MAYOR COMMENDS GERMAN OFFICERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18057, 18 January 1927, Page 1

MAYOR COMMENDS GERMAN OFFICERS.

AVERTED DISASTER AND SAVED MANY LIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 18, 11.30 am.) CAPETOWN, January 17 The Ernden is lying: at ('oilier Jetty, which is open to the sea on both sides, and at. one end has only a narrow entrance. A crowd estimated at 10.000 visited the cruiser, the decks of which soon were packed. As a result, an officer of the Emdcn intimated that no more -visitors would be allowed aboard until those on board left.

The crowd continued to augment and the police were powerless. The greatest' danger spot was between the cruiser and the qua3 r side, as the police and the front row of the crowd would have fallen on the huge planks tised as fenders, and then the others on top of them, the whole mass being crushed to death. The captain, realising the position, ordered the hose to be pkiyed on the crowds. It had the desired effect, keeping the people back. Captain Foerster, of the Ernden, states that the use of the hose on the crowd averted one of the biggest disasters known to this country. It was only turned on after repeated applications by the police, who were unable to prevent the crowd massing on the wharf, and who were in imminent danger of being pushed over. The Mayor issued a statement warmI Iv commending the prompt action of l the Ernden officers, which meant the saving of many lives.