CONTROL OF CROWDS IN BOTANIC GARDENS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18092, 28 February 1927, Page 12

CONTROL OF CROWDS IN BOTANIC GARDENS.

POLICE AND MILITARY MEN HOLD CONFERENCE TO-DAY Measures for the control of the crowds which will assemble in the Botanic. Gardens during the Royal fete to be held on Tuesday. March 15, were discussed this morning at a conference between the police and military auth* Critics. Those present were Mr W. E. Leadlev (secretary of the Royal Visit Reception Committee), Superintendent Eales. Inspector Cameron, Colonel Thoms and Major Row. The. party visited the gardens and inspected the areas where the four groups whom their Royal Highness will meet, are to be located. The position at the' front entrance to the King Edward Barracks, where the guard of honour will be drawn up on the Saturday night, was also inspected. The difficulties of controlling the crowds were fully discussed from all aspects and recommendations are to be be submitted to the Reception Executive. The first group consisting of Canterbury pilgrims will occupy a position, on the lawn near the front entrance to the gardens.'. The second group, comprising returned soldiers and veterans and disabled soldiers will be marshalled on the Archery Lawn, the third group, comprising about sixty blind persons, will be located under the trees near the children’s playground, and the fourth group, consisting of old people from the Jubilee Home, Woo Is ton. will be assembled near the footbridge leading to the Acclimatisation Society's grounds. It was originally intended that there should be another group, consisting of ladies from the M’Lean Institute, who should be seated under the King Edward Oak, near the footbridge, but it is now proposed that the ladies should, be included in the group of early pioneers.

The Royal visitors will enter the gardens b ythe main gate in their motor car. and after stopping a few minutes with the first group, will drive across the Archery Lawn to the second group. After leaving them they will drive along the. path, around the tea kiosk, to the third group, and finally continue along the path to the fourth group. They will spend an hour in the gardens.