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OPENING OF THE NEW PALM-
HOUSE IN BOTANIC GARDEN.
The ceremony of opening this new Palm-
house, a description of which appeared
in yesterday's issue of the Journal, was
performed by Lady Musgrave on Monday
afternoon, January 22, in the presence of
between 300 and 400 spectators, a great many
of whom comprised the elite of the city.
The Directorate of the Garden was represented
by the Hon. W. Everard, M.L.C., Mr. W.
Cavenagh, MP., and Doctors Wyatt and Davies.
Her Ladyship was accompanied by His Excellency
the Governor and his Private Secretaiy,
and amongst the remainder of those present
were the Speaker of the House of Assembly (Sir
G. S. Kingston, M.P.), the Treasurer (Hon. R.
D. Ross), the Attorney-General (Hon. J. C.Bray),
the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Hon. J. Carr),
and Mr. G. C. Hawker, M.P. Dr. Schomburgk (the
Curator of the Garden) was unfortunately unable
to witness the opening ceremony, as he was
still suffering from rheumatic gout; but Mrs.
Schomburgk was present with several members of
the family. Immediately upon the arrival of the
viceregal party at the Palm-house the Concordia
Band, which was stationed in the purlieus, played
the National Anthem, after which Her Ladyship
was handed the key of the house, and the party
proceeded inside to inspect it. Many and loud
were the expressions of surprise and eulogy
bestowed upon the arrangement of the interior,,
and deep regret was manifested that Dr.
Schomburgk had not been able to be present.
The inspection having been concluded Lady
Musgrave returned to the terrace, and declared
the house to be opened. Addressing the assem-
blage she said:—"Gentlemen—I have always had
a great desire to see this beautiful building—
this fairy palace—completed before I should
leave the colony, and to this pleasure which I
have to-day your kindness has added another—
that of being myself associated, in ever so slight
a degree, with its completion; that some small
remembrance of me should cling around the
place which I now have the honour to declare
open to the public. This splendid palm
house has crowned our gardens with a
beauty—I may say a magnificence—which
all Adelaide will appreciate with pride,
in which pride Dr. Schomburgk, who has carried
out the design with unwearied zeal, even amid
serious illness, cannot fail to participate. That
South Australia may long enjoy this palm-
house —thees gardens—and the inestimable
advantages of Dr. Schomburgk's skilful direction
of them, is my earnest parting wish."
Three cheers for Her Ladyship were called
for, and most heartily responded to, and the
same compliment having been paid to His
Excellency the assemblage dispersed.
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