Sydney’s Birth Is Re-Enacted

Northern Advocate, 26 January 1938, Page 5

Sydney’s Birth Is Re-Enacted

*f~ dted Press Association. — I3y Flectru Telepi aph. — Copyright .3 (Received 3 p.mj SYDNEY. This Day,

The, spectacular aspect of the 150th anniversary celebrations commenced this morning with a pageant depicting the landing of Governor Philip at Farm Ccve.

Shortly before 8.30 the ship “Supply” was seen approaching the beach. She anchored 100 yards from the shore. | Aborigines in the domain staged aj corroboree. and were put to flight as | the first boat from the "Supply” j reached the beach. i

Then Governor Philip landed from the second boat, and took possession of the land in the name of King G orge 111. He, briefly addressed the gathering, telling of the perils of the voyage from the Homeland. Following the roll of drums, the flag was hoisted. Picturesque Ceremony. The actors participating in (this event all wore costumes of 150 years ago. and made a picturesque ceremony realistic and full of interest. Every detail was carefully planned.

The landing was accomplished without a hitch. The highlight of the day, however, was a monster procession through the streets, which commenced at 10 a.m. One hundred beautifullydecorated floats participated. They showed every aspect of a young nation’s life from the time of its birth to the present day. 0

City Aflame with Colour.

Aflame with colour and seething with life, Sj'dney—all ready for her epochal birthday to-morrow—awoke to-day to the crash of naval guns as salutes were exchanged between the eight visiting warships as they steamed into the harbour.

Crowds of people watched the stately ships move to their moorings. The first of the grey advancing squadron was the New Zealand cruiser Achilles, which glided unostentatiously to her berth at Woolloomooioo. Then came the French sloop Regault cle Genouilly, the Italian cruiser Montccuccoli, tne Dutch sloop Flores, and finally, after a short interval, the American squadron, Trenton, Memphis,, Louisville and Milwaukee. Another Stirring Spectacle. Within an hour of berthing, the commanders of the warships came ashore to pay the customary official calls, and the officers and sailors were mingling with the crowds in the streets.

An equally stirring spectacle was f/ie arrival of the five Royal Air Force flying-boats, with an escort from the Royal Australian Air Force and naval aeroplanes. As they swept over the city, flying in V formation, the traffic came to a standstill and crowds gazed toward the sky at one of the largest flotillas of aircraft ever seen at one time over the harbour. Memorable Sight, The visiting flying-boats soon landed. but the Air Force machines, supplemented by 10 seaplanes catorpaulted from the American cruisers, conto soar over the city and suburbs in perfect formation, providing a memorable and Impressive sight—a fitting curtain-raiser to to-morrow’s notable pageant.

City Crowded,

The city last night was crowded with people of all ages, and from all parts of the Empire and other empires. Naval officers and ratings and, indeed, a surprising number of foreigners, were abroad, taking a lively interest in the illuminations, which are on an elaborate scale, making a vast blaze of colour, with here and there large and small bejewelled crowns and coats of arms.

There are millions of coloured light?, flags and pennants. Traffic congestion was very great and wild probably be much worse to-night. Carpenters are still busily engaged putting on final touches to the decorations and erecting baricades to windows and at entrances to business houses. The weather last night was fine and mild, with no immediate prospect of rain to spoil to-day’s “March of Nationhood.” Trains Crammed to Doors, Railways and tramways were unable to cope with the rush of people into the city. Trains on various suburban lines wpre crammed to the doors before half their journey to the city was completed, and thousands of people jamming stations nearer to the city wore unable to get aboard. Preceding the main procession was n smaller one. comprising: the Empire Games athletes, riding in cars and lorries. Spectators cheered wildly as both processions passed.