The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1932. MAGNUM OPUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1932. MAGNUM OPUS.

TbU oppnjng of Sydney hnrigc to-nun row marks the magnum opus of Australasia. The bridge is the pride and glory of New South Wales, but has been won at a cost which dims that pride and glory greatly. Nevertheless the handiwork of man has produced a structure of great proportions and magnificence. The bridge will now outrival the harbour, which bas always been the delight of Sydney. The bridge itself is said to have cost in. the region of live millions, but other incidental charges, land and approaches, and railway work have doubled the actual cost. The bridge now has to be paid for by the users, and pedestrians, passengers, vehicles and all means of transport, have to do their hit per medium of a toll. It "ill not he pleasant to meet this recurring expense, while at tire same time a very efficient I'erry service will have to be scrapped. Sydney folk are very much divided in their opinions on the work. ‘ The “Bulletin” in its breezy way suggests “the bridge was built prematurely and at a wicked cost with borrowed money,” and considers a. tablet should be placed as a memorial on the bridge as “a warning of the wastefulness of Government enterprise from' its inception to its completion.” This, however, does not detract from the work itself which is a wonderful achievement with science and engineering to bring tinstructure into being. The bridge has been well tested, while its form is familiar to most people following the illustrated press. Tt has the appearance of strength, as it has proved to have bv the severe test given it. With strength and beauty combined there is something—much in fact to mollify the Sydney ratepayer for the extra he must find in rates and tolls to help (lirschargi- the cost of the structure. The bridge was authorised by statute in 1922, and has been ten viJirs in construction. It is a com-bin-tion of the arch-type and cantilever bridge, and will lit* admired by busts of people. Thousands are flocking to -Sydney for the event which the aiit.iuirif.ie.; are hukaig forward

j„ with some t reuidaton because of a threat so lie time ago l, v He levley of the New Guard, that Mr •). T. Gang, Hu- Premier, may not open the bridge. heeling has run high against Mr Gang because of his political doings, but In- is within his rigid;, while I’-- mer in e,.both,. honour of opening the bridge il lie ~, wills. The New Gi.--.rd lias made ii, ; |)|-el( '.f. and sough! In have Mr bang .renin ed legally. More it should not ill t cm I to de ibid is in Hie way of physical force. Matters in New South Wall are not: running smoolhily nnd n mutch " 'plied to a powder m, may ha\ie serious con soil lienees. Any oi on revolt would he serious on such --mi occasion, and it is 10 be Imped Hie New Guard will make

the best of the position, content with their protest and effort to retrieve the situation, and leave it to the natural course of events for the overturning of Mr Lang if that is to come to pass at all quickly.