THE CENTENARIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2509, 9 August 1888, Page 2

THE CENTENARIES.

[Bv Electric Telegraph.—Cop vuioht.l Melhoukne, August 7. At a banquet last night Riven by His j Worship the Mayor all the Governors were present. Sir William Jurvuis regretted that owing to Parliament being in session, none of the New Zealand Ministers were able to be present. Melbourxk, August 8. Sailed : Manapouri for Bluff. His Excellency, Sir Win Jervois, is a passenger. His Excellency was accompanied aboard the steamer by Sir Jas. Hector, and a number of prominent New Zealanders now visiting Melbourne, and was entertained at luncheon aboard tlie steamer by Sir Jas. Hector. In returning thanks for the toast to his health. His Excellency said the New Zealand Court held an admirable position among the other colonies. THE NEW ZEALAND MINING EXHIBITS. Melbourne, August 8. This afternoon a meeting ol the New Zealand Exhibition Commissioners and others was held to consider the adverse criticism by the New Zeaaland Herald's special correspondent on the mineral exhibits which had appeared in the " Argus" this morning in a cable message from Now Zealand. Seventy gentlemen were present, Mr Louisson, Mayor of Christchurch, in the chair. After a discussion a resolution was passed expressing satisfaction at all the arrangements and affirming that the criticism of the Herald's correspondent was premature. Wklmngtos, Wednesday. The Government telegraphed to Sir J. Hector as to the report condemning the mining exhibits in the New Zealand Court it the Melbourne Exhibition, and received tlio following reply :—" Report emanated from speculator here (Melbourne). Minerals not yet fully displayed. Will have complete representation. General opinion very favourable. Our own correspondent writes from Melbourne :—Two subjects—and two only— have over-shadowed Melbourne during the last week, and they are the Budget and the Exhibition. The Premier's announcement •>f his million surplus, and the fact of the opening day of the Exhibition being now so close at hand, have quite monopolised public attention. As I heard a member express it in the lobby of the House a few evenings back, " You see the two are clnsely related. Mr Gillies, you know, makes a kind of exhibition of his Budget, whilst as to the opening day, the Commissioners, you see, refuse to budge it "—referring of course to the anticipated postponement. A very weak joke, indeed, and unworthy the reputation for wit of the member for East Melbourne. However, it is true enough. Melbourne has been talking of nothing eUe but these two things for the week past, and so I myself cannot do bettor than follow the general lead, and devote a few paragraphs to these two all-impoitant topics. And as to the Exhibition itself. Wednesday is the openihg day, and already the Brat ripples of the excitement are agitating Melbourne's thousands. I could only wish that the preparations were further advanced, but owing to mismanagement on the part oF the Executive, and blameable delay on the part of the exhibitors, the whole of the arrangements are strangely behind time. The building still looks barn-like and empty. Three-quarters of the exhibits are not yet properly placed, and the dirt and litter and general confusion is beyond conception. It is a thousand pities that there should be such culpable pmcrastination all round, for it will greatly mitigate against the success of the opening ueremony. However, we must take things as they are, and hope for the best. There are still a few days' respite, aod the work goes on night and day, so that I am still in hopes to see a partial transformation before the all eventful Wednesday dawns upon us. Numberless official and public functions are on the tapis to follow tlieopening ceremony, and just to show into what a vortex of gaiety Melbourne will be plunged, I will note a few. On the evening of the opening day the Governor gives a large dinner in the ballroom of Government House. The following evening an invitation concert will be given in the Exhibition. Friday following another dinner at Government House. Saturday, the Speaker, on behalf of Parliament, gives a banquet. Then the Mayor folbws suit in the Town Hall. Next Tuesday a ball at Government House ; the day after Sir James AlcUain, President of the Exhibition, entertains in the Concert Hall. After that comes the official functions, given by the President of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the Assembly, and finally Lady Loch gives another ball at Government House. All these of course are by way of welcome to the distinguished visitors who have come to see the show, and so whatever will be said, it cannot but be admitted that this Melbourne of ours is going to do the thing right royally as regards entertaining her guests.