“A Bit Of A Struggle”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30476, 25 June 1964, Page 3

“A Bit Of A Struggle”

(N Z. Press Association: . AUCKLAND, June 23. Beatle fans kicked, pushed and clawed over one another in ah attempt to catch a brief glimpse of the singers when they arrived at the Royal International Hotel in Auckland this afternoon. Three women in the crowd of 2000 fainted and had to be carried to safety. One, who was trampled on, was dragged into the hotel and later taken to the Auckland Hospital casualty department by ambulance.

Another young fan, who lost her footing, was almost forced under the wheels of the car carrying the group by the weight of the crowd. A policeman managed to snatch her upright just in time.

Unable to move, people were jammed against the car. Some fans clawed at the windows of the vehicle as it moved at a snail's pace into

the back cart dock of the hotel. One policeman was picked up and thrown on the bonnet of the car by the crowd. The officer in charge of the police guard at the hotel. Inspector A. G. Berriman, said the crowd proved “a bit of a struggle for a while.” Young girls lost their shoes and handbags in the struggle.

One girl had the front of her frock ripped and some of the dozen policemen protecting the back entrance also had their clothing torn. Police had a simple job keeping the crowd contained until the Beatles arrived. About 2000 people gathered on the footpaths, on the road and high on neighbouring buildings.