THE ASSOCIATION TIE.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15274, 26 June 1923, Page 2

THE ASSOCIATION TIE.

SCENES AT WEMBLEY STADIUM. Mr A. ip. Wright, in a letter to a fqlend in Christchurch, speaking of the scenes when the crowd of 200,000 “took charge” at the football cup tic at Wembly Stadium, says:;—“l would not have missed the spectacle for anything, but many a time I would have given a good deal to be well out of it all. To seo a crowd sweep wronght-iron fences away or to storm over the top and carry everything before them, was an awesome sight. In our reserved seats it looked at one time as if one portion of the denso sea of humanity would sweep right over us. But the London police! Admiration gave way almost to veneration. Only their firmness, tact, and imperturbable good nature saved what looked at one time like a catastrophe. I believe no other body of men could have accomplished what they did. The climax came when tlie King arrived. It took 20 minutes lo get him to the Royal box, and when he appeared the whole 200,000 cheered asain and again. It broke the spell of an ugly panicky situation. The crowd then sang the National Anthem. Fancy the populations of Auckland and Christchurch compressed into Wembly Stadium and- cheering as one their King, who had come to see the great national event. One mounted policeman was superb. He cleared little patches again and again in the dense block of people, and gradually these oases enlarged until the playing ground was clear. At one time it appeared as if play that day was Impossible. If the London police ever did a finer piece of work it would be interesting to hear of it. On this occasion they accomplished what, even to Londoners themselves, appeared the impossible.”