SITE FOR WORLD FAIR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20535, 29 September 1936, Page 7

SITE FOR WORLD FAIR

PREPARATIONS BEGUN IN AMERICA IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY HELD SAN FRANCISCO, August 26. In shirt sleeves, Governor Frank F. Merriman turned the first spadeful of earth on Yerba Buena shoals in San Francisco Bay, bringing the vision of a mighty Golden Gate International Exposition to realisation. The shovel used in this impressive ceremony on the man-made island before 1500 people was of historic significance. It also broke ground for the Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915. Colour was added to the ceremonies by the Municipal and 30th Infantry bands, Queen Doris Forestier and a group of comely young women who paraded, bearing the flags of all nations.

Prior to wielding the shovel, Governor Merriam delivered a brief address during which five U.S. Navy aeroplanes flew over the shoals and dropped packages attached to parachutes. These signified the international aspect of the exposition. Each package contained earth from a different continent. As the interesting inaugural ceremonies proceeded workers on the adjoining San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, eight t nd a hall miles in length, the longest in the world, halted their tasks to take a passive part. The climax came with the raising of the United States flag for the first time on the shoals as the two bands played “The Star Spangled Banner,” signifying that a new island had been added to Uncle Sam’s possessions, as the island had been dredged from a shallow part of San Francisco Bay for the World’s Exposition.

Spectators were taken to the new island in two boats and walked along a half-mile broadwalk to reach the scene of the ground-breaking. The California Grays, guard of honour at the ground-breaking for the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915, took part in the new ceremonies as they formed a guard of honour for Mr Leland Cutler, exposition president, who laid a redwood corner stone lor the administration building. Flood of Oratory Mayor Angelo Rossi, of San Francisco, paid glowing tribute to the exposition and invited the nations of the world to participate in the great world’s fair of 1939. “To-day,” he said, “as we stand on this island which we created within the limits of the City and County of San Francisco, for the purpose of breaking ground on the site of our 1939 Golden Gate Exposition, we are once again manifesting that great spirit that has marked our progress. Be with us in 1939.” Governor Merriam said. “We should everyone of us cherish in our hearts the unity of purpose and ideals which have inspired the exposition. As our

great bridges have linked San Francisco with the cities of California over barriers of water, so will the thrilling beauty and pageantry of the Golden Gate International Exposition span the seven seas to deliver California’s message of friendship and peace to the world.” The Mayors of the trans-bay cities of Alameda, Oakland and Berkeley also promised their co-operation from their several communities, Mayor Dr William J. McCracken assuring Mayor Rossi “that the people of the East Bay will join with all loyal Californians to make this exposition a glittering milestone in our State's history.”