CITY THRONGED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 130, 3 May 1941, Page 6

CITY THRONGED

CONCENTRATION OF TROOPS READY FOR MANOEUVRES. Not since the Great War have so many khaki-clad men been seen in Palmerston North than was the case last evening., the late shopping night, when partial leave was granted the troops in the four camps in and about the city, 'i'hoiisa-nds oi men thronged the business area, and filled the foolpaths so that pedestrian traffic overnowed oil to the roadways. About certain shops where "small items uselul to the Territorial engaged on field exercises could be bougnt the traffic wasbrought practically to a standstill as a slowly-moving crowd of civilians and soldiers wove a pattern of colour. Picture theatres were invaded as bv small armies and restaurants were, faced with a flood of young men who. in some cases, consumed the whole of the available supplies. Closing the bu-t mild day of a week before cold weather and rain descended on the whole district this morning, the evening provided a few hours oi rush In soft drink sales.

In the areas where there was the most congestion the best of manners were seen* and despite the abnormal number of people in the city, forming practically a crush like that on Christmas Eve, the behaviour of the men drew forth commendation. The proprietor of one restaurant which sold practically everything eatable in the building said the Territorials were "the best crowd of boy 6 we have ever served here." SHELTER FROM RAIN.

Early this morning, following wind which" freshened during the night', cold rain drifted in off the ranges and became heavier as the day wore on. At the racecourses at Awapuni and at Ashhurst the stands and other buildings are being utilised for shelter, at' the Showgrounds there are large buildings, and this, together with a great number of tents, proved most acceptable under the somewhat dismal conditions. The troops made the best of the matter and ground sheets were much in evidence.

Before daylight on Monday morning the first of the motorised columns will move off on the advance to Masterton. Between 7 and 8.30 a.m. a column about 12 miles long will negotiate the Pahiatua Track, at the same time another column of similar length will pass through the Manawatu Gorge; and from 10 30 to 11.30 a.m. still another about three miles long will use the same route. Civilian traffic is to be facilitated where possible, but it is pointed out that a certain amount of deby may be inevitable. Except for a bridge across the Pohangina River at Ashhurst township, the Saddle Hill Road, an alternative route across the ranges immediately north of the Gorge, lias been completed and brought up to main highway standard. Engineers attached to the "force have been called on to bridge the river so that traffic may use the route by 6 a.m. on Monday, and part of the force will travel to the other side of the ranges by this road.