Montgomery’s Visit To Greymouth: Plans For Tomorrow

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1947, Page 6

Montgomery’s Visit To Greymouth: Plans For Tomorrow

As Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery drives down Mackay street,. Greyrn.outh, to-, morrow afterno.on en route to the combined civic and Returned Services Association reception in the Regent Theatre, he will be greeted by the pupils of Grey district schools, and it is expected, several thousand Greymouth residents. Special arrangements have been made for.the transport of Greymputh and some country school children into town and they will be in charge of Captain G. W. Ormandy, of the Greymouth Technical School. The children will line Mackay street from the railway station to the Regent Theatre and will be assembled in position at 4.15 p.m. In order to facilitate these arrangements and to prevent any obstruction to the official cars Mackay street for its whole length will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4.15 p.m. until after the reception. During this period, no traffic will be permitted even across the intersections.

Arrival at 4.25 p.m.

The car’ carrying Visepunt Montgomery is scheduled to arrive at Greymouth at 4.25 p.m. and will proceed at a slow pace, preceded probably by two police cars. The route it will follow will be past the railway station and down Mackay street to the front entrance of the Regent Theatre. On alighting at the theatre, Viscount Montgomery will be greeted by the Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) and the Town Clerk (Mr F. H. Denton). It is desired to avoid delay at this juncture and the introductions to other members of the official party will take place in the foyer of the theatre.

Members of the Greymouth branch of the Returned Services Association, in charge of Major R. M. S. Orbell, will parade at the theatre at 3.45 p.m. and together with members of the police force will form lines through which the official party will pass from the motor cars into the theatre. To avoid any congestion, it will be necessary for members of the public desiring to witness the reception to take their seats before the arrival of the official party and to remain seated until after it has left. This restriction will not, however, apply to the members of the R.S.A., for whom seating accommodation has been reserved. Loud speakers erected in front of the theatre will enable those remaining outside to hear proceedings. A radio broadcast will also be made.

The actual ceremony, it is expected, will be brief. Addresses of welcome to the distinguished visitor will be given by the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr F. A. Kitchingham), the president of the Greymouth Returned Services Association (Mr O. McLean), and the Mayor of Hokitika (Mr A. R. Elcock). The Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, who is travelling with the official, party, will also speak. Viscouht Montgomery will reply to the addresses. Accommodation in Hall With reservations for returned servicemen and official guests, accommodation in the hall will be limited and special arrangements are being made to avoid undue crowding. The public will not be permitted to stand in the aisles of the stalls and will not be permitted to remain in the foyer. It is expected that the hall will be filled before the arrival of the official party and in that event, no one will be permitted Through the police ranks. Following the reception Viscount Montgomery will proceed by car direct to Revington’s Hotel, where he will remain overnight. Special arrangements have been made, including the installation of a direct telephone line from the post office to an office in the hotel, for the use of the official party. Viscount Montgomery will leave on Thursday morning for Westport. A request has been made by the Mayor for bunting to be flown in Greymouth tomorow and for all business permises to be closed in. time for staffs to attend the reception. RECEPTION PLANS AT REEFTON (0.C.) REEFTON, This Day. Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery will arrive in Reefton at approximately 3 p.m. tomorrow on his way to Greymouth from Christchurch, via the Lewis Pass. His car will proceed along the full length of Broadway at a walking pace, but it is understood that no stop will be made at Reefton.

Arrangements have been made for members of the Reefton R.S.A. to parade and line the Inangahua river bridge in lower Broadway. Children from all schools in the Inangahua district will line Broadway.

A sports meeting has been planned, for the school children at Reefton tomorrow.