COBB CO. COACH JOURNEY SYDNEY/ CANBERRA
The following is text of a letter from the Premier of New South Wales, sent by Cobb. Co. coach to the Prime Minister and received on Mr. Menzies' behalf by the Minister for Immigration, Mr. Downer :-
24th January, 1963
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
In this historic year, during which we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the foundation cf our nation, it is a fortuitous coincidence that 1963 also marks the anniversary of the foundation of Canberra, the Australian Capital.
May I extend to you Sir, as Prime Minister, congratulations and felicitations from the citizens of New South Wales, on this auspicious anniversary.
Since Captain Arthur Phillip founded the first white settlement on the shores of Sydney Cove in 1788, the people of this great country have shared in a development which has been spectacular in the rapidity and magnitude of its growth - a development which was accelerated with the forging of the colonies into a single nation and the establishment of Canberra as its capital.
It is significant historically that, as Premier of New South Wales, I have the opportunity of sending you these greetings on an original Cobb & Co. Coach which was one of the many which played such an outstanding role in opening up the country.
It is the fervent hope of all the people of New South Wales that the future of this country as a federation will be blessed with as great a prosperity as it has been in the past.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
R. J. HEFFRON.
The following is an airmail reply from the Prime Minister :-
7th February, 1963.
My dear Premier,
I send sincere good wishes to you and to the citizens of New South Wales, the foundation State, as you celebrate the 175th anniversary of our nation.
I am in complete accord with the sentiments which you have expressed on the great development of our country and of the impetus which Federation has given to that development.
Equally do I share your hope for the future of our people and our nation.
Your letter has come to me by road over, a period of days by Cobb Co. coach. It will give point, I think to your gracious gesture and to the great changes 175 years have witnessed, if this, my reply to you, returns to the capital of New South Wales by airmail.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
R. G. MENZIES.
CANBERRA,
7th February, 1963