MILD SENSATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 233, 30 August 1935, Page 11

MILD SENSATION.

TWO MEN ON STATE E. WELLINGTON, Aug. 30. An unrehearsed incident caused a mild sensation at Parliament grounds yesterday afternoon and slightly marred the picturesque ceremony of the Governor-General s inspection of the guard of honour at the front door of Parliament House. Two determined-looking men—one was wearing a scarlet sweater — had clambered to the top of the high base of the Seddon statue. Their conspicuous perch and grim appearance attracted the attention of several thousands of spectators. One of them had a brown paper parcel. Excited questions were asked and exclamations made as a posse of police hurried toward the odd eyrie, j The parcel was opened and there emerged a gaud}' banner. A brisk ! wind, however, together with the necessity for the men “minding their step,” hindered a lull unfurling of the challenging flag. Almost before the spectators could read the slogan demanding higher pay for relief workers, an energetic detective, with the aid of a “leg-up” from a constable, had wrenched the banner out of the agitators’ hands. Loss of the flag did not daunt them. While detectives and constables were helping one another in an “Excelsior” act, each of the men in turn harangued the excited crowd near the base of the statue. Even after a constable had grappled with the men thev clung to the statue, tried to kick away clutching hands, and kept on agitating- ... But their position was too precarious to last, and ultimately both, together with a policeman or two, half slithered ami half tumbled olf the statue. No one was hurt. Several onlookers demonstrated against the police. The two men were taken to the watch-house.