HITCH IN MARCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 111, 12 May 1937, Page 10

HITCH IN MARCH

TROOPS DIVERTED

WENT BACK FOR THEIB GOATS

CROWD DISAPPOINTED

For some thousands of people who had congregated in Willis smd Mercer Streets and along Lambtoir Quay from Grey Street southwards for the special purpose of seeing the military ,■ unit! march through the town, the official Coronation proceedings did not go with a. swing and were not completed without a hitch. Only the mechanised units came through the city and up Willis Street, the greater part of thY parade being diverted down Grey Street and into Jervoia Quay. Crowd* of people had waited in Willis Street and the southern part1 of Larribton Quay for an hour or more, and naturally when the full parade, as had beea announced it would do, did not marcli along the Quay for the full distance and then up Willis Street before" turning into; Mercer Street, to the . dismissal area in the vicinity of the Central Fire Station, there was very keea disappointment and not a little indignation. ■■■■". ■ ; When eventually it was learned that the troops had been diverted many of the people made a rush into the street! leading from Willis Street in the direction of the wharves in the hope of seeing something of the units on foot,, but even if they did see something of the parade, it was -nothing -like .th« real thing . " , . : .. '..... OFFICIAL. EXPLANATION. The official explanation given forthe diversion of the troops was that it was made to enable them to-pick up their greatcoats at the assembly point in Waterloo Quay. This .'alternative route, although not in the orders, had been prearranged, it was stated, a week ago to meet the position should the men .through Uncertain .weather bring th eir ■ greatcoats and then hot find it necessary to wear them. The decision as to whether the greatcoats were to be worn or not was left until 10 o'clock this morning. The rather uncertain outlook of the nearly morning gave way to bright weather, and under, such circumstances the great*: coats were unnecessary. Accordingly, they were left under guard in Waterloo Quay, except the coats of the men in the mechanised units who were able to take theirs, with; ! them, and Orders were given for the diversion of the troops on foot down Grey Street and thence by a definite route back 10 the assembly point in , Waterloo Quay. It appears, however, .'. that this route was not followed by all the units, and that the fact that the parade did not march through Willis Street .was not the only "incident." Some of.the units marched up to the Town Hall and ' others went back to Waterloo Quay; indeed, there appeared to be sections of the parade all _ over the °To cap all, the Artillery Band/which had been in attendance on the Royal Guard, about half an hour after the full parade was expected in Willis Street marched up this street," playing, martial airs. They looked splendid in their new uniforms, but they marched alone—in glorious isolation. The returned soldiers who paraded would have, been glad of their company in the procession; many of them, had to sing and whistle their way along-1» keep in step. . ; . '. _ ■ .