STIRRING SCENES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 2

STIRRING SCENES

SYDNEY’S GREAT DAY

HISTORIC PAGEANT.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright,) SYDNEY, Jan. 26. For Sydney the spectacular aspect of the 150th anniversary celebrations commenced this morning with the pageant depicting the landing of Governor Phillip at Farm Cove. Shortly before 8.30 the ship Supply was seen approaching the beach. She anchored a hundred yards from the shore. Aborigines in the Domain staged a corroboree and were put to flight as the first boat from the Supply reached the beach.

Then Governor Phillip landed from the second boat and took possession of the land in the name of King George 111. He briefly addressed the gathering, telling of the perils of the voyage from the Homeland.

Following a roll of drums, the flag was hoisted.

The actors participating in this event all wore the costumes of 150 years ago and made a picturesque ceremony, realistic, and full of interest. Every detail was carefully planned, the landing being accomplished without a hitch.

The highlight of the day, however, was the monster procession through the streets, which commenced at 10 a.m. A hundred beautifully decorated floats participated. They showed every aspect of the young nation’s life from the time of its birth to tho present day. No effort had been spared to ensure th© historical accuracy of the pageant with period costumes. Many ancient vehicles which had rested half-forgot-ten in stables and blacksmiths’ shops were resurrected and had a prominent part in the display. Among them was a coach which crossed th© Blue Mountains in 1841.

One of the pack homes in the gold mining unit of the procession was a great-grandson of Carbine, and in the racing unit was a grey, a descendant of Snowden, one of the original blood horses of the colony. Men, women and children, showing tho costumes worn down the ages, were seen, and a number of surfers in present-day costumes—the flower of young Australian manhood—presented the modern trend. Women life-savers and mermaids all had their part. NEW ZEALAND’S FLOAT. Now Zealand was represented by a most attractive float, the centre piece of which was an outline of a snowcovered mountain. In front was a Maori wliare with three figures in Native costume. One side depicted swordfishing and agriculture, and the other side timber and agriculture. At the back was th© Dominion’s coat-of-arms and the stern piece of a Maori war canoe, with a Maori in costume beliind each. THREE MILES LONG. The procession was about three miles long, interspersed with brass bands.

It is estimated that half a million people were in th© streets. They commenced to gather as early as 2 o’clock in the morning and by mid-morning it was impossible to move in the streets •along which the procession passed. Special stands were provided for official visitors, but the demand for seats in windows overlooking the route was so great that as much as ten guineas was paid for a seat. Visitors by sea, train, ’plan© and car have been pouring into the city for several days. Fortunately, the bad weather of la6t week lia.s departed and to-day is ■ beautifully fine. An indication of the value of the floats which took part is the fact that the Celebrations Committee took out an insurance cover for £56,000 again6t fire and rain. „ „ NEW YORK, Jan. 25. Australia Day was celebrated at the British Luncheon Club. The Consul-General (Mr Campbell) stressed the importance of the Sydney celebrations to the other Dominions.