THE CROWD OUTSIDE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16904, 1 December 1922, Page 9

THE CROWD OUTSIDE.

MR MASSEY’S ENTRANCES AND EXITS. - Memories of Mr Massey’s previous missions to Christchurch, no doubt, resulted in producing a large overflow gathering the Theatre Royal lastnight. The number unable to gain admission made a huge audience alone. Orowds started tx> collect outside, the theatre early. Shortly after half-past five there were small queues at the stalls and circle entrances, and the numbers grew with rapidity. The doors were opened about 0 o'clock, and by half-past six the theatre was full. There was a steady stream of people into Gloucester Street all the while. The numbers mounted up to about a thousand towards half-past seven, and the waiting throng began to get impatient. Policement were numerous. There were three or four at every door, and a. sergeant and throe constables looked down benignantly from the theatre balcony.

There were in any sallies among little groups, and the gathering, which was most dense in front of the circle and gallery doors, cheered or booed on the slightest pretext. A coterie of perspns on the theatre balcony were counted out two or three times, and were made the mark for some “election” eggs. On occasions the crowd was rowdy and bordering on the disorderly, but the police force handled. -the situation tactfully. Youths were responsible for much of the display, but the only objectionable behaviour was some stone throwing, at the Colosseum end. The appearance of a pie cart was taken up as a welcome interlude-. This institution, no - doubt the scene of many convivial gatherings near the winching hour of midnight—surely never had a more triumphant Anarch. The crowd made way for the ponderous van. and the driver steered a course through a cheering avenue of people. Just about a quarter to eight Mr Alassey appeared from the alleyway near the Dominion Hotel. He turned off the footpath opposite the gaßeVy entrance to make Lis way into the theatre, the Premier’s “ hard hitter ” bobbing among the heads, distinguishing his passage. It was a quiet entrance, but cheers and groans intermingled as he struggled through the crowd shepherded by a couple of policemen. The throng swept towards the gallery entrance, carrying ail with, them and looking hostile. A little pandemonium reigned while the men in blue tried to cope with bite crowd. Two mounted policemen hovered on the border restraining impatient mounts. The mob surged hack again, but another couple of minutes saw the Premier inside the doorway. A few. evidently thinking the sightseeing was over, drifted away, but a crowd of several hundred monopolised the street for the next hour. A rush towards the Colosseum entrance ended suddenly when the participants found there was nothing*doing there. An unusual quiet foi a time portended something was brewing, and the next incident was the appearance of some men with a ladder, which they tried to place against the theatre balcony, hub the policeman quickly “got down” on this move. A self-appointed street orator commenced a harangue, but the audience jostled him unmercifully over the roadway. though there was no violence ; it was more in the nature of a. “rag.” 3Te kept the crowd occupied for some time, but was evidently given the “tip to move on, as he was seen to walk a pay from the crowd quietly, and they let him go. Someone* caused a, commotion and perturbed the mounted men’s horses with a bunch of crackers and the crowd lingered on. The numbers in the street wefie swelled considerably by the audience from the theatre, and. there was much jostling. Though there was a dense press in the street Air Alassev succeeded in getting to his hotel without trouble. A police motor-car preparing to make off east along Gloucester Street starting from the gallery entrance diverted the crowd’s attention. In the meantime Air Alassey walked out of the stalls entrance’ with an escort, crossed Hie street and went through the right of way behind the Dominion Hotel,