OFF TO THE NATIONA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12717, 12 August 1919, Page 5

OFF TO THE NATIONA.

CROWDS IN THE G!TY. Prom shortly after nine o’clock this morning Cathedral Square was a scene of much activity, consequent on tho opening of the Grand National steeplechase meeting at Riccarton. From the largo crowds which continuously assembled at the starting point of the trains bound for the course one could hardly imagine that there was such a State regulation as a restricted railway service In operation, and that only people with urgent or essential business wore given permits to travel by railroad. 1 The tramway traffic department had a very complete service for the convenience of the racegoers. No sooner had one train of ears pulled out than another took its place- There wore occasional slight stampedes t>y thecrowd for places on tho oars, but tho rushes were not so pronounced, or so full of tho probability of accident, as has been tho case on previous race days. Towards, eleven o’clock the service "of cars had. a slight lull, owing, doubtless. to so many being on their way either to or from the course. The crowd at this hour was still very large, but soon the number’ of those waiting began to dwindle, and in the subsequent car-loads there was comfortable seating accommodation. A very noticeable feature of the traffic in the Square this morning was the epdlcss string of motor-cars streaming' out to Riccarton. From their registration numbers it was to bo seen that many motor parties had journeyed from , as far south ns Dunedin to be present at the meeting. ■ .