BARGAIN-HUNTERS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6889, 20 April 1929, Page 15

BARGAIN-HUNTERS

besiege city shops. Attracted by the fact that three largo drapery firms were holding sales and by the prospect of many bargains, the gentler sex almost unanimously invaded the town yesterday morning. In one case it was not until tho police -wore called in that the doors were cleared. In all cases the passage of the crowds through the doors had to be regulated, says a Christchurch exchange. As soon as the doors were opened at the different establishments, huge crowds rushed in, and soon the shop spaces were crowded out. Tho big staff of assistants which had been engaged for the emergency, were kept very busy attending to tho customers requests. Around all the counters and tables huge crowds gathered, and with eager hands, women, with tho feverish “sale” light in their eyes, were pursuing the promised “bargains.” Outside one establishment large crowds had gathered and pushed close up against the doors, which bore the notices, “Crowded Out. Open Shortly.” : Like the usual Christchurch crowd, however, it was a patient one, and when the notices “Re-open at 2 p.m.” were put up very few moved off . The crowd still held on, hoping against hope that those in charge would relent and let them in. A constable moved through the press, requesting the people to “move on,’:’ but though some took the hint others were unmoved—both in mind and body—by the spectacle of the law’s majesty. As time woro on and the crowd increased, traffic along tho footpath became blocked, . the block overflowed into tho road, causing trouble to motorists, who went by slowly with loud complaining blasts of their horns. At about 11.30 a relief force of police arrived on. tho scene, and working from both ends gradually forced the crowd off the footpath. Business was able to proceed once more in peace.