INCIDENT IN SQUARE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28920, 13 June 1959, Page 12

INCIDENT IN SQUARE

Police Disperse Soldiers

An ugly incident appeared likely when about 100 soldiers in uniform gathered in the triangle in the north-western section of Cathedral square about 7.45 p.m. yesterday. Abuse and challenges were hurled by soldiers at youths lining the edge of the footpath, but the youths did not move.

In a few minutes non-commis-sioned Army officers and police moved the soldiers on, and they made their way towards the northern entrance to the Square, where they gradually broke up. Until shortly before 7.45 pxn. the crowd in this section of Cathedral square was no greater than usual on a Friday evening, but there were far more policemen than usual, patrolling in pairs. Groups of persons standing on the footpath moved quickly to the edge of the gutter when requested to do so. Patrol cars passed frequently.- There appeared to be slightly fewer youths than usual in this section of the Square. Shortly before 7.45 p.m. about 18 soldiers assembled near the middle of the triangle. They stood about talking among themselves and looking at the youths on the footpath. Soon the number of soldiers increased, and they were packed into a solid mass. Then one or two among them began to hurl challenges at the youths. When the incident occurred there were no taxis on the stand which flanks one side of the triangle. The number of police in the area increased quickly, and there were a number of Christchurch City Council traffic officers present. A police patrol car and a traffic department car were parked in the triangle. Extra police were on duty in the Square last evening, and the regular beat was in charge of Sergeant J. F. Waugl\. Inspector S. J. Lush was in charge of the operation.