SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21136, 19 March 1932, Page 11

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE.

CROWDS OF VISITORS. OPENING CEREMONY TO-DAY CITY GAILY BEDECKED. 9 BUILDINGS ILLUMINATED. WARSHIPS IN VICINITY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received March IP. 11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, March IP. Sydney is crowded with visitors for the opening to-morrow of the harbour bridge. Special trains from tlie southern and northern States brought thousands more people to the city to-day. Souvenirs are being sold everywhere, mostly replicas of the bridge. The weather, which was bad earlier in the week, has improved and there are now good prospects of a glorious day to-morrow, as promised by the meteorologist. Thousands of flags are fluttering on the bridge, at the approaches to which special •stands have been erected for the official ceremony and reception of distinguished visitors. Worships are moored in full view of the bridge and large liners, bedecked with bunting, arc close by. Most of the tall buildings in the city are flood-lighted | and the, lowers of some of the large de- | partniental buildings are decorated in | honour of the occasion. ! The police force has been augmented j to deal with the influx of undesirable j characters who have gathered for the two- ; fold purpose of seeing the bridge opened and attending the racing carnival. SAFETY OF PREMIER. RUMOURS IN LONDON. AGENT-GENERAL'S MESSAGE. (Received March 19. 12.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 18. The following cablegram was received today from the Agent-General of New South Wales in London, Mr. A. C. Willis, by the Chief Secretary, Mr. M. Gosling:— " In the House of Commons on Tuesday evening a section of the members interested in Australian affairs held a secret meeting and discussed the opening of the Sydney Harbour bridge. It was stated at the meeting that the movement led by Colonel Eric Campbell (the new Guard) intended to seize the Premier, Mr. Lang, and throw him into the river. " I mosfc strongly urge you to take every precaution to protect the Premier and save the State from this disgraceful j act."Mr. Willis says he obtained his information from an unimpeachable source. He is prepared to stake his life on it. He says the meeting referred to included a numper of ■ persons (not necessarily all members of Parliament) interested in Australian affairs. A certain person supplied him with the information without Mr. Willis having approached him. He could not disclose the identity of his informant. The message has been referred to the Commissioner of Police. NEW GUARD'S DECISION. NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. STATEMENT BY LEADER. (Received March 19, 12.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 18. The question on everybody's lips to-day and for the past week was: Would the New Guard carry out- its threat to prevent Mr. Lang opening the Harbour Bridge ? Colonel Eric Campbell, leader of the New Guard, who has been exceedingly reticent for the past few days, issued an official announcement to-night saying: " The Council of Action of the New Guard, having carefully *e6nsidered the whole position, has determined that no action should be taken in connection with the bridge-opening ceremony. This decision was largely influenced by important developments now pending in Canberra." AMERICAN MESSAGES. CONGRATULATORY TONE. | i " A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT." (Received March 18. 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 17. The Governor of New York, Mr. Franklin Roosevelt., on behalf of the people of tho State, has sent tho following message to tho Government of New South Wales: —"I felicitate the peopls of Australia on the completion of the great Sydney Harbour bridge. The citizens of tho port of New York can readily share in tho high aspirations of this great achievement. "Wc are familiar with the planning, toil, anxiety and vision which are part of such a colossal venture. Dawes Point and Milson's Point are geographically remote from the people of New York, but the great arch which now spans them is a close and familiar symbol of progress. "We rejoice with the people of Australia on the completion of this new landmark of modern civilisation." The chairman of tho Port of New York Authority, Mr. Galvin, in a congratulatory message says: " The bridge which is about to bo placed in public service is ono of tho engineering accomplishments of the present day. A really significant feature in the completion of tho Bayonne and Sydney Harbour bridges is that two such related projects of a major nature should have been successfully carried through simultaneously by countries half the world apart. "It is indeed a pleasure to extend to the Government and people of New South Wales tho compliments of the State agency of which I have the honour to be chairman." The Mayor of New York, Mr. J. Walker, has sent a message saying: "It is indeed a pleasure to take this opportunity to extend, on behalf of the people of the city of New York, our heartiest greetings and congratulations to the people of Sydney on the occasion of the opening of the Sydney Harbour bridge."