RESERVE CAST ASIDE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23280, 16 August 1945, Page 4

RESERVE CAST ASIDE

Auckland Enjoys Itself

(N.Z.P.A.) AUCKLAND, August 15. Auckland broke into joyful celebration when the news of peace burst upon the city at its work. Within minutes of 11 a.m., when the first news came, the central city streets were filled with a mass of excited carefree people, who continued their merrymaking late into the night. The celebration was the most spontaneous action that corporate Auckland has taken in years. The city forgot its reserve and unashamedly went out and enjoyed itself. Auckland spent its most thrilling day in years. Throughout the afternoon and into the hight great crowds flooded up and down Queen Street and overflowed into side streets. Hundreds danced and sang to the music of bands, but hundreds of others preferred to make their own music with a variety of instruments ranging from tin whistles to portable sirens. Fireworks added a frequent staccato note.

For the most part the crowd remained in good humour, although toward evening there were occasions when over-excitement assisted by overindulgence in liquor caused a number of incidents that were tactfully handled by the police. Bands were dispersed by order of the Mayor (Mr J. A. C. Alium) when a number of irresponsibles began throwing bottles. Many people suffered injuries during the day, some serious, and were treated at the Auckland and Green Lane Hospitals.

Almost from the first hour of the celebrations in the city to-day a steady stream of accidents, both serious and minor, began to pour into the Auckland hospitals and continued until a late hour to-night. No fewer than 51 cases were taken by ambulance to the two hospitals. Many of the casualties were the result of motor accidents, but a number were caused by assaults in the streets. Several persons were treated for lacerations after being struck by bottles and glasses hurled among the crowds.