the Quo.?:), wlii-.:h was read at the banquet midst checs. Sir Hom-y Parkes presented Lord Cm-ingtoii with the first Centennial modal struck, and each of the other Governors are to be presented with one. Sir W. Fitzherbort, on behalf of New Zsaland, offered congratulations, and regretted tho unavoidable absence of the New Zealand Ministers. The banquet was a most brilliant affair, and lasted till midnight.