BLOODLESS REBELLION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 90, 16 April 1929, Page 9

BLOODLESS REBELLION

THE ENGLISH WAY LONDON, Feb. 19. The English capacity for bloodless rebellion discovered itself in an entertaining way on the last day ou which skating was allowed on the Round Ponu in Kensington Gardens. About two o’clock the park authorities decided that the ice was (either because of the great crowd on it or in anticipation of the “great thaw’’) no longer safe, and there stepped out on to the surface of the pond large uniformed men blowing whistles and shouting to the crowd io “get off the ice.’’ There was a moment’s pause during which the more clumsy skaters staggered to the edge. The more skilful looked at each other, waiting for someone else to get off first. Then, as none did, the skating was resumed, just as if there were no large blue-uniformed men 'stepping gingerly across the slippery surface waving arms and blowing whistles. No cries of liberty, no dramatic display. Everyone quietly refused to obey orders, conscious, first, of the weight of public opinion behind them and, secondly, of the delightful fact that on their wings of steel they, were beyond the grasp of any slowmoving official. Did any one of these approach a group of skaters it quietly diffused only to coagulate a hundred yards away (the size of the Round Pond can only be realised when one is in or on it), and it would have been’ as easy to catch with your hands the groups of pigeons that pecked about in the snow and grass of the park as arrest these casual rebels. With wounded pride the officials withdrew and procured an immense .rope, evidently kept for the purpos', which they passed over the pond and | then drew across in an endeavour to push the crowd off. Willing hands merely lifted it over the heads of rite skaters, and the net came in empty. When dusk began to fall a largo notice was posted on the edge, which announced: “Danger. Anyone found on the ice will be fined £5.” Behind it in the darkening light remained the swavgliding, laughing crowd of rebels.