Youths Climb on to Roof.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17335, 5 December 1919, Page 6

Youths Climb on to Roof.

An enterprising section of young men had climbed up on to the cumgated roof, and proceeded to storm the skylights. The police were powerless in such a huge crowd. The tinkling of broken glass was mingled with cheers and hoots from hundreds of voices.

There -was not seating accommodation left for anybody in the building a quarter of an hour before the announced time of opening the meeting, and as there was a large percentage of ladies present the exceptionally large posse of police on special duty would not then allow any more people to enter. Under these circumstances it was seen that it wouid be unwise to continue with the meeting, because in the event of anyone being overcome by the vitiated atmosphere it would have been almost impossible to reach the exits. Mr. Massey himself was doubtful about proceeding with the meeting, owing to the density and the excitement of the audience, but the Mayor advised him to stay. Mayor's Efforts Useless. Just as the Mayor proceeded to open the meeting a determined storm was set up by a section of those who were locked out on a fire escape, and the chairman's remarks were inaudible, because a great din was set up by battering rams used by the stormers. Dr. Thacker was heard to say that it was only British fair play to give the Prime Minister of the country a ; fair hearing. He regretted that Christj church did not have a large enough hall to accommodate the huge crowd which desired to hear the leader of the Government speak in Christchurch. After the chairman's remarks, Mr. Massey briefly conferred with him, and then, rose to speak. "He had hardly expressed his pleasure at seeing such a huge gathering when his voice was drowned by an excited effort of the battering rams on the side doors, and these giving way, hundreds of men "poured into the already overcrowded audience. It was estimated that there were between 6000 and 7000 people in the hall. A Bush for the Exits. A police official was noticed fighting his way to the platform, when the Mayor stood up and announced above the tumult that the meeting could not be held in the Coliseum on account of overcrowding, but that Mr. Massey would give an address at the band rotunda in Victoria Square. There was then a rush for the exits by electors desiring to gain vantage points at Victoria Square. Those who got there were regaled by a brass band giving an open-air concert. Meanwhile Mr. Massey and others were fighting their way to the anterooms behind the platform. Mr. Massey remained in an anteroom until the congestion was removed, and then went to his hotel. Interviewed afterwards the Mayor said he was very sorry for what had occurred, but it proved the need for Christchurch having a town hall, which could accommodate the vast crowds which turned out on such occasions. PANDEMONIUM REIGNS. RIVAL PARTIES COME TO BLOWS. [by telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday. When the Mayor announced' that Mr. Massey would speak from . the baud rotunda, and Dr. Thacker and Mr. Massey had left the stage, there was an immediate exodus for the doors, but a large section of the audience suspected "camouflage " and refused to go. They were correct in their suspicion, for recognising thai it would be madness to venture outside wSth the rowdy element in such dangerous mood, Mr. Massey, in company with the Mayor, repaired to a small room at the back of the stage. Unruly as the meeting had been when Mr. Massey rose to address it, the scene now became one of pandemonium. The noice was deafening. Rival parties came to blows. Mob orators attempted to address the meeting, and an egg, intended for one of them, caught a reporter in the eye. The lights were switched off, but this only added a further grim touch to an already ugly scene. Up went the lights again, and a section of the crowd outside poured back into the Coliseum. Dr. Thacker mounted the stage, and tried to tell the crowd that Mr. Massey had left, but such a roar of tumult arose when he tried to speak that he had to give up the attempt, telling all those within hearing that Mr. Massey had gone. Dr. Thacker tried to create a diversion by making for the door to leave the building, and the result of the action was largely a successful one. Then gradually by degrees the police cleared the building, which was plunged into darkness before the "Prime Minister emerged. Methods of a successful exit were discussed, and it was reported that there was a very large crowd at the Gloucester Street entrance, but comparatively few at the Armagh Street entrance. A taxicab was summoned, and Mr. Massey was driven away from Armagh Street to the accompaniment of a few vigorous hoots from the small crowd assembled. Round in Gloucester Street and at the band rotunda large crowds waited patiently, buit in vain. l