SYDNEY BRIDGE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1931, Page 6

SYDNEY BRIDGE

OPENING NEXT YEAR. MINIMUM OF EXPENSE. SYDNEY, August 19. Sydney people can hardly realise that at last a date—March 19 next year—has been fixed for the opening of the harbour bridge It is natural that the authorities should desire to make the occasion a notable one, and a special committee has been appointed to make the arrangements. Exactly what lines the ceremony will take has not been decided but circumstanes will demand that the expenditure ofmoney should be kept at a minimum. .Most people will agree that the bridge will have cost as much, and more, than the State could afford. No money will be spent oil fireworks and banquets, but the public will be invited to participate in elaborate ceremonies on both sides of the harbour. TWO CEREMONIES. It is proposed that jgje official ceremony should' be perform d in tlie forenoon on the city approach, and that there should he another ceremony on the North Sydney side, the latter to b - arranged by the councils who hay.’ foi so many years been contributing to t e cost of the bridge. The ceremonies would be he'd simultaneously, and «-t the conclusion of each a procession would be formed to cross the bridge. The military, returned soldiers, school children and -various organisations would be asked to take part in the procession, which could meet in the centre of the bridge. A combined rejoicing might be arranged later. It is suggested that a great fleet of aeroplanes could fly over the bridge during the processions, and that a gaily decorated train could he_ sent across. The idea that the King should be allied to open the bridge by wireless has not been abandoned. If times had been normal an invitation to visit Sydney or the purpose of peifoiming the ceremony would liave been sent to a member of the Royal family. SPORTS GATHERING. The afternoon may be given over to a great sports gathering, which would bo held in conjunction with the Royal Show. Plans are lieing consid red to m-ke the Royal Show more of an exhibition than ever. It is possible that the show will be of an Empire character and that it will extend river many weeks: The committee representing the Government lias vet to.come to an arrangement with the Royal Agricdtiirn 1 °ooiety on this point. It is propped that, on +he evening of the opening cPy the bridge shoukl he illuminated b* flood light, and that great sen Mil mb+s should send beams of Pglit skywards from various points of the great arch.