FIFTEEN POLICE HAVE TO PROTECT MISS PYCROFT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18000, 10 November 1926, Page 9

FIFTEEN POLICE HAVE TO PROTECT MISS PYCROFT.

WHOLE FORCE TURNS OUT AT AUCKLAND. WOMEN FAINT; A CROWD SURGES ROUND PONTIAC. (Special to the “ Star. ”) AUCKLAND, November 10. Auckland’s entire traffic squad, supplemented by every available police constable, was requisitioned to control the enormous crowds that thronged the route from the Hotel Cargen to the Town Hall at midday, when the beauties were welcomed to the city by the Mayor of Auckland. Queen Street was packed on both sides by cheering thousands, and, despite the army of constables and traffic inspectors, it took nearly half an hour for the four cars conveying the beauties to thread their way through the tightly packed crowd. AUCKLAND CEASES WORK. Auckland ceased work to see the beauties from the south, and the scenes of demonstrative enthusiasm that marked the passage of the cars through the city, as motorists tooted their horns and thousands cheered, was suggestive of some great gala day. Five thousand pcopie, it is estimated, were waiting outside the Cargen Hotel when the cars moved off, and the road was packed on both sides to the Town Hail, where thousands of people were waiting. • MISS CANTERBURY” LEADS. Little Miss Canterbury ” led this triumphant procession of New Zealand beauties. Her car was besieged on all sides, and for five minutes the Pontiac formed a little island in the centre of a sea of humanity such as has seldom been equalled. In the wild scenes that followed the arrival of the first car, several women faulted. Fifteen police constables formed a bodyguard round “ Miss Canterbury ” and her maid of honour to escort them into the hall. It was the same with each of the other beauties, and as their ears arrived the Press and kinematograph photographers, who constituted a formidable army, were swept from their feet as the crowds advanced upon the beauties. MAYOR’S RECEPTION. Speaking at the reception tendered the provincial beauties at the Town Hall, the Mayor (Mr G. Baildon) said that it was a red letter day as far as the feminine populace was concerned. It was the first time in .history that so many beautiful girls had been seen together in his room. lie had great pleasure in welcoming them to the city, and hoped they would all enjoy their stay in Auckland. Mr A. R- Shepard and Miss Ellen Melville, a member of the council, also

spoke, Mr Shepard expressing thanks on behalf of the girls.