DUKE MOBBED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 14, 7 April 1927, Page 13

DUKE MOBBED

BRISBANE INCIDENT POLICE RESOURCE FAILS MANY GIRLS AND WOMEN FAINT By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Rcvd. 9.45 a.m. BRISBANE, To-day. While the Duke of York was on his way to visit the Returned Soldiers, the police and military lost control of the crowd outside the entrance to the theatre and even the plunging of police horses was unable to quell the people’s ardour. The Duke’s car was unable to go on. and the Duke sat there for ten minutes while efforts were being made to clear a track across the footpath, but the effort was unavailing. Eventually the car made as though to return to Government House and proceeded by a circuitous route to the rear of the entrance hall. The Duke was thus enabled to keep his engagement. A redeeming feature of this unparalleled episode was that no effort was made actually to mob the car or even mount the running board. The police used every device in their power short of batoning the crowd, but were completely powerless. The crowd was composed largely of women and girls, many of whom fainted. Others had to receive hospital treatment.

The Duke left the theatre by a back entrance and made the return journev without incident.—A. and N.Z.