FIRST REACTION

Evening Star, Issue 25563, 15 August 1945, Page 5

FIRST REACTION

HUSH: THEN DELIRIUM CITY ENVELOPED IN NOISE , YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE MERRY The first hews of the great surrender seemed to numb Dunedin people. There was a vibrant silence about the city streets. Then the tidings flashed tike wildfire, and people who had anticipated the end of it all hurried into shops to make their purchases of food and prepare for the holidays to fdllow. The reaction of persons clustered about radios provided a commentary on the complexities of human emotion. Most of them '

were calm, some were tearful, others were dazed. All that was needed to awaken the public from its spell of bewilderment was some spontaneous manifestation of joy, for that was the key to what was essentially the reaction of the multitude. And it came in the form of a mighty surge of sound, the sudden appearance of bunting, and the delirious acclaim of citizens young and old.

This key to the celebration's was officially turned by the Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron), who was in session with members of the City of Dunedin Development Counoil at the Town Hall when the announcement of the end of the war was made. The meeting quickly dispersed after hearing the radio flash, and just as quickly the Mayor gave the order for the sirens to be sounded. That Was at 11,15, and just before the cacaphony of sound that seemed to envelop the city the flags of the United Nations, the 'Red flag of the Soviet Union being the first to flutter in the breeze of a sunny morning-, were broken, from the Town Hall. Then pandemonium broke loose.

CITY GOES WILD. The blasts of ships’ whistles were followed by the joyous peal of bells from the Town Hall, the piercing shriek of the air raid siren in Cumberland street, the hooting of railway engines, and the shrill scream of the fire brigade 'whistle at the Stock Exchange. The excited voices of celebrants, with their rattles and their piping trumpets, the blasting of motor car horns, and the normal noises of everyday traffic filled in . the background to this mad fortissimo. Dunedin had caught the proper fever of V.J.-Day—and the end of World War 11.

The crowds which poured into the streets in. a matter of minutes after the news came through tended to concentrate in two ,key points in the city —at the Stock Exchange and at the Octagon—with hundreds of young folk peregrinating between the two areas. From the top of the Chief Post Office showers of cut paper fluttered down into the noisy streets lit by brilliant sunshine, the tiny pieces of what were once Government documents glistening as they fell slowly to form in a thick carpet on the pavement. Cascades of brightly-coloured paper fell from the clock tower at the Town Hall at noon.

It was principally a crowd of young people—students, school children, and factory workers predominating. Some of the younger folk could probably not recall very clearly the days of peace whose return they were celebrating, but that did not dampen their enthusiasm. They were rejoicing that some things which they had always been told were due to the war might soon disappear.

MOTORISTS ABANDON CARS. For an hour or so motorists were able to drive along Princes and George streets. Many , cars quickly appeared decorated with flags and the streamers which they accumulated in their journeys, but as the day wore on drivers did hot find it so easy to pass through the thronged thoroughfares. Then they decided it was easier to abandon their vehicles in the back streets and join on foot the ever-thickening Crowds. Some lorries and floats with concert parties on board still managed to make their way among the people, and their passengers were cheered as they contributed to the pleasant noises of the day. Confetti was distributed generously over passers-by. , Miniature coloured hats were worn by hundreds. Crocodiles and small processions'were formed by others. And so the people of Dunedin jostled each other through the streets as they gave way to their .happiness. _ • . Most workers were quickly released from their duties, but there Were some who Scarcely had time to realise the significance of the occasion in.the sudden rush of work which the celebrations caused them. The telegraph counter at the Chief Post Office became exceedingly busy as hundreds of citizens attempted to send messages to friends and relations in other towns and abroad. Gas, electricity and railway workers continued their duties, and the newspaper employees set about recording and publishing the great news of the day. THE CUP THAT CHEERS.

In the hotels, to which many people promptly repaired, business was unusually brisk as supplies of the cup that cheers were nought for immediate consumption and for the ensuing celebrations. Barmen Were rushed off their feet, but the waiting crowds were not impatient. There were no soenes of disorderliness as in the premature celebrations in other dominions, and as the day wore on the hilarity of the morning was not diminished. The impromptu cacophonous sounds of noisy toys heard immediately after the first announcement of peace Were gradually merged with the more melodious sounds of organised orchestras and concert parties, and the crowds joined in popular patriotic choruses. In the suburbs, decorations were promptly displayed, and many householders were busily engaged in erecting, again the displays of coloured lights which gave the hill suburbs, a most picturesque appearance during the celebrations at the. end of the war in Europe. These will shine forth, tonight, and probably for the rest of this great week