PARADE IN MELBOURNE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26175, 11 June 1946, Page 5

PARADE IN MELBOURNE

ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS MELBOURNE, ’ (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) June 10. Melbourne’s victory celebrations began at 11 a.m. with a 21-gun salute from the Domain as a procession of service men and women, and also civilian organisations, moved off on a march through the city streets, which were lined by about 200,000 people. R.A.A.F. planes roared overhead, but the sky show was stolen by the Gloster Meteor jet plane, which made other modern warplanes seem slow by comparison. The street march attracted demonstrations of the utmost enthusiasm, crowds breaking the barriers at several points and mobbing the marching servicemen. The morning was fine and sunny, but later a very cold wind sprang up. bringing several heavy showers.

The night celebrations were marred by a cold wind and showers, but enthusiastic crowds which took possession of the streets, from which all traffic was excluded, did not heed the windy conditions. They sang, danced, listened to concert parties, bands. et r etera, and ate refreshments from mobile canteens strategically placed around the city. A strong force of police was on duty to guard against unnecessary hooliganism. It is expected to be the early hours of the morning before the revellers break up.