VICTORY HOLIDAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 136, 10 May 1945, Page 4

VICTORY HOLIDAY

CITY IN QUIET MOOD NO CELEBRATIONS TODAY There was. little general activity in Palmerston North today when most of the husiness firms observed a holiday in compliance with the request of tne Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Nash). No organised entertainments had been arranged and few residents ventured out of doors in the cold wind which prevailed.

Only shops supplying esso.ntial services were open this morning, but these were closed for the afternoon. The decorations still fluttered gaily in the breeze and pieces of confetti and paper which had been dropped out of windows above the procession yesterday littered the Square. Police officials, in commenting on the behaviour of the crowd yesterday, stated that it was exemplary. There was some jubilation late in the afternoon, hut it was to the credit of the city that no arrests were made for drunkenness and order prevailed.

It was originally intended that the Ohakea Air Force Rand, with a number of airmen, should take part in the victory parade in Palmerston North yesterday, but plans were changed and a ceremony was held on the station at Ohakea. There was a full parade under Group-Captain R. G. Cohen, A.F.C., who read the news of the capitulation of Germany and then a message Irom the Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal Isitt). Prayers were recited and a march past took place with Group-Captain Cohen taking the salute. Some comment was made during the parade yesterday on the .absence of detachments from the Army. The area officer (Captain K. G. Chamberlain) states that the reason is that there are only a few troops in camp at Linton and fewer at the Showgrounds so that it was not possible to obtain even a platoon for the parade. In contrast to the absence of organised celebrations and entertainment today, it is recalled by residents that on the second day following the receipt of the news of the armistice in 191 S there was a big programme of events. The proceedings began with a sports meeting at the Showgrounds at 1 p.m. for the children. This was followed by the firing of 21 field guns and a demonstration by the Hunt Club. In the evening there was a procession to the Showgrounds, with the "Darktbwn Fire Brigade," figures representing the Allies on lorries in procession, bonfires, massed choirs, and the burning of an effigy of the Kaiser on horseback. At the principal gathering on the first, day, addresses appropriate to the occasion were given by the Mayor (Mr J. A. Nash), Rev A". Doull, Colonel Hume, Officer Commanding the Wellington Military District, Mr P. A. McHardy, LieutColonel McDonald, Messrs Stamp (president of the local branch of the A.S.R.S.), J. Linklater (chairman of the Kairanga County Council), Lieutenant B. S. Jacobs (as a returned soldier) and Mr P. Te Awe Awe, representing the native race.

ORDERLINESS OF CROWDS (Press Assn..) WELLINGTON, May 10. Two J.P.'s, Messrs J. 1.. Goldsmith and W. E. Leadley, presiding over the Court this morning, were surprised to find only one case to deal with. They had expected to find a batch after yesterday's street celebrations. The sole case was that of a sailor who was taken into custody last night after the police had vainly tried to pacify him. He seemed determined to have a fight with somebody. After convicting and discharging the man, the Bench congratulated the police on the manner in which they must have controlled the crowds.