The following is an excerpt from The Brisbane Courier on 22 February, 1892.
(SUBHEAD)
The Governor at the Stanthorpe Show
Today was the opening day of the fifteenth annual exhibition of the Border Agricultural, Horticultural, Pastoral, and Mining Society, and I have much pleasure in noting that the show, though in some respects inferior to some of its predecessors, is on the whole a most gratifying success.
The weather so far has been perfect-warm and dry, but sufficiently bracing to make a very agreeable change from Brisbane.
A thunderstorm accompanied by a rainfall of ninety points visited the town on Monday and freshened up the grass, which had commenced to feel the effects of the previous long spell of dry weather.
His Excellency the Governor had promised to open the show, and in anticipation of his visit somewhat more attention than usual had been bestowed on the
decorations.
Flags of all nations were arranged along the entire front of the society’s grounds, while above the entrance was a large scroll bearing the inscription, “Welcome to Stanthorpe.”
This gave a very attractive appearance to the grounds of the society.
The railway station had also been tastefully decorated with the view of offering a suitable welcome to the representative of her Majesty.
The special train that was to bring his Excellency had been timed to reach Stanthorpe at 11.
Owing, however, to the morning Brisbane train being late the vice-regal train did not reach here till half-past 11.
His Excellency was received at the station by the chairman (Mr. W. H. M’Quaker) and the members of the Stanthorpe Divisional Board, and presented with an address of welcome, which was read by the clerk.
He was then conducted to the goods-shed, on the veranda of which the State school children had been drawn up under the superintendence of Mr. Wilson,
the head teacher.
As soon as the Governor had taken his place in front of the line the little people sang the National Anthem, after which be gave them a short address and
begged for them an extra day’s holiday.
The request was acknowledged by ringing cheers for Sir Henry Norman, Lady Norman,and family.
The vice-regal party, accompanied by Mr. Foxton, the member for Carnarvon, were then driven to the local hospital, which they inspected, and with which they expressed themselves to be much pleased.
The party then went to the show grounds, where his Excellency was received by the president (Mr. Foxton) and the two vice-presidents (Messrs. W. H. M’Quaker and A. H. E. Barton), and presented with an address on the part of the society.
His Excellency then declared the show open.
