, 1891-03-04
THE OPENING OF THE JAMAICA
EXHIBITION.

Yesterday the international Exhibition Of
Jamaica was opened, amid public rejoicings
and appropriate ceremonial, by. His Royal
Highness Prince George of Wales. The event
which everyone in the island has been looking
forward to with such eager expectation for
months has thus come to pass at last: a Royal
hand has thrown open the doors Of our great
undertaking, and Jamaica is showing to the
world what she can accomplish within her own
borders.
Yesterday morning dawned fair, clear and
cold-so cold that people shivered as they
rose, and Europeans thought of the cold
springmornings at home. But as the sun rose,
the usual tropical warmth blthed the land,
and the scene, everywhere, became one of
the fairest. An ideal morning passed into an
ideal day. 1t was indeed a very pretty sight to
look out on the harbour, calm as glass, with
the British and forci. a warsaips lying in their
different positions, and the numerous other
vessels and steamers along the wharves, all
flying their colours and each a mass Of bril-
liant flags. The Guy, too, was gay with
colour. Flags flew everywhere, bright arches
spanned the streets, AID the population in
thousands, walked to and fro, or look up their
positions along the route to be ,raycrsca by
the Prince.
1t being apublic holiday by proclamation Of
the Governor, the stores were shut, but every
coign of vantage on the route was utilised
yerandahs, balconies, piazzas. every spot where
there was a good view and standing-r0om-by
the proprietors, their friends or tie general
public. Every person was dressed in the
gayest of colours, the sun shone brilliantly on
a thousand glittering points and the scenes
that met one as he pcrambulatcd the streets
were attractive in the extreme. There was
perhaps a little too much colour, the houses
- E1
crowds III the streets were masses Of Harie-
gated colours, the sir was abIaze with colour
from arches and flags and strings Of banners.
and interpenetrating all was the clear brilliant
sunshine from the tropical sun.
The decorations We're very pretty along the
route, and the chief Of these were the arches.
most of which had been erected by the city.
They were simple erectioHs, consisting Of
a single large arch covered with red cloth
and ornamented with a c|ircrlar pattern in
gold towards the base. On the top were ar
ranged flowers and plants, with banne-
rets, and around the foot of the pillars
were grouped masses Of green vegetation Of a
Enthusiastically tropical appearance. There
were palms, ~crotons, bananas, ETC., etc. Round
the arch against the red cloth were notices
which che who ran might read Over that at
the Market Wharf were the words, The
Shades Of Rodney Welcome You" Over the
arch between Messrs. Lyons store and Mr..
'Malabre's were the words Welcome Prince
George with the effgy of a sailor on the
apex. Over the arch opposite the Mayors
Office was the following-"Welcome Prince
George of Wales" On the arch at Lower
Duke Street was the legend, Kingston
Welcomes You" and at Upper Duke Street,
Right hearty Welcome" The private arch
erected by Messrs. Recuero & Coy. &
Mr.. ..DaCosta between their premises was a
very handsome. one. It was surrounded by
a Royal Crown, with Prince of Wales
Feathers beneath and bordered with flags
on all sides, Suspended from the arch was
an electric arc lamp, which was lit last night,
and illuminated the arch in a pretty manner.
The base of each Of the pillars was a mass
of tropical plants. The notices here were
Welcome our sailor Prince and "We hail
thy visit" The Town Hall entrance was
draped and a motto was erected consisting
of the words "God bless the Prince of Wales"