WANGANUI MAN THOUGHT SYDNEY BRIDGE WAS A “COAT HANGER"

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 May 1948, Page 4

WANGANUI MAN THOUGHT SYDNEY BRIDGE WAS A “COAT HANGER"

The visit of a number of Australian ex-Servicemen to Wanganui tomorrow will revive memories among a contingent of Wanganui men who went to Sydney in 1938 as a party of “Anzacs” to attend the Sydney Cen tennial. They are very happy memories, all the more refreshing because of the humour that punctuated the journey of the Wanganui folk among the hospitable people of the Commonwealth.

Mr. A. G. Toop, of Wanganui, wrote a very interesting account of his ex periences m Sydney, which was published in the “New Zealand Decorator. ’

This account, in itself, is of interest today. For instance there is the passage on it with reference in Sydney’s famous bridge. Mr. Toop wrote: Just, as we were apjn’oaching the wonderful Sydney bridge the band (on the escorting Sydney police launch) stopped placing and one of the police shouted out: '•How do you like our bridge New Zealanders?” One cf our boys (from Wanganui) without hesitation, shouted back: “Strike me pink; I thought it. was a coat hanger! And, strangely enough, it did look something like a coat hanger, and the remark caused great laughter.’’

Incidents such as theie will be recalled when the Australians arrive in Wanganui tomorrow for lunch. It. is to be hoped, however, that no Wanganui policeman is going to put the question to any Australian. n; you think of our bridge, Australia?” "We eventually passed under the great bridge,” continued the account written by Mr. Toop. . . "Outside the wharf gates were thousands of people, eager to have a glimpse of us, and when we came out and marched to the Cenotaph we were cheered all the way."

Describing Sydney on Anzac Day, Mr. Toop said that no "Diggei” could do wrong on that clay. In his opinion the Sydney people have the right way of observing the day. Australian "Diggers" are due in Wanganui tomorrow. They will have lunch, be taken for a run round the city, and will be guests at a social evening at night.