FIELD-MARSHAL INTERVENES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25244, 24 July 1947, Page 6

FIELD-MARSHAL INTERVENES

PHOTOGRAPHER AND POLICE

From Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH, July 23. When a photographer of “The Press” wa<s being forcibly rempved by a constable to the outskirts of the ?rowd gathered this morning at the junction of the Lewis Pass highway and the Hqnmer Springs road, FieldMarshal Montgomery broke off his chat to the crowd to intervene and have the photographer brought back. Tne field-marshal personally directed the position on the front of his car from where the photographer could work, and asked him to take several group pictures. Protesting his accreditation, the photographer was ordered off the bumper bar of the car when Lord Montgomery was chatting to sisters and nurses from the military hospitalA constable took the photographer by the shoulder and forced him through the crowd. “He wants to take a picture,” called out Lord Montgomery. “Bring him The Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) simultaneously called: “Bring him back.” The crowd also supported the command by cheering as tne photographer was escorted back. At Lord Montgomery’s instructions a rug was placed over the bonnet of the car so that the photographer could get the best position for his shot. Tne field-marshal invited the nurses to pack round so as to be in the picture, and when it was taken he tola the photographer that he would like a copy of it. School childrep and tiny tots were next invited by the visitor to crowd round the car to be photographed With him. He was patting a little girl s head when it was taken. Before he had lunch at Maruia Springs, Lord Montgomery asked the photographer to tpke a photograph of school children with him later.