SYDNEY'S GIRL IDOL

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 139, 16 June 1930, Page 9

SYDNEY'S GIRL IDOL

(From "The Post's" Representative.) ■ SYDNEY, 12th June. It is doubtful whether the Prince of Wales could arouse more enthusiasm among Sydney crowds than Miss Amy Johnson has. It is no exaggeration to say that for a whole week she has been idolised. Her name has been on every lip, and thousands have fought battles with the sole object of seeing her smiling face. Everywhere she has gone the crowd has followed her, cheering her ■ frantically. And she has waved her arm in reply until she can scarcely raise it above her head. Indeed, it was quite pathetic to see her standing in her car and a strong police constable holding up her arm, which was only too ready to fall into its place at her side. There has been a great deal of criticism of the authorities because they have endeavoured to keop her exact whereabouts,, at times, secret. But this was necessary for her own protection. Even Miss Johnson herself has found it necessary to appeal to the people not to be too demonstrative. She complained that on one occasion she was slapped on the back by an overenthusiastic man—and the slap occasioned her some pain. Then at another function, someone threw a cake at her and struck her on the chin; She fully appreciates all that has been done for her, but most people agree that the line should be drawn somewhere. When Miss Johnson visited one of the big city stor-es it was only with the greatest difficulty that sjie was protected from the wild crowd, anxious to pay her homage. Strange to say, the next day she went shopping unannounced, and no one knew her! CEOWD AT CENOTAPH. There appears to be v some justification, for saying that the Sydney crowd forgot itself when Miss Johnson laid a wreath on the Cenotaph. A section of the people forgot the solemnity of the occasion, and some even climbed on the sacred stone so that they could secure a view of their heroine. There was only a small body of police at the Conotaph, and as soon as Miss Johnson appeared 5000 people brushed past the police as though they were not there. The police rushed to form a bodyguard around the motor-car, but not before many people had jumped on to the running board in an endeavour to touch the girl. Cheers rang throughout Martin place, handkerchiefs fluttered from countless windows, and still the police ex-erted themselves to keep back the crowd. Johnnie, emerging from the car, was lost in the crowd to be seen again only at intervals. She was literally engulfed, and when she did reach the car again, the hand she raised was steady and not waving, and the pleasant smile had left her lips. But sho had placed the wreath on the Cenotaph. As sho moved away half a dozen people climbed .on to the stone and had to be removed by the police. One of the wreaths showed signs of having been trodden upon, Simply put, the crowd did not give Johnnie a chance. Yes, it has been a wild week for Sydney, but a wonderful tribute to a wonderful girl.