INSPECTION OF OTAGO FORTS.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12723, 19 February 1910, Page 4

INSPECTION OF OTAGO FORTS.

THE REVIEW AT FORBURY PAIIK. PROCEEDINGS MARRED BY DISORDERLY CROWDS. Dunedin, Feb. 18. An inspection of the defence -works at Tairoa Heads at the entrance to the port of Otago by Lord Kitchener was commenced at ten o'clock this morning. He was accompanied by Sir Joseph Ward, Colonel Kirkpatrick (Lord Kitchener's Chieff istatf officer), members of the New Zealand Council, and Lieutenant-Coion«l Smythe, the officer commanding the Otago district. The inspection was a complete one. The searchlights, the six-pounder quick-firing guns, t»e Harrington' Point battery, the modern six-inch disappearing gun on the Heads proper, and 64-poimder on the Howletfc Point battery, also the site for the two new 12-pounders, and to all these he gave but a mere passing notice. The commanding position ot the Tairoa Heads seemed to have engrossed his attention. Next he inspected the garrison forces, comprising No. 1 and No. 2 Companies. He walked along tho lines, and on several occasions took notice of service badges and medals. He freely expressed his pleasure at the general appearance of the men. The inspection was over in an hour, and the return was then made to town. On leaching Port Chalmers Lord Kitchener found the boys of the training ship Amokura drawn up as a guard of honour, and returning their salute, ho addressed a few words of encouragement to ' them, also remarking on their fine healthy appearance . He then left amidst cheering for Dunedin by motor car, reaching the city about 1 p.m. There were about 10,000 people at Forbury Park this afternoon to witness the review of the school ca-' dets, the boy scouts, and the veterans by Lord Kitchener, who arrived about 3 p.m., at which time Sir J. G. Ward, the Hon. J. A. Millar, Colonels Robin, Tuson ? and Collins also arrived. Lord Kitchener spent j half an hour in reviewing the cadets, and he then inspected the veterans. The next part of the programme was the march past Lord Kitchener and party, who took up a position at tho saluting point.. They soon found themselves surrounded by the evergrowing mass of people, who poured into the review ground from all points. The police^ "did their best to keep the crowd back, but without success. As a result the inarch past completely lost its value. It was impossible to carry out the next item, the march past in review order, owing to the crush, Then ensued a wild scramble, fortunately of a short duration. At the- conclusion of tho march past, Lord Kitchener and party walked towards the grand stand the men, women, and children hustling or being hustled after them. In the commotion children were knocked down, women screamed, and men cried out "keep back," but still the crowd surged on. . It was a disgraceful scene, and the crush was only stopped by reaching tho limits of the enclosure. There were 2468 men on parade, assembled from all parts of Otago. The presenting of the colours to the Boys' High School Cadets took place, though the success of- the function .was marred by the disorderly proceedings' referred to above.

Later. As the result oi inquiries it appears 1 that the muddle at Forbury Park was j due to the fact that there was no do- | Unite authority tv make all tho ar- . rauycir.CNil.s. 'L he city corporation issued tickets for the grand stand and enclosure, and notified the course oi events to the public, but the responsibility for the administration was thrown on tho defence and military authorities. It is stated that at a meeting of the reception committee it was decided that as no troops would be available for the afternoon the police be asked to assist. Last night the police wove asked on behalf of tho Mayor to assist in supervising the entrances to the grand stand and the gates leading to the inner enclosure, but they were ■ not asked to perform any duty in connection with the parade ground. • ' Nearly 2000 men are in camp in-tho vicinity of Abbotsford, awaiting Lord Kitchener's orders in regard to the manoeuvres. The Mayor of Dunedin informed the. "Otago Daily Times" to-night, that having made inquiries in respect to the arrangements for the reception of Lord Kitchener on Thursday night, so far as they affected the Brime Minister he finds a mistake was made, of which lie was unaware at th,S time. Ho has expressed his regret to the Prime Minister, who is now satisfied that no discourtesy was intended to him.