CAPITAL CELEBRATES IN RAIN

Evening Star, Issue 25564, 17 August 1945, Page 3

CAPITAL CELEBRATES IN RAIN

The broadcast announcement of the 1 news for which the world had waited i for only a few days short of six years i was the signal for the commencement ; of unrestrained rejoicing in Welling- i ton. Mr Attlee had hardly, finished i speaking before ships' sirens, factory i whistles, and motor horns joined in a i screaming chorus. Within a minute | people were pouring out of shops and ' offices into the city and showers 1 of torn paper were swirling down on 1 them from windows and balconies over- i head. The telephone service was t jammed as people rushed to tell each 1 other the good tidings. ' Within five minutes the main streets i were a mass of cheering, shouting, and 1 singing people, many equipped as if f by magic with flags, whistles, rattles, ] paper hats, and streamers. Though i

the shops were to have remained open for two hours, many closed their doors, almost immediately, both employers and staff being unable to resist the infectious spirit; of celebration.; The morning was dull, and in the afternoon fine steady rain set in, but' that did nothing to dampen the spirits of the gayest crowd Wellington has ever seen; The bands played alternately from the balcony of a Willis street,hotel, and the crowd massed . below sang from their hearts. Hotel bars and lounges did a roaring trade, and it was not long before bottles were being passed round in the streets. _ Generally, the crowds were high-spirited but goodhumoured. There was little-irrespon-sible rowdyism. Public and privateproperty was respected, and the fun was confined to legitimate channels;