Lists (None yet)

Login to create lists

Comments (None yet)

Add New Comment

2 corrections, most recently by jhempenstall - Show corrections

CAMERODDITIES OF BYGONE DAYS  

Arch erected on Princes Bridge, May, 1901. Mr. F. Gerrand, 50 Virginia st., Newtown, Geelong. 10/6.

Arch erected on City rd., South Melbourne, November, 1867. Miss A. M. Imes, 544 City rd., South Melbourne. 10/6.

By A. W. GREIG

THE idea of an arch of triumph has

existed since the days of the old Roman Empire, and on the occasion of the first visit of a member of the Royal Family to Australia it seemed a fitting thing to the citizens of Melbourne that he should be greeted with some attempt to reproduce the form of memorial favoured be the conquerors of the past, to express the warmth of their greet- ing.

Accordingly, when the young Duke of Edinburgh had made his official landing at Port Melbourne, on Monday, Novem- ber 25, 1867, and after running the gauntlet of loyal welcomes from the people of Sandridge, as it was then called, had entered the Governor's carriage to drive up to the city, one of the filrst sights which met his eyes was a trium- phal arch erected at the boundary of Sandridge and Emerald Hill (South Melbourne), just where Crockford st. merges Into the City rd. of today.

This arch, we are told by a contem- porary authority, was designed by Mr. Poulton, its centre span being 43ft. wide and 34ft. high, and was adorned with "heraldic, naval, and other emblems," by a local painter and decorator.

Just beyond the arch, on the south side of the road was a monster grand- stand, filled with nearly 3,000 school   children, the girls in white dresses with blue sashes; and in front of it was a pavilion on a raised platform, for the accommodation of the Emerald Hill councillors and their ladies. Another address was presented, the children sang the National Anthem, and the Prince proceeded on his way.

Driving up the embanked approach to thle old bluestone Princes Bridge, he passed under 2 more arches, one at either

end of the bridge—painted to represent "red granite in a framework of marble," and surmounted by a forest of flags.

The next Royal visitors to reach us were the boy princes Edward and George, who came in June, 1881, as midshipmen on board HMS Bacchante. Theirs was not a ceremonial visit, so there were no triumphal arches. It was not until 20 years later, in May, 1901, when Prince George, then Duke of Cornwall and York, and Heir-Apparent to the Throne, returned to open the first Commonwealth Parliament, that Melbourne again in- dulged in such extravagances. This time there was quite a number of arches. In addition to the one on Princes Bridge, there were the Chinese citizens' arch,

Illuminations on front of Flinders st. Station, August, 1908. Mr. G. E. Roberts,

12 Elphin gr., Hawthorn. 10/6.

the "butter-box" arch, and several others   in Collins and Bourke sts. , to say nothing of Venetian masts and garlands of

greenery.

This seems to have been our last effort in the way of triumphal arches. When Admiral Sperry was here in August, 1908, with a detachment of the American fleet, it was hardly a suitable occasion for such displays, warm as the welcome was that we gave them, although the Railways illumination certainly has an arch-like   effect. When the Prince of Wales was here in 1920, and again when our present King and Queen came in 1927, as Duke and Duchess of York, the triumpant arch seems to have gone quite out of fashion, in Melbourne at least.

Zoom

plus
thumb
minus
left
thumb
right
up
thumb
down