Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-01
AUSTRALASIA
GREAT FEDERATION OF BRITISH
COLONIES GIVEN AN IMPOS-
ING INAUGURAL.

Sydney, n S. W., Jan. 1.-The Earl
OF HOpetoun was today sworn in as the
nrst governor of the federated Austria
nan colonies. amid scenes of pageantry
SUCH as was never before seen in the
lAntipodes. Scores of thousands of peO-
pie participated in the demonstra ton.
The rejoicing of the commonwealth was
intensified by message from Queen
Victoria. sent through the colonial sec
rotary, Joseph Chamberlain, and which
was read by the Earl of Hopetoun, as
follows:
- 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
her earnest wish that under Divine
Providence it may insure increased
prosperity and we'll being to her loyal
and beloved subjects in Australia
The weather for such an occasion was
not of the best but it did not deter i'm
mense crowds from throngng the
streets from an early hour. A process
sion, formed of ministers, officers. JUS
tees. clergy, members of trades unions
and all kinds of societies, allegorlcal
cars, colonial, Indian and imperial troops
and blue jackets, moved at 10 O'Clock
down the troop-lined route towards the
government house. Stands which had
been erected at every available spot were
thronged with sightseel's The fooVWays
were packed with enthusiastic thous-
ands gay summer dresses lending Vafl-
city to the secene las the center OF Hhe
procession halted AT the government
house. the Earl of Hopetoun in full
Windsor uniform and wearing his orders.
emerged from the grounds in the state
carriage with postillions and outsiders.
all in state liveries. Escorted Wy the
new South Wales Lancers, the governor
then drove past the remainder of the
procession and took up a position in the
rear. AS he passed each station the
band played the national anthem in
which the crowd Joined.
Shortly after noon the procession en-
tered the park. into which thousands of
the public followed, swelling the multi
tude that had already assembled on the
hills which formed vast amphitheatre
overlooking the pavilion which had been
erected for the ceremonies. A magnifi-
cent sight was presented by the iteeming
humanity~on surrounding eminences
The governors arrival at the pavilion
was announced by an artillery salute
and the pealing of cathedral and other
officers, We're awaiting him and as soon
as the Earl of Hopetoun took up his po-
sition, a choir of thousand voices sang
"Oh, 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 ia
BILE which had been presented by the
queen. A salute of 81 guns, the playing
of the national anthem the massed
bands and rousing cheers accompanied
this act. The signing and swearing in of
the first federal ministers followed.
The Earl of Hopetoun briefly con-
graduated the members of the cabinet
and then read the queens message given
above, which evoked prolonged cheer
ing. This was followed by second
message as follows:
Her majestys government sends cor
dial greetings to the commonwealth of
Australia. They welcome her to her place
among the nations united under her ma
jestys sovereignty and confidently an
ticipate for the new administration a flu
ture of ever increasing prosperity and in
fiuence. They recognize in the long de-
sired consumation the hopes of patriotic
| Australians further step in the direc-
ton of permanent unity of the British
empire, and they are satisfied the wider
powers and responsibilities henceforth
secured to Australia will give fresh OPP
portunity for the display of that gener-
Gus loyalty and devotion to the throne of
the empire which has characterized the
action in the past of it's several States"
Three cheers We're given for the gov
ernOr and tn national salute was fired.
The ceremonies were concluded by the
choir singing God Save the Queen" The
Earl of Hopetoun was the recipient of
numerous messages from the various
colonies.