Summary

Section of The Australian Sketcher, no.78, vol. VI, Adelaide edition, Saturday 15 March 1879, pp. 197-202, published by G.N. & W.H. Birks, Adelaide.

Pages 198-99 include an article describing the laying of the Foundation Stone for the (Royal) Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens. Governor Sir George Bowen officiated at the ceremony that took place on 19 February 1879; it was one of the last acts he performed as governor. At the end of February 1879, Sir George left the colony after almost six years to become the governor of Mauritius (1879-1882) and subsequently Hong Kong (1882-86) before retiring from the civil service. Perhaps because of this, exhibition commissioners had issued almost 2,000 invitations to various representatives guests, boosting the numbers in attendance alongside the general public. The huge crowds that gathered to watch the event are well illustrated in this edition of the newspaper.

Physical Description

The text only article begins on p. 198 is text only. It describes the scene depicted on the cover illustration of this edition of the Australasian Sketcher. Pages 200-01 consist of a double-page of illustrations depicting scenes from the recent devastating bush fires around Colac, Victoria, in February, 1879. Page 179 consists of a series of six vignette illustrations depicting views at Astrolabe Gulf, New Guinea.

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