The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-04
AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.
This Colonial Government Organized.
First e Sworn I'm Amid
Great Rejoicing OF n People

| sydney, ~ D. W.. Jd0uaTy Line
earl of Hopetoun was today sworn in
las the first governor Of the Federated
Australian Colonies. amidst scenes Of
lpageantry such as never before a
been attempted in the Antipodes.
Scores of thousands of people partici-
Ipated In the demonstration and general
joy marked the The rejoic-
ling Of the commonwealth was intensi-
fed by a message which Queen Veto
ria sent through the colonia secretary
Joseph Chamberlain. and which was
read by the earl of H~opetoun, as fol-
lows:
THE queen commands me to express
Through you to the people Of Australia,
her majesty's heartfelt interest in the
inauguration of the commonwealth
and earnest wish that under Divine
prosperity and well-being to her loyal
and beloved subjects in Australia"
A procession moved at 10 O'Clock
down the troop-lined route toward the
government house. AS the centre Of
the procession halted at the govern
lment house, the earl of Hopetoun in
full Windsor uniform and wearing his
orders, emerged from the grounds in
the state carriages with positions and
loutriderS, all in state liveries.
Escorted by the New South Wales
Lancers, the governor general drove
past h remainder CT the procession
and took up a position in the rear. q.
The governors arrival at the pavilion
was announced by artillery salutes
and the pealing of cathedral and other
bells. The various chief justices and
cabinet officers were awaiting him and
as soon as the earl Of Hopetoun took
up his position a choir of a thousand
voices sang, 90 God. Our Help in Ages
Past"
A special prayer by the archbishop
followed. After his commission had
been read the earl of Hopetoun took
the oath Of office and signed it at a
table which had been presented by the
queen. A salute of twenty-one guns,
the playing of the national anthem by
the massed bands and rousing cheers
~re-echoing among the hills, accompa-
MED this act. The signature and
swearing in of the first federal minis
tiers followed.
The earl Of Hopetoun briefly congrat-
ulated h members of the cabinet and
then read the queens message, given
above, which evoked prolonged cheer
ing. This was followed by a second
message, as follows.
Her majesty's government sem
cordial greeting to the commonwealth
of Australia They welcome her to her
place among the nations united under
her majesty's sovereignty and conf
IDENTIFY anticipate FOL the new fedora
ton a future of ever-increaSing pros
lperity n influence. They recognize
in the long desired contamination Of
the hopes of patriotic Australians q
further step in the direction or perma-
nent unity Of the British empire AND
they are satisfied that with wider pow.
Iers and responsibilities henceforth Sc
lcured to Australia it will give g. fresl
opportunity for a display of that sen.
leroHs loyalty and devotion to tn,
Throne of the empire which has charac
lterized h action in the past of its sew
leral states"
Three cheers were given for the gov
lernor general and another salute wa;
fired. Ten thousand pupils of the pub
lie schools sang the hymns. "Australi;
Fair" and the proceedings were con
lcluded by the choir singing a TIE Deum
the halleujah chorus and God Saw
the Queen"