DIGGER REMINISCENCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 3 June 1938, Page 16

DIGGER REMINISCENCES

' TRIP TO SYDNEY ; AN EVENTFUL JOURNEY The gathering at the Returned Soldiers’ Association rooms last night to vifew the second screenings of the films taken on the recent trip to Sydney for the Anzac Day and Centenary celebrations consisted entirely of Diggers, and the various speakers recalled some colourful incidents of the eventfui journey. Mr N. R. Wilson presided over the gathering, and the films were presented by Messrs A. S. B. Smith and E. J. Anderson. Mr W, F. Forrester gave a general outline of the tremendous amount of preparation which had gone into the planning of the trip, which had been a complete success. The majesty of the dawn parade and the ceremony which took place later in. the day was stressed by all the speakers. The magnificent Sydney zoo also came in for much favourable comment. Mr A. H. Gallagher gave his impressions of the aquarium and the famous Koala National Park was also mentioned. The tiny koalas and the kangaroos were perfectly friendly with visitors, Mr Anderson said, and as the koalas often suffer from a disease of the eyes, a special hospital had been built for them. Two special features of the centennial celebrations were recalled by Mr L. G. Hill—first, the military tattoo, at which were given impressive reproductions of an air-raid and of the Main Body convoy travelling through the Indian Ocean; second, the great rodeo, in which Canadians, Americans and Australians showed their almost unbelievable skill at, all departments, of the equestrian art. Tributes were paid to the hospitality of the Australians and to the general organisation of the tour. The c(v operation and cheerful service of the* two ships’ complements was worthy of the highest praise. The appearance of -' the Diggers had been so good that the general Australian impression appeared to be that the New Zealanders were picked men—which was completely erroneous. The two films showed scenes of the trifr to Wellington, and on to Sydney on board the Maunganui and Mpnowai, scenes of the service and “close-ups” of the various speakers were greatly appreciated by the large audience.