MELBOURNE CENTENARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 12

MELBOURNE CENTENARY

ENTHUSIASTIC PREPARATIONS GRAF ZEPPELIN MAY PAY VISIT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, September 14. Melbourne is taking the preparations of the celebration next year of the centenary of the city and the State ot Victoria with tremendous seriousness and with commensurate enthusiasm. Those preparations seem to be on a fittingly large scale, and there is uo doubt that the ceremonies towards the end ot next year will attract many thousands ot tourists to Australia, especially as they will take place during the most delightful month of the Australian year, November., Sporting and social organisations, as wen as Government and civic bodies, are vying with each other to provide a feast of attraction, and the probabilities ol events of -world-wide importance are undoubted. .... . ~ One suggestion, if it bears fruit, will give Australia a sight of its first airship. An effort to induce the commander of the Graf Zeppelin, Germany’s giant airship, to visit Melbourne at the time ot the centenary celebrations is being made by an influential committee of German residents. It is realised that a visit from this world-famous lighter-thau-air craft would be a great draw card in the centenary programme, but the question of cost has to be considered carefully. Ihe Centenary Organisation Council has lett it to the committee of German residents—the same committee which organised the visit of the cruiser Koln in Australia to make full inquiries and submit a definite scheme as soon as possible. The committee has written to Germany to discover whether the airship s future proo-ramme would admit a visit to Australia, whether there would be any Goveminent objections, what the cost would be, and how much it would cost to erect a mooring mast in Melbourne. Other details, such as refuelling and obtaining helium gas from America, are also being investigated. The cost of the scheme would be large, but a full complement of 34 passengers would probably be obtained for the trip, gate money in Melbourne would be large, and if joy riding trips could be arranged a great deal more of the expenditure could be recouped. The fact that the Zeppelin was coming to Australia would secure publicity all over the world and would be a great advertisement for the centenary. Apart from its being an attraction to oversea visitors, the appearance of the Zeppelin in Melbourne would undoubtedly bring large numbers of people from other States. If it is found that a visit is possible, members of the German community in Australia will probably combine to defray portion of the cost. Mr Frank Brookbanks, a member ot the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, aroused quick official replies when he said, in an interview during a visit to Melbourne last week, that be had heard or read nothing of the centenary celebrations until he arrived in Australia. The official replies stated that arrangements were being made to advertise the centenary in every part of the world. Posters and folders were being prepared and distributed by the Centenary Council. The National Travel Association had issued a. magnificent book of photographs of Australian scenes, and shipping companies and tourist agencies were advertising the celebrations. The advertising matter had not yet been distributed in New Zealand, as it would weaken the intensive campaign planned for later, but 1300 posters had been forwarded to the Travel Association’s New Zealand representative, and posters would be exhibited at 200 permanent sites on the New Zealand railways. Smaller posters and special literature were also being widely distributed.