ROYAL TOUR Concert Crowd Breaks Barriers

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30065, 25 February 1963, Page 11

ROYAL TOUR Concert Crowd Breaks Barriers

(NJ!. Press AMoeiatteu—CopyripM) MELBOURNE, February 24. Excited spectators at Melbourne’s Myer Music Bowl, where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended an out* door concert • today, broke through barriers and surged towards the Royal box during the singing of “Land of Hope and Glory.” At least one woman was injured, and several Royal tour correspondents, sitting on a reserved area of lawn, were trampled underfoot.

The Queen was facing away from the incident, and apparently did not- see the injured woman receiving medical attention a few yards away as the Royal party left the stadium. Hie Queen and toe Duke obviously enjoyed the concert, which was attended by about 2000 people in the bowl itself and about 15,000 others sitting on toe surrounding lawns. Earlier the Queen and the Duke gave a “Buckingham Palace” luncheon aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia, tor guests representing civic and sporting interests in Victoria. The guests included the Nobel prize-winning scientist, Sir Macfariane Burnet: the test cricketer, W. E. Lawry; the skipper of Gretel, Australia’s challenger for the Americas Cup, Jock Sturrock; and the world champion swimmer. Dawn Fraser. Tonight the Duke had a meeting aboard the Royal yacht with Australian members of his study conference on human problems in industrial communities. This morning, crowds waited outside historic Scots Church in central Melbourne to see the Royal couple arrive in an open car to attend the morning service. After the service, the Queen unveiled a memorial window and wall mosaic commemor-

ating members of Scots Church who gave their lives in two world wars. Highlights of yesterday’s programme were the arrival of the Royal yacht in the Yarra river in the morning, the Royal couple’s visit to Flemington racecourse, and a reception In the Melbourne town hall last night. The Queen and the Duke mingled informally with guests at the town hall reception—one of the largest ever held in Melbourne.

Sunday newspaper reports today complained that the Queen’s visit to the races yesterday was spoiled by “an epidemic ot staring.” “Hundreds ot fashionablydressed women racegoers packed the enclosure around the Royal box at Flemington racecourse staring fixedly through binoculars at the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh,” the “Sunday Telegraph” said. “The Queen did her beat to ignore the display of bad manneTS. But at times she was obviously ill at ease. “Matrons in new summer ensembles climbed half-way up the fences surrounding the mounting yard and for several hours did not cease gawking at the Royal party. “Even when the races were being run, women continued to watch the Queen and not the horses.” It said. “Newspapermen seated at the rear of the Royal box watched a section ot Melbourne's racegoing public stage the worst yet display of rudeness on the current tour. “The Queen seemed to be trying to take her mind off the ‘starere’ by intently watching the horses in action and Questioning the Victorian Racing Club chairman, Mr Ross Grey-6«nlth, seated alongside her.'* The newspaper said the staring incident was as bad as similar incidents at Flemington during the 1954 tour, when the Queen was forced to leave the Royal box for 10 minutes. The Queen was visibly pleased yesterday when she was able to leave the box for luncheon and later afternoon tea in the privacy of a downstairs room, the report said. In the morning an estimated 80.000 people lined the route from Henley to Flemington racecourse. The Queen and the Duke drove along Swanston street through the main city area, where crowds were six-deep behind the barricades. Flowers Defleeted A man tried to throw a bunch of flowers to the Queen as her car drove across Princess bridge to enter the heart of the ctty. A police constable saw the man start to throw the flowers, jumped Into the air and deflected them. The flowers hit the side of the car and fell to the ground. Bystanders said that but for the policeman's quick action the flowers would probably have struck the Queen. As soon as the Royal car had passed, police grabbed the man and took him to a nearby police station.

It was found that the man was an invalid. The police said later that because ot his disability he was not held but would be proceeded against later on summons.

More than 2000 gaily decorated small boats greeted the Queen when the Britannia steamed into Port Phillip Bay yesterday As the Britinnia passed each group ot boats they fell in behind her. blaring their sirens.

Diefenbaker In London

OfJtJ’.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON. Feb. 23. The Canadian Prime MinJeter (Mr Diefenbaker) had a long talk with the British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) at Admiralty House tonight after flying in from Canada. They were believed to have discussed the way trade could be expanded between Britain and Canada, toe aftermath of the Common Market breakdown, and the coming Canadian general election.

Britain’s adverse balance of trade with Canada will be considered in the adjournment debate in the House of Commons next Thursday.