The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-02
COMMONWEALTH
OF AUSTRALIA
Earl Of IIopetoun Sworn
III as First Governor.
GREAT REJOICING.
Scores Of Thousands Participated in
the Demonstration.
| MESSAGE FROM QUEEN VICTORIA
Sends Expression of Her HeartfSae
Interest in the Inauguration of the
Commonwealth, and Wishes
for Increased Prosperity
of Her Loyal Subjects
in Australia
MESSAGE FROM QUEEN VICTORIA

SYDNEY. N S w. Jan. 1.-The Earl OF
First Governor of the Federated Austria
liam Colonies amidst scenes of pageantry
such us never before had been attempted
in the autipodes. Scores of thousands OF
people participated in the demonstration
and general joy marked the occasion
The rejoicing of the Commonwealth was
intensified by a. message which Queen
Victoria sent through the Colonial Secre-
tary, Joseph Chamberlain, and which was
read by the Earl of HopetoEn, as fol-
lows:
The Queen commands me to express
through YOU to the people of Australia
Her Majestys heartfelt interest in the
inauguration OF the Commonwealth and
her earnest wish that under Divine Proyi-
dence it may insure Increased prosperity
I and weIE-beins To her loyal and beloved
subjects III Australia. "
IN FULL UNIFORM
procession moved at 10 O'Clock down
the troop-iues avenue toward the Gov
ernment House. AS the center of thu.
procession halted at the Government
House. the Earl of IIopetouu, in full
Windsor uniform and wearing his orders.
emerged from the grounds in the State
carriage. with positions and outridrrs
=
South Wales E.ancers the Governor
General drove past the remainder of the
procession and took up position in the
rear.
The Governors arrival at the pavilion
was announced by artillery salutes and
the peStiins of Cathedral and other bells.
The various Chief Justices and Cabinet
officers We're awaiting him. and as soon
as the Earl of Hopetoun took up his po-
SItIon choir OF a thousand voices sang
20, God! our Help in Ages Past.
y SpecIa3 prayer oy the Archbishop fol-
lowed. After his commission tad BEEN
read the Earl of HopetOuu took the oath
OF office and sjgred it st 4 tahie watch
had been presented by the Queen. a ss-
Iute OF u guns. the playing of the M
tioual anthem by the massed bands, and
rCusIng cheers re-echOing among the hills
accompanied this act. Tue signature and
swearing in of the first Federal Ministers
followed
SENDS GREETING
The Earl of Ffopetoun briefly congrlt-
ui..ted the members of the Cabinet and
ttien read the Queens message. given
above. which evoked prolonged cheering.
This was followed by a second message
. follows:
Her Majesty's Governments send greet
ing 10 the Commonwealth of Australia.
Trey welcome her 10 her place among
the nations under Her Nljesty's sover-
elsnty and confidently anticipate for the
new federation future of ever increas-
ing prosperity and influence. Tuey recos-
nlze in the long desired consummation of
the hopes Of patriotic Australians Il fur
ther step in the direction of permanent
Crity of the British Empire and they
are satisfied with wider powers and re-
so0nSibilitieS hencefurrh secured Austria
La will give a fresh opportunity for a
display Of that generous loyalty and de-
votion to the Throne OF the Empire which
las characterized the action in the past
CT its several States
Three cheers were given for the Cover
ncr-GeneraI and another salute was fired
Ten thousand pupils of the public schools
sGnS the hymn Australia Fair" and thd
exercises were concluded by the ehSfr
singing q Te Deum, the '.Halteiujah
Chcrus' and God Save the Queen