THE DOG AND THE UNION JACK

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 114, 10 November 1934, Page 25

THE DOG AND THE UNION JACK

Along the *out« of the Eoyal progress in Melbourne s on the day 'of Prince Henry's arrival'Vere eighty "strong posts"—stands for-nearly everyisubur^, ban council in Melbourne and-for most of the associations in Victoria. Prominent among these "strong posts" were two stands for old colonists. 3|he CentenaTy Celebrations Committee received 700 applications for-seats 'on these stands; but seats were -reserved for only 500, and the youngest was 65 years of age. The oldest pcrs9n to receive an invitation for a "strong post" was Mrs. Jlunro, of Bichmond, who celebrated her 101 st birthday recently. Charabancs were sent to the old colonists' home'at Fitzroy to convey fifty residents from the home, and, so that, they would not feel the of sitting for more than'two honrs' on the wooden Beats, cushions were provided. Some of the- old people were tottering and'feeble, but they enjoyed their view of, the'Boyal'procession, many waving their stout walking-sticks and ehoering as the Duke's car drove past them. To the old people the Duke •gaive" special, bows. Not a few recalled having seen the; Duke's .father, King, George; ' when , he. visited Australia thir'ty three"yeairs ago;r . ■/:■■ :■■■■■■ ■■■; >'X Other stands which commanded much attention on the route of the Royal progress wero for the totally disabled and limbless soldiers and a "strong ■post" for the Victorian Blind Institute. On the lasi-name.d were sixty totally blind persons fwith 150/ friendS, -who were able to describe thfe scen,es as the Duke passed. •Mingling with the crowds for their]

I 1 s f)- ■ * protection were,at least,flfty detectives, with Sydnejr'inen on exchange duty, and 100 plainclothes men.' .In addition to these, 250 foot and 120 mounted police from the country districts, and 50 recruits from the police depot, joined forces with'the metropolitan police in directing traffic and controlling crowds, for -which dutyC the Tecruits had been specially trained. , .About 1000 police were available for Centenary duty while the Prince was in Melbourne. , ' Dress was carefree along the South Melbourne end of the route' of the Eoyal progress. • There were top 'hats arid bemedalled uniforms at the pier, and at one or two officials stands along the route, but Port and South Melbourne appeared to believe that the Prince would not appreciate their wel-come-any more' if they put on Sunday clothes.' T,or them, hats' and stockings were optional. ( Green, black, and blue flannel slacks were good form. As tha buildings became more dignified, approaching St. Kilda, so did the crowd's dress become more formal. But St. Kilda had to provide a novelty. It. was an Alsatian dog with a large Union Jack tied around its body. The dog held undisputed possession of a corner of a "strong post" whose other occupants wore dignified city fathers. Along St. Kilda Eoad jokes and peanuts crackled through the crowd. The first cheer was when a tramp with his bluey on his,shoulder, and his black billy hanging, ambled, along the route. f The tramp was regally indifferent to the demonstration, but a policej man piloted him behind the lines.