SYDNEY PREPARES

Grey River Argus, 6 August 1937, Page 6

SYDNEY PREPARES

150th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS. SYDNEY, July 27. The construction of floats for the street pageant, “Australia’s Marcn to Nationhood,” which will be the principal spectacular event on the opening day of Australia's 150th Anniversary Celebrations, has begun. The floats will be built upon a new design which will enable tnem to be constructed in sections and assembled just before the opening uay. Accommodation to enable this to be carried out has been secured, and experts will be at work this week. The Minister in charge of the celebrations, Mr. Dunningham, yesterday said that the pageant would not only be the greatest, but it would also be the most impressive spectacle of its kind yet seen in Australia. During the past few weeks a complete survey of the co-operating organisations had been completed. Local authorities presenting floats in the pageant wno had so far definitely selected their units were Ashfield, Burwood, Canterbury, Liechhardt, Mascot, Petersham, Randwick, Sutherland, Waverley, and Woolahra. Many other municipalities were to determine their action within the next week or two. A number of floats would be contributed by prominent instrutions and associations. Apart from the floats there would be a large number of symbolical and historical units and about 16 bands would take part, added Mr. Dunningham. Entries for the competition fop artists’ working designs for floats in the pageait, which were called by advertisment last week, will be received by the general organising secretary, Commonwealth Bank Chambers up to August 3. Ample care, said Mr. Dunningham, would be taken Qf visitors in the way of entertainment both day and night. In addition to many formal functions there would be the Lord Mayor’s ball as the first item of a long series of evening events, including a State Government dinner, Lord Mayor’s reception to distinguished people, the 1 official services ball, the Queen’s Club ball, Pioneer ball in period costume, reception to distinguished women visitors, United Services dinner, and many others. Following upon his statement at the official opening of the new narbour showboat that he could see no more harm in selling liquor on such a boat than in hotels ashore, the Minister for Labour and Industry, Mr. Dunningham, in reviewing additional arrangements in connection with the 150th. Anniversary Celebra-, tions, said last night there was nothing to fear on the score of the night life of Sydney during the celebrations period. He added: “There will be plenty of color throughout, and in 'addition to the events on the official programme, there are already ample evidences that special attractions will be presented in the professional world.” Mr. Dunningham made no direct reference to the proposal recently made that the Government shouia license hotel lounges for after-hours drinking on account of the celebrations. Yesterday the Premier, Mr. Stevens accompanied Canon Hammond on a visit of inspection to Hammondville, and, in view of the fact that the latter has been an uncompromising critic of the after-hours drinking proposal, the Premier’s visit was regarded in political circles as being not without significance. But, perhaps, Mr. Stevens proposes to base his previous housing scheme on Hammondville! Included in the party of inspection was Sir Frederick Stewart. M.H.R.