FIELD-MARSHAL MONTGOMERY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25249, 30 July 1947, Page 8

FIELD-MARSHAL MONTGOMERY

Enthusiasm Of Aucklanders

CHEERING CROWDS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 29. Great enthusiasm in every township, borough, and hamlet marked the progress of Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery from Rotorua to Auckland today. Only for royalty have Aucklanders. of city and country alike, ever before so freely abandoned their reserve and given such evidence of their admiration and affection. Field-Marshal Montgomery saluted and waved until his arms must have ached. For long miles he stood erect in his open car, steadying himself with his left hand and with his other giving either the famous Montgomery salute or the equally famous Montgomery wave to all New Zealanders who had come to do honour to him. To the muddy farmer who waved a Kiwi hat over a wire fence, he gave as precise a salute as he did to the mayors and other public representatives. Interest in Children A solitary little girl, who, with rare foresight, had chosen to stand on the outskirts of Hunlly where the fieldmarshal was changing cars, was able to do little more than stammer when the great soldier crossed the road and shook her hand. Children in the Green Lane Hospital were visited at the fieldmarshal's special request, and no wayside group of girls and boys was too small to bring the convoy down to a crawl while Field-Marshal Montgomery returned the greetings of some of his most ardent admirers. Adults cheereu as New Zealanders rarelv cheer except at a Rugby football match and waved flags. Members of the field-marshal s party, especially those of his British Army ttaff. had expressed amazement at the warmth of the welcomes given in the south, but they had been warned by Aucklanders to expect an equal enthusiasm as the convoy moved north. Even the most loyal northerners expected nothing like the crowd of admirers who waited hours by the readside for a fleeting glimpse of the black beret. Field-Marshal Montgomery s wave, and a view of five big cars hurrying to the city. All the way from Rotorua to Auckland to-dav H was the same.

Tn Hamill oh tne cars were only just able to move with files of policemen marching on each side and with mudguards brushing the clothes of the more enthusiastic spectators A crowd estimated at 6000 people packed the Bledisloe Hall to the doors for the civic reception. Field-Marshal Montgomery had luncheon as the guest of the Returned Services’ Association.

At Ngaruawahia the field-marshal’s second full-scale Maori welcome awaited him. To his growing collection of Maori gifts, was added a carved mere presented on behalf of Kine Koroki and the Ngatihaua tribe. He shook hands with King Koroki. Princess Te Puea. and other prominent Waikato Macris.