BRIDGE STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1932, Page 6

BRIDGE STORY

ACTUAL FIRST TRAVELLERS

CLERGYMEN’S -ERROR

Six hundred and thirty-two citizens have beeu the victims of a gpeat illusion !

They came from the length and breadth of Australia, some travelled thousands of miles, and each paid 10s for the privilege of (being the first members of the public' to travel across the 'Sydney Harbour Bridge by train. Riding above the sparkling blue waters of the harbour in that gaily decorated “first train’’ on the opening day, they were as excited as school children. They felt themselves the cynosure of myriads of envious e .V«s •on the foreshores. They thought of the years to come when they would relate with just pride to fheii’ admiring children and grand-children how they had made history on March 19, 1932.

But the six hundred and thirty-two were wrong, states the “Sydney Morning Herald.” They were not about to become historical characters. They had been forestalled. The Rev. G. McChesney Clark, president of the Council of Churches in Queensland, and secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society in that •State, and'the Rev. B. Bentley, secretary of the society in New South "Wales, were the first members of the Australian public to cross the' bridge by train. ' Theirs was not that richly-capari-soned “first train” on the opening day. :o £hey travelled on an ordinary train on the previous day. .They were the only two pasengers ion their train and—crowning blow to the 632—they crossed and re-crossed the bridge for nothing! Some have greatness thrust upon them,. The two clergymen involuntarily became historical figures overnight, or over the bridge.

Telling their story, they affected to treat the matter lightly—as an amusing accident— For their greatness was acquired by accident—but the gleam of triumphant achievement was in their eyes.

Mr Clark has been attending a Bible society conference in 'Sydney, and. his mission completed, he had waited hers for the bridge opening.; On ,Friday afternoon he and Mr Bentley went to Wynyard station to take a train to Town Hall. They walked on to a higher-level platform. They saw a train— apparently awaiting them. All trains leaving Wwnyard before March 19—the following day—travelled in the direction to’Town Hall as far as they knew. Then the train commenced to travel backwards!

Starting up in amazement, they made u, alight. To late! The fast electrictrain had gathered..speed Then'; they noticed that they were alone in thuv carriage. Resuming their seats, t-

resigned themselves to their fate. A guard entering the carriage stopped in ;amazement. -He/ noticed that Hi is two-un looked- for passengers wore the cloth. He tried to_ find suitable words to express his feelings. “How the devil did you get herehe ask'd. “We just walked in and sat down,’’ replied Air Clark.

“Hut you can’t get out now." resumed the guard, with a light dawning in his eyes. “We are going over the bridge and back. You'll have to come with UK.” •At that moment the train rumbled out of the tube, and in a few seconds a marvellous view greeted the travellers. The guard, accepting the inevitable, allowed his official dignity to reins, “In no time he was enthusiastically pointing out to us the best of views,” said Mr Clark, “and we followed his directions with no less enthusiasm. It was a wonderful experience. We travelled to .Wilson's i'oint and immediately began the ' return ’ourney. Once hack at Wyiiyard our ‘special’ became an ordinary train, and are continued on to Town Hall. Y\ ' arrived a little later than we had expected, but our time was not wasted.