DUKE’S MOTOR HELD UP

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1927, Page 9

DUKE’S MOTOR HELD UP

CROWDS BEYOND CONTROL POLICE POWERLESS TO ASSIST. GREAT WELCOME IN BRISBANE. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Brisbane, April 7. While the Duke w as proceeding to visit returned soldiers, the police and military lost control of the crowd outside the entrance to the theatre. Even the plunging police horses were unable to quell the people’s ardour, and the Duke’s ;ar was unable to proceed. The Duke sat there for ten minutes while efforts were made to clear a path acroee the footpath, but they were of no avail. Eventually the car made as though to return to Government House, and proceeded by a circuitous route to the rear entrance of the hall. The Duke was thus enabled to keep his engagement. The redeeming feature of the unparalleled episode was that no effort was made actually to mob the car, or even to 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 the back entrance, and made the return journey without incident.