SPHINXES IN WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 45, 23 February 1939, Page 12

SPHINXES IN WELLINGTON

(To the Editor.) Sir, —"An Onlooker" makes no exaggeration in -describing Wellingtonians as Sphinxes^ en masse. 1 recall the one and only occasion on which I was present in ;a procession—actually a parade. We were.-a band of returned soldiers shortly ai'ier the war en route from the Government Building to Newtown Park. Our marching and general carriage may not have been of the best — for most of us were still feeling the effects of the years in the trenches, exposure, and wounds. But we swung our arms^as well as we could and kept in step. Along the Quay, Willis,. Manners, and Cuba Streets we marched between packed lines of onlookers—all mute and stolid. It was as though we were invaders instead of survivors of "the flower of our nation's manhood" —the popular description of an earlier march past! The chilly reception was broken at the corner of Cuba and Vivian Streests as we rounded the bend. An elderly lady with tears in her eyes shouJted out and, her voice carried in the 'Stillness broken only by tramping feetc "Will nobody give our boys a cheer? Then I will! Hip ray! Hip ray! Hip ray!" Nobody joined her. The re^; of the parade to Newtown Park was as silent as the tomb. —I am, etc., ESPERANTO BERT.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I was interested in "Onlooker's" comments regarding the Wellington people who lined the streets to 'watch the procession pass nn Saturday, jmorning. I was an onlooker also, and jl do not think I am far wrong when I say that the majority of the people who turned out so splendidly as an encouragement to those taking part in the procession were the working class. Saturday morning is usually busy, and after I had prepared, cooked, and served breakfast to a family of four, I hastened to dress a small son who was also taking part in the procession; bustled about to do some more housework, rushed to get dressed to get into town to do necessary weekend shopping, and then to find a suitable position (and a little shelter from the blustering gale that was blowing) to watch the procession pass. Perhaps it was anxiety that stopped many a housewife from shouting and clapping, and I saw many like myself there carrying parcels—anxiety that they must be home and have a hot luncheon ready on time. Then as to having' no feelings: in the hearts of many of the lookers-on the march past reminds many of a loved one who marched bravely by, but would never again march along our citj streets. "Those dumb, stony cold creatures who look on"—what are your thoughts as you stand in the blustering gale to do your bit for Physical Fitness Week?—l am, etc., A MORE UNDERSTANDING j ONLOOKER.