PARIS EXHIBITION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2625, 9 May 1889, Page 2

PARIS EXHIBITION.

(r,Y KMCCTUIC TKLKWUI'II.— COI'YItifIHT). I'AHIS, Atiiy 11. Tjihliß was an enormous gathering to-day to witness tin; formal opening of the Exhibition.

At the Exhibition itself there was lout littlo ceremony.

The Fremiti! , , M. Tirard, delivered fin address, expressing the gratitude of France for the honour done lo her by foreign nations in assisting lo make the Exhibition superior to all preceding it. The President, in his speech, said the Exhibition marked the completion of a century of progress. He extended a hearty welcome to all their guests, and concluded by saying that these great festivals of labour enabled nations to approach and understand one another, and cement the peace of the world. President Carnot and M. Tirard made a tour of tho courts. They were received in the colonial portion of the building by Sir G. Berry, Sir F. D Dell', and Mr Braddon, Agent-General of Tasmania. May 7. The Exhibition fairly advances towards completion. Tho British court is tr.ore attractive than those of the other European countries. Sir F. Dillon, in the absence of Sir Polydoro Dokeyser, through illness, welcomed President Carnot to the British court on behalf of the English Executive Commissioners. Sir Graham Berry, Sir Walter Buller, Mr E. O. Braddon and other colonial delegates were ranged on the right hand side of the court, and the British delegates on the left hand side. Sir Dillon Bell, speaking in French, offered France the best wishes of England, and assured sympathy in her undertakings. President Carnot, warmly shaking hands with Sir Dillon Bell, eulogised the splendid display made \<y tho British exhibitors, and said he thanked England and her colonies most sincerely for their exertions in endeavouring to make the Exhibition a .success. He also thanked the English and colonial delegates for the generous welcome they had given him to the British court. He promised to make an early inspection of the court. London, May 7. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph relates some amusing incidents in connection with the opening of the Paris Exhibition in which several colonial delegates figured. The French police in one case thinking Sir F. D. Bell had no right in the British court, ordered him to leave and threatened lo expel him from the buildings. Sir Dillon defied the officers and dared them to touch him, and the police shortly after discovering their mistake the matter ended. Another colonial commissioner who was surprised in the act of changing his kilts in a room attached to the British section, was oidered by the police to leave on the ground that he was undressed. Ho refused and cried for help, and was ultimately rescued by some Englishmen, who forced the. police to retire.