SYDNEY BRIDGE OPENING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21143, 29 March 1932, Page 6

SYDNEY BRIDGE OPENING.

WONDERFUL PAGEANT. GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY. MANY MEMORABLE SCENES. [from our own .correspondent.] SYDNEY, March C 4. For one great and glorious day Sydney, last Saturday, forgot the depression—forgot everything but the great and magnificent bridge which stretches across its worldfamed harbour. It. worshipped at the shrine of the vast steel structure and made the occasion easily the most memorable in its romantic history. The people in their thousands joined in a merry carnival, the like of which has not been seen before south of the line: the like of whioh may never be seen again. It is estimated that 750,000 saw the magnificent pageant that passed through the city and over the bridge to the North Shore, and as the trams carried more than 1,000.000 people that day the estimate cannot be far from the mark. So great was the concourse that the trams and the trains, unassisted by the buses were quite inadequate, and there was a serious breakdown in the transport system at a very early hour. But the people showed remarkable patience, in keeping with the occasion, and it was not long before the authorities, who had been to some extent taken by surprise, had the situation in band. It was a tribute to the system that not one serious traffic accident was reported during the whole day. Nearly 500 Cases of Fainting, The crush of people along the route of the procession can hardly be imagined and is difficult to describe. Sydney's population of more than 1,000,000 had been augmented by the arrival of thousands from the country, from other States, and from New Zealand. It is not surprising that in that vast multitude there were some who were unable to stand the strain of the long wait they had imposed upon themselves. There were three deaths, due, no doubt, to over-excitement ?nd exhaustion, and nearly 500 cases of fainting that called for the assistance of ambulance officers who had been placed at regular intervals all along the route. Women and children suffered severely in some of the crushes that occurred, and

there was some screaming and crying at the more congested points. However, ready assistance was always forthcoming for those in distress, and so the day passed on in all its glory; truly, a day of days. It was a pageant worth seeing; worth the hours of discomfort which the dreary waiting entailed. In glittering legend and symbolism; in beautiful living figures; in gorgeous flowers; the gigantic tableau told the progress of the State from the far-off days of the first settlement, on the shores" of Sydney Cove, at the head of which is the berthing places of the scores of ferries that for so many years have been a feature of Sydney. Foremost in the great procession was a little army of the State's sturdy childhood —boys and girls drawn from all over New South Wales —aglow with the joyful spirit of the hour—a wonderfully impressive picture of a young democracy's goodly and proud heritage. The pageant was splendidly conceived and faultlessly carried out. It was a colourful spectacle, symbolical of the life.of the State in all its phases. But, as was fitting. Youth led the way across the Bridge. Legend and Symbolism.

Sydney will not. easily forget _ those marvellous floats that formed so important a part of the land pageant. They •were constructed on" a scale more elaborate than anticipated and their wealth of colour left the ciowds enthralled. First in historical sequence came Captain Cook and a model of the Endeavour. The onlookers recognised immediately the story that that float unfolded, in rich colourings, of the landing, not so many years ago, at Botany Bay. Other floats portrayed the heroic figure of Governor Phillip, Governor Macquarie, the early explorers, the veterans of many wars, trade and industry, and important epochs in Australian history.

The ceremonial at the bridge head suffered because .the speeches were too long, but everything was effectively arranged as though some master hand was in charge. Politics were forgotten and cheers were given for the Premier, Mr. Lang, as he stepped from his car to perform the historic ceremony. Except that the Premier had to cut a ribbon that had just previously been dragged in the dust, the whole function proceeded without a hitch. Aviators' Thrilling Display. After the magnificent procession had passed the official stand all eyes were turned on the harbour to witness the procession of vessels under the bridge and the display provided by the brightly decorated yachts and the speed-boats. Then overhead came the roaring of more than 20 aeroplanes, swooping down to the high arch and thrilling the crowd with,a remarkable display of aerobatics. Even when all was over the crowd was loth to leave; and, in fact, did riot leave but joined in a continuous procession for the long trek over the bridge and its approaches. So much had been said of the magnificence of the view to be obtained from the bridge that the whole of Sydney was anxious to see for itself. And no one was disappointed. From the wide sidewalks a magnificent panorama of the city and harbour can be obtained, and it is no wonder that the bridge has already developed into one of the most popular -walks in Sydney. From the bridge on the afternoon thousands gazed on the regatta and on an even more brilliant aerial display. The latter included an aerial atinrk on Fort Donison, in the centre of the harbour. Thrill followed thrill, but the end of a great day did not come .with tiie setting of the sun. The Harbour By Night.

At night tlie harbour was like a fairyInntl. The foreshores for miles around vere brilliantiy illuminated and from central positions, so that everyone could see. great rockets shot, into the air, sending forth still higher a myriad sparks of every hue Sorne of the most brilliant rockets lighted up the foreshore for miles around and revealed enormous ciowds previously hidden in the darkness. Warships and merchantmen were outlined with lights, including the New Zealand ship, 11.M.5. Dioniede, and when these lights were extinguished great beams from the searchlights played upon the sky and then on the water until, at a given signal, they were concentrated on the great steel arch that holds nn the bridge roadway. It was an unforgettable sight.

Sydney harbour at night is magnificent at any time, but it- is more so now with the gieat row of bridge lights towering above its sparkling waters. It is estimated that move than half a million people saw the fireworks display, and it was well after midnight before the trams and the trains had transported all to their homes. The bridge was open and it had been in every sense a day of days.