SYDNEY BRIDGE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1932, Page 5

SYDNEY BRIDGE

MEMORABLE SCENE A

CROWDS NUMBER 750,000

(Australian Press Association.)

SYDNEY, March 20.

Half a million people had a close-up view of the 1 Bridge Pageant, and tlie.y have something tangible' to remember. Thanks to'there being a brilliant, sunny day, thS carnival spirit was everywhere in evidence. There were thrills c;n land, water and 'air, which kept the vast surging crowd keyed up both day and night. The depression was forgotten by the huge well-dressed, and well-be-haved crowd, which thronged the vantage points.

There-were thousands of people, perched on the rooftops, and parapets who saw the marvellous spectacle when a procession of floats, bands, soldiers, white clothed school children, and boy scouts, crossed the great bridge from the south to the north side.

There were some charming tableaux depicting finger posts of the history of Australian industries > and sport. There were graceful surf girls and gallant surfmen in costume, to whom fullblooded Australian aboriginals afforded sharp contrasts In character. There Were oldtime coaches, and ancient highwheeled bikes. In fact,: everything that is symbolical of the old and the new, order of things, seemed to be represented in this colourful and diversified procession.

AVIATORS’ PART

While various arms and defence groups, war veterans, and scores of bands stirred the public to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, there were sights also overhead, where naval seaplanes, air force planes and private aeroplanes, cut capers, flew in formation and did everything possible seemingly, to attract the attention of the vast sea of people beneath them; hut, so thick and fast were the novel scenes on the bridge itself, and on the harbour that it was physically impossible for the people to pay much heed to what was go in 2 on above their heads. Nothing so impressive has ever been seen in Sydney, and probably in the world, as to-day’s procession of large liners in the narrow confines of Sydney Harbour. Gaily bedecked and festooned, vessels of twelve thousand upwards, at a given signal, passed beneath the great bridge at a snail’s pace, one behind the other, in a long line to an anchorage, far beyond the bridge, each sounding its siren continuously, thus making a. medley of noise, as if proudly acclaiming the great event.

When the official speeches were over, the people were permitted to cross the bridge,

AMAZING SCENE.

What an amazing sight it was when there followed a mighty rush of tens of thousands, who seized their first opportunity to view the vast panorama from the dizzy height of the bridge. Throughout the whole afternoon, tlm broad highway of the bridge was ■> moving mass of humanity. At midnight on Satmuay, the bridge was thrown open to train, tram and vehicular traffic, for the first time A special electric train, loaded with passengers at 2/- per head, made the initial trip.

During the afternoon and the night the festivities were worthy of the occasion. It is estimated that three-quai-ters of a million people were gathered on both sides of the harbour in the evening, where they watched a fireworks and spectacular searchlight display by the Australian warships and the New Zealand cruiser “Diomede,” moored on opposite sides of the harbour. The searchlights illuminated the bridge, its towering steel outlines standing out in bold relief against a cloudless, moonlit sky, making an entrancing picture in silver and grey. The climax to this wonderful setting was when the whole of the warships and the large

liters themselves were simultaneously the bursting blaze of light / revealing their majestic outlines in / shimmering gold.

Kingsford Smith supplied thrills aloit by flying in an illuminated aeroplane, and every now and then discharging rockets, creating meteors, and other pyrotechnics. The searchlights were at intervals focussed on his machine. There were at least, four deaths directly due to the bridge carnival. There was a man killed by a motor lorry during the procession. Three people had heart seizures in the crowded streets, which ended fatal- [ l.v. ) People, chiefly women and girls fainted in the dense crowds, under the

Mazing sun in exposed positions, at an alarming rate. At least do Oft cases were treated by the ambulance men in (the forenoon in the city area.

AN HISTORICAL PAGEANT

KINGSFORD SMITH CRASHES

SYDNEY, March 20. Kingsford Smith was dogged by misfortune. While landing with twelve .passengers i t Mascot, late last night, [, lie crashed from a low altitude. The * port wheel of Ids plane was smashed, 'file machine settled on its side, being badly damag'd, but the passengers sustained nothing worse than a bad scare. Smith was not harmed. In addition lo the pyrotocbiv'-nl d's . last night, there was a delightful historical pageant carried out at Van-

cluse Park, in the vicinity of the pioneer explorer and Statesman, Wentworth’s old home. All of the former statesmen were represented, true to type. Early scenes were enacted with splendid realism. There was a Venetian Carnival, in which society folks predominated. It made a gay, modern picture on the waterfront immediately below Vaucluse Park. All varieties of traffic on the new harbour bridge, were, in full blast today (Sunday). Trams, trains and cars have been passing to and fro, linking the north and south sides to the city.

The rush across the bridge is exciting the curiosity of the ferry travellers, especially those travellers who still prefer to use the ferries. So far only three lines of the ferries have ceased running on account of the. bridge.

SENSATION AT OPENING.

INTERLOPER CUTS RIBBON

SYDNEY, March 20. There was one sensational happening while the Minister of Public Works was speaking, at the opening of the Bridge yesterday morning. An officer mounted on horseback, riding be-

hind Light Horsemen, galloped up to the tape, which the Premier, Mr Lang, was to cut in declaring the Bridge open, and he slashed it 'twice with his sword, exclaiming: “I am a member of the Coin]notiWealth forces. lit the name of decehc-y I declare the bridge open,’'

The interloper had hardly uttered the last word when a posse of police dragged him off his horse violently, the rider striking his head on the concrete road'Way, his upturned sword narrowly missing a number of the police. The man, who was detained by the police, gave the name of Cdptain Do Groot, of the Royal Hussars. The ribbon was tied together again in the two places, and the opening ceremony went on as though nothing had occurred.

The police acted with such promptitude that only a small section of the people were aware that anything untoward had happened. The Sydney newspapers have fea-

tured Captain de Groot’s sensational act in cutting the ribbon, his subsequent arrest and his removal to the Reception / House at Darlinghurst. Some of the papers also publish photographs of the affair. showing De Groot in the act of bringing his sword down on the ribbon, and his prostrate form afterwards beneath his own horse’s feet as the outcome of rough handling by the police. The newspaper photographers cinematographers everywhere caught the incident remark able well.

The broadcasting announcers, who had almost an uninterrupted view of the incident, however, told the outside public a different story from the actual one, merely stating that an officer’s horse was playing up and broke the ribbon. '

A NEW GUARD COMMANDER. THE RIBBON SLASHER. SYDNEY, March 20. De Groot, who slashed the ribbon, is understood to be a Zone Commander of the New Guard.

De Groot is a dealer in antiques at Rushcutter’s Bay, and an active member of the New Guard. He served in the war in France for four years, anc! he and his wife hail from Dublin, the Irish capital. I)e Groot, who is sparely built, and of medium weight, is a middle-aged man. He certainly did what few men would dare, as every policeman about him was heavily armed, and twice his size and weight, while the hooting and ejaculations which marked his arrest and his departure revealed that he was in a camp of deadly political enemies. The precise remarks which De Groot made when, with deep emotion, he slashed at the ribbon, were not generally heard, but it is ascertained that he said he “declared the bridge open in the name of decency, decent politics and decent citizens.” He shrieked at the police: “Let me alone! I am the King’s officer! Don’t touch me!”

Later, when being removed in a police car, De Groot was capless and swordless, police having seized both in the process of his humiliation. De Groot was perfectly calm, and lie looked anything but a fit subject for the Reception House. The police and the military authorities are now arguing as to how DcGroct, who apparently was not invited, managed to attach himself to the Governor-General, Sir lane Isaacs’s mounted escort without detection.

NEW GUARD LEADER

SIDES WITH DE GROOT

SYDNEY. March 20.

The Leader of the New Guard, Colonel Campbell, who held aloof Irpm the Bridge ceremony, when interviewed described the police action as “an unforgiveable insult to a level-headed business man and a gallant. cavalry officer.”

Campbell said be considered that the. State owed a debt of gratitude to De Groot, and he added that a medical examination of Do Groot had already disclosed that there was no fault to find with his mental condition.

A strong police- guard throughout last night prevented anything in the nature of a New Guard raid at the Reception House at Dailingl.iirst, where De Groot is detained. Developments are expected in bis case on Mondav.

VIEWS OF RIVAL FACTIONS

SYDNEY. March 20. The public view of De Groot’s aefc-

ion is extremely varied, and is dependent on ona’s political leanings. The Langites have bitterly condemned De Groot, and they would have torn him limb from limb if they had got the chance, ■ Others have described De oroot’s action either as foolhardy, childish, indiscreet, or unwarranted. A fair percentage applauded and described him as a most courageous fellow. taking his life in his hands for a cherished principle.

R.S.A. DISOWN DE GROOT

SYDNEY, March 20,

The New South Wales Branch of the Returned Soldiers’ League deprecated Saturday’s incident. They declare that De Groot is not on e of their members.

COST OF BRIDGE.

NEW GUARD APPROVAL

(Received this day at 8 a.m.)

SYDNEY, March 21

Twelve workmen lost their lives during the construction of the Bridge. The cost of tlie work is nearly ten millions, including the approaches and viaducts.

The New Guard Leader. Colonel Eric Campbell, stated to-night that De Groot’s action had the full approval of the New Guard Council.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL.

SYDNEY, March 21

A .swimming carnival was held au Manly in connection with the Bridge celebrations. The 110yds invitation scratch race for women, was won by Miss E. Stockier, It 12 2-5, in record Australian time.

DE GROOT MENTALLY SOUND

MORE COMMENT BY CAMPBELL

SYDNEY, March 21

Captain De Groot was examined during the week-viid by the Professor of Psychiatry at 1 he- Sydney University, and Doctor MacPlierson, who reported that there was no'evidence of insanity whatever in Do Groot. Professor Dawson concurred in this view.

Colonel Campbell stated that De Grant acted with the full approval of the New Guard but flic idea was entirely

hi s own. De Groot unquestionably served as ail officer in the 15th King's Hussars dur:i,ng tin; War and bad every right to wear (be uniform on Saturday. He was most caretnl Hint 'there i-li'mld be no discredit tblown I'.pun the Govern,ir. and he .too 1 : no a: tioii ». In lever be lore Air Lang sp die .

Campbell aided Mint He Grouts conduct I,broil: limit was dignified and orderly and di,| uoL involve any l>rv idi id I lie pence. “I saw De Groot and lie was very sorry to learn that a police nfiircr was cut through coining in contael with lii s sword. Do Groot had no idea of resisting attest."