SIDELIGHTS OF TOUR

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25243, 23 July 1947, Page 6

SIDELIGHTS OF TOUR

Stories about Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery and his visit to Christchurch are likely to be told long after he has left New Zealand. In this column are reported some of the sidelights of his tour through the city, and his meetings with citizens, returned servicemen, and hospital patients. Improperly Dressed “We are very proud to see you are a member of our association, but we realise, as you do, that you are improperly dressed,” said Captain C. H. Upham, V.C. and bar, when he spoke to Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery during the Returned Services.’ Association reception. “However, as an old Bth Army soldier, you are very likely accustomed to being improperly dressed,” he added amid laughter. Field Day for Photographers “Monty, look around here.” This appeal haa the desired effect outside the King Edward Barracks yesterday. Field-Marshal Montgomery was acknowledging the cheers and smiles of the crowd on one side of Cashel street when he heard the appeal, and as his open car was moving off he obligingly turned round to face the man who called out, and smiled broadly as the movie camera which had been held in readiness was brought into action. Both amateur and professional photographers worked overtime yesterday. All along the route into the city, at the barracks and in the Square, men, women and children, using everything from expensive moving cameras to the old-fashioned box type, busily expended the films they had kept for the occasion. Every possible vantage point was occupied by a photographer, and some eager schoolboys with cameras had to be ordered to climb down from a tram in the Square. “Order” to Superintendent Crowds in King Edward Barracks threatened to break through the cordon of attendants. at the back of the official platform yesterday, and in spite of the valiant efforts the weight of the crowd was becoming too great. The superintendent of police (Mr H. Scott) appeared on the scene, and appealed to the crowd to keep back. One attendant, perhaps mistaking the superintendent for some minor official, tapped him on the shoulder, and said: “Go and get a couple of ‘Johns.’” Shortly afterwards, although doubtless not as a result of the remark, several constables were summoned b” Mr Scott, and the crowd was checked. “Knocked Them Bandy” When the change from open to closed car was made on the outskirts of Temuka yesterday morning, an elderly woman, dressed in a green skirt, a pink cardigan, and with a shawl over her head, walked on to the road to have a close-up view of Lord Montgomery. He extended his hand and chatted with her. Fifty yards down the road some young woman called: “Log*; at mum!” and raced up to her as Lord Montgomery waved her good-bye. “That’s knocked you all bandy,” said the pleased vzoman. Many Handshakes Although Field-Marshal Montgomery’s right hand is very sore after the continual handshaking since his tour began, he was ready and eager to greet the official party when he arrived at the King Edward Barracks. After* shaking hands with the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) and the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast), he gave hearty handshakes to the Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop West-Watson) the president of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association (Mr E. Orchard), and representatives of the armed services. As he left the official platform he shook the hand of one woman, but smilingly declined numerous other outstretched hands

Home-made Periscopes Determination to see Field-Marshal Montgomery prompted a number of Christchurch residents to make periscopes. Both in the barracks and in the streets yesterday there were many home-made periscopes being used by persons of less than average height, and by those who were determined to get an uninterrupted view of the distinguished visitor. Exchange of Recollections “Were you and I ever together?” asked Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery during an informal chat with Colonel Sir Hugh Acland, assistantdirector of medical services in the Southern Military District, at afternoon tea in the Burwood Hospital yesterday. Recalling his service in the Boer War, Sir Hugh Acland said that in 1901 he had been aboard a transport which had called at Launceston. Tasmania, on its way back to New Zealand. “Ah, I was in Hobart then,” said Lord Montgomery. Carried Shoulder High It proved impossible to clear a lane for the official party when the Returned Services’ Association reception to Field-Marshal Montgomery finished, and it appeared that he would be late for his next appointment. A partv of lusty young former naval men solved the problem. They hoisted the fieldmarshal shoulder nigh, and “chaired” him to the door. Family Ties During a visit to the Christchurch Public Hospital yesterday, Field-Mar-shal Viscount Montgomery met Miss M. Holderness, whose brother, Mr William Holderness, is married to his sister, formerly Miss Winsome Montgomery. Miss Holderness was, until about two years ago, sister in charge of the children’s ward at the hospital. Mr and Mrs William Holderness were married in Ireland in 1924. They now live in Devon. Photographers Kept Busy Innumerable photographs were taken yesterday afternoon during visits to hospitals in Christchurch by FieldMarshal Viscount Montgomery. In every instance, Lord Montgomery posed for both amateur and professional photographers with imperturbable good humour. Parts of his itinerary were filmed by personnel of the National Film Units; and there were also a number of photographers representing daily and weekly newspapers. At the Coronation Hospital, one soldier had his camera ready for Lord Montgomery’s approach as he passed along a line of beds. Lord Montgomery, after talking to the man for a few moments, stood at the foot of his bed while the patient photographed him. When Lord Montgomery was taking tea at the Burwood Hospital, he noticed a press photographer standing opposite him. After inquiring what newspaper the photographer represented, Lord Montgomery said: “Now I want you to give each of the nurses with whom I’ve been photographed a copy of the picture. Will you do that for me?” The photographer said he would write to his editor about the suggestion. Confetti for Mr Jones When the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) stepped out of the official car which was carrying Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery to the civic reception in the King Edward Barracks yesterday he looked as though he had come from a wedding. Much of the confetti which was thrown at the car by the field-marshal’s admirers had lodged in the Minister’s clothes and hat. Before he went forward to meet the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews), the field-marshal carefully brushed down the Minister’s coat. Arabic Greeting

Various popular Arabic and Italian phrases greeted Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery during his visit yesterday. At the Returned Services’ Association reception in the afternoon a loud and clear “Saida. George,” followed the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Field-Marshal Montgomery acknowledged the greeting with a cheery wave.