SYDNEY’S PAGEANT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17740, 29 March 1932, Page 9

SYDNEY’S PAGEANT

BLAZE OF LIFE AND COLOR A PAGE OF HISTORY Sydney, under the shadow of < its mighty arch, and in a great blaze of life and color (states the Sydney Morning Herald), has added another chapter to Australian history, and the story of the world’s greatest engineering triumphs. The wonderful pageantry, like a gorgeous but fleeting picture, has faded, but behind the evanescent beauty of it stands the great fabric on which it was based.

The Sydney Harbor Bridge, talked of for long years, is no longer an unsubstantial dream. Trains anil trams are to-day thundering) across it. On foot and in ears an army of people move over it. Its giant chords ring, as to the touch of a. lyre-swept instrument of steel, to Hie pulsating diapason of a city’s surging life. The bridge stands to-day as a noble concept ion of engineering genius—a triumph of a. State’s development. In its blending of strength, of simple beauty, and dignity of setting, it symbolises a generation’s idealism and progress. PLEDGE OF PROGRESS Every vantage point on the land, as the pageant, amid the crash of music, made its triumphal progress in a riot of all the rainbow’s colors, and on Sydney Harbor, was choked with spectators from all parts of the State, and other States, and New Zealand, and countries abroad. Thus, amid one of nature’s fairest settings, and under a brilliant summer sky, was the Sydney Harbor Bridge opened. Dominating the great picture, resplendent with pageantry and ceremony, was the bridge itself, with its symmetry and grace of form, its arch bestriding, Colossus-like, the waters ot the harbor, and its splendid pylons—a rich jewel in the crown of human endeavor, canopied in filigreed steel under a- cloudless sky. Its great arch filling the sky. one saw in P n pledge of progress and development.

It was the spectacle (if the bridge and the contemplation of it as a symbol of development, no less than the splendor of the general scene, that carried the people on a great wave of enthusiasm. Just as the triumphs and the wonders of the ancient world exerted a dominating influence over art and culture, so New South Wales on Saturday acclaimed its bridge with the proud consciousness ol a and truitlni achievement. It. recalled the words of Horace, for it has reared a memorial “more lasting than brass; loftier than the regal structure of the pyramids.” The scene at the dais for the opening ceremonv, and in the vicinity ot it, made an unforgettable picture of life and color. Cheers swept the vast crowd when tin* guards of honor, brightly uniformed. and amid the rattle of drums, and in step with lively airs, marched into the scene with the snap and precision of old British regulars. From alar' there came a fanfare of trumpets and the Union Jack was unfurled. when the Governor, after having read the. King’s message, pressed a button and by that seemingly magic process, unveiled, 'a hundred yards away, a (ablet naming the vast structure overshadowing the scene, the. Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the roadway linking the northern and southern portion of the city the Bradfield Highway. Prolonged applause greeted Ur. Bang when he declared ihe bridge open, unveiled a tablet recording the fact, and spoke of till' bridge as an achievement symbolical, of the things Australians strive for. but have mil yet obtained.” MEMOI?ABLE SCENES

Nature contributed magnificently to splendour of the pageantry that heralded tli(> opening of the bridge. 'I he sparkling'! sunshine of a glorious day lent the final gracious touch that spelt absolute success for such an occasion.

In glittering legend and symbolism j in beautiful living figures, and in all the flowers of Flora s domain, the giganttj tableau told the story of a State that is the cradle of Australian development, from the far-off days ot the first settlement at Sydney Cove. Foremost in the eieat scene was a little army ot the State’s sturdy childhood and youth aglow with the joyful spirit of tlie hour —a wonderfully impressive picture of a

young democracy’s goodly and proud heritage.

From every window, every balcony, every other vantage point, there came bursts of echoing and re-echoing cheers, as the youngsters marched past, and there came into view amid the crash of triumphal music, bridge workers, who were accorded a magnificent ovation, aborigines, aiid then, in a riot of color, the historical, rural, floral, and other parts of tlie. pageant. VAST HUMAN TIDE A vast, moving, colorful spectacle, symbolical of the life of the State in all its phases, the pageant itself was splendidly conceived and faultlessly carried out.

Looking! forward to this break in the gloom of depression as a hopeful augury of a. future of brightening promise, the people, happily excited and stimulated by the carnival spirit, gave themselves over to the glamor of the day. Trams, ferries, motor cars—and even buses—brought them teeming into the city from all points of the compass. Suburban homes were .early astir, the shrill voices of eager children begetting a similar excitement in their more phlegmatic parents.

A great surging human tide from early morning onward swept the city streets. Realising that the opening of the bridge itself would be a spectacle for a comparatively small number, the majority of the public concentrated on the procession. The broad spaces of Macquarie street, forming an admirable assembly point for the floats, soon became the setting for a huge moving picture—-a scene of bustle and apparent confusion, from which almost magically emerged a last-minute orderliness when the pageant was timed to move off.

Those who visited Macquarie street early were rewarded with a. leisured and detailed view of the. floats and other features of the Pageant, which was denied to those who saw only the actual procession. Thousands took advantage oj! this opportunity. But perhaps their rewind was not so great, for they lost the full effect of the surprised delight that the pageant, as a moving, colorful whole, inspired.

Rapidly iifcrensing in density as the morning wore on, the crowds thronged into every niche and corner that could give them a view point for the procession. The whole of the route was lined with cheering and applauding people, packed into all available areas—a vast, good-natured, happily expectant throng. Some places, notably along College street, which gave a view of the approach of the pageant before it turned into Bark street, were dense masses of perspiring humanity. A large number of people were overcome fit- this point by the heat, and required ambulance attention.

The best vantage points were taken early—between 6.30 and 8,30 —but some of the latecomers, by ingenious contrivances, or by perching themselves precariously on sign-posts and similar unsuspected. or improvised, grandstands, lost nothing by their tardiness. The roofs of buildings all along the route were massed with waving and cheering people, and from every window others sought an uninterrupted view. It was a scene of extraordinary enthusiasm.

Thought for little children cripples was responsible for the provision of an enclosure in College street, from which SCO of them had a splendid view of the proceedings in joyous comfort. The magnificence of the various floats and other spectacular parts of the pageant- could not detract from tluj interest. of other sections. Youthful Australia, as depicted in the sturdy bodies and bright faces of the sons and daughters of deceased soldiers, proudly wearing their fathers’ medals, 700 school children, boys of the Young Australia League and the Boy Scouts, is a vital force, giving the lie to pessimism for the future. The Boy Scouts were particularly impressive, making a brave show with their banners and waving pennons.

Remarkable, ovations were given at all points along the route to the group of workmen, representative of the men employed on the harbor bridge construction. Marching perfectly (many of them being returned soldiers), they proudly took the salutations of the public. Their great moment was when they entered the bridgq approach and passed on to the great structure to the building of which the last seven years of their lives had been devoted. Mere the cheering of tho enthusiastic people reached its crescendo in a gigantic roar.

Then there was the military display. First came the older veterans, eacli group in the uniform of its period, led by the men of the Sudan War —aged men these, but marching with sprightly step and undiminished vigor- The. South African and Boxer Rebellion veterans came next, the first in their familiar light khaki kit and the others in naval uniform.

Many of them still appearing too young to be designated as veterans, the ex-soldiers of the A.I.F. made a gallant display. With the New South Wales Victoria Cross winners taking their rightful pride of place, and the Light Horse, with their prancing steeds and waving plumes, following on, the representation of all the units of the A.I.F. passed in splendid review—-the field and heavy artillery, engineers anti signalmen, a company of infantry, Army Medical Corps, Army Service Corps, and Army Veterinary Corps. Their glistening tin hats must have been extremely uncomfortable under the hot sun, but the men wore them with stoic disregard for discomfort. It was an inspiring spectacle, a gallant display, and a wonderful testimony to Australian loyalty. There followed the great pageant of the floats. Public amazement and approval was expressed in cheers, delighted exclamation, and continuous applause as each creation came into view, to be replaced bv another and yet another in a stream that took more, than .an hour to pass. Nothing more picturesquely beautiful hgs been seen in the history of the cit\ r .

Great interest was displayed in the arrival of a number of aborigines, men, women, and youngsters, from La Pevouse. Several of the men were advanced in years. All the men were unclothed save for a single garment, fashioned of skins, and all were in war paint” and carried spears and boomerangs. They formed part of the complement of the Endeavour and Governor Phillip floats. They were a fine lot of men, and held the interest of the crowds round the floats.