BRIDGE COMEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21144, 30 March 1932, Page 11

BRIDGE COMEDY.

FIRST OVER BY TRAIN. CHEAP TRIP OWING TO ERROR. GREAT SYDNEY ILLUSION. Six hundred and thirty-two citizens of New South Wales have been tho victims of a great illusion ! They came from the length and breadth of Australia, some travelled thousands of miles, and each paid 10s for tho privilege of being the first members of the public to travel across tho Sydney Harbour Bridge by train. Riding above tho sparkling blue waters of tho harbour in that gaily decorated "first train" on tho day of tho opening of the bridge, they were as excited as school children. They felt themselves tho cynosure of myriads of envious eyes on the foreshores. They thought of tho years como when they would relate with just pride to their admiring children and grandchildren how they had made history on March 19, 1932.

Rut tho six hundred and thirty-two were wrong, says the Sydney Morning Herald. They wero not about to become historical characters. They had been forestalled.

The Rev. G. McChesnev Clark, president of the Council of Churches in Queensland, and secretary of tho British and Foreign Biblo Society in that State, and tho Rev. B. Bentley, secretary of the society in New South Wales, wero the first members of tho Australian public to cross tho bridge by train. Only Passengers on Train. Theirs was not that richly-caparisoned "first train" on the Saturday. They travelled on an ordinary train on the previous day. They were the only two passengers on their train and—crowning blow to the 632—they crossed and reexossed the bridge free of charge! Mr. Clark bad been attending a Bible society conference in Sydney an*, his misison completed, he had waited for tho bridge opening. On Friday afternoon he and Mr. Bentley went to Wvnvard station to take a train to Town Hall. They walked on to a higher-level platform. They saw a train—apparently awaiting them. All trains leaving Wvnyard before March 19—the following day—travelled in the direction to Town Hall as far as they knew. They entered the train and sat down. Then tlie train commenced to travel backwards'

Starting up in amazement they made to alight. Too late! The fast electric train had gathered speed. Then they noticed that they were alone in their carriage. Resuming their seats they resigned themselves to their fate.

A guard entering the carriage stopped in amazement. He noticed that his two unlooked-for passengers wore the cloth. ITe tried to find suitable words to express his feelings. "How the devil did you get here ?" he asked. "We just walked in and sat down," replied Mr. Clark. " You Can't Get Out Now." " But you can't- get out now." resumed the guard, with a light, dawning in his eyes. "We are going over the bridge and back. You'll have to come with us." At that moment the train rumbled outof the tube, and in a few seconds a marvellous view greeted tho travellers. The guard, accepting tho inevitable, allowed bis official dignity to relax. "In no time he was enthusiastically pointing out to us tho best of the views," said Mr. Clark, "and we followed his directions with no less enthusiasm. It was a wonderful experience. We travelled to Milsnn's Point and immediately began tho return journey. Once back at Wvnvard our 'special' becamo an ordinary train, and we continued on to Town Hall. Wo arrived a little later than wo had expected, but our timo was not. wasted."