WARM RECEPTION IN LEVIN

Chronicle (Levin), 17 July 1947, Page 4

WARM RECEPTION IN LEVIN

Presenting an impoMng figure in a fauldessly tailored, "fawn greatcoat and traditional black beret, Viscount Montgomery was enthusiastically welcomed when he passed uhrough Levin yesterday. Long before the siren indicating his departure from Foxton had sounded, a large erowd gathered outside the Post Office. This was later reinforced by pupils of the Horowhenua Collsge and Levin Primary School, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Cubs and Brownies, till a crowd estimated at over 2000 lined Oxford Street. Flags of all nations b'edecked most of the buildings along the

route through the town. Nearly y;.y. every window or baleony overlook- / ing the street was oecupied. From their precarious position ' on the crossbars of telegraph poles in Oxford Street, P. and T. linesmen Looke^ down on a scene reminiscent of V J Day. ' '■' Preceded by police cars, the sleek open tourer, to which Viscaum) Montgomery had transferred before nearing the town was the targe^- for all eyes as the crowd surged across the road in order to get a first view of the hero of E1 Alamein. As his car travelled slo'wly through the dense cheering ihrong all had an excellent view of the Field Marshal as he smiled down on them, cheerfully acknowl- > edging the cheers and good natured banter. There was an unassuming confidence in his bearing which attracted. He acknowledged ihe people's tributes with obvious pleasure. "Wave to Monty as one Tommy to another Tommy," said an English war bride to her baby, as she held it high above the heads of the crowd. "Shake my hand. I've just' had the honour of shaking hands wfth Monty," said an elderly man- who, trembling with excitement, ran across the road at the rear of the car to greet another friend. At ihe Levin Primary School Viscount Montgomery transferred to the Vica-Regal car and the speed of the vehicle was -stepped up to 30 m.p.h. At Weraroa, however, he slowed down to acknowledge the cheers of a number of people gathered outside the Post Office t-here, and employees of the Railways Dpartment and Belting Factory. En -route to' Otaki he turned and waved cheerfully to some P. and T. workers. Arrangements Excellent The police and traffic arrangements, both at Levin and along the entire route, were excellent. A receht innovation, the two-way radio sets, were used successfully by Traffic Department patrol cars to ensure a clear passage over narrow bridges and to advise the authorities in the various towns of the approach of the official party. As the official convoy . drew nearer Wellington police supervision increased with the greater amount of traffic and when Wellington was reached the route was kept open for the convoy, even the . side streets being guarded by constables to -prevent ir»y™>oC!. The traffic control was perfect. At 5.30 p.m. the official convoy swept up Government House drive and the Governor-General met Lord Montgomery at the entrance. Even after so busy a day Lord Montgomery was still urbane as photographers got ready to take him on meeting General Freyberg. "Monty" asked: "Which camera will we look at first" and "What do you do with Ihe flash bulbs when you have used them?" After the photographers had finished "Monty" greeted them wi h "Thank you, boys, goodnight." Mayor Pleased "I am very pleased indeed at the response of the people of Levin today," said the Mayor, - Mr. H. B. . Burdekin. It was a.pity,, hec added, +hat last minute 'alterationg to tlle- . time of arrival resulted in.Viscouht Montgomery arrivhig an hour earlier than was advertised, but this could not be helped. He was pleased, however, at the large number of citizens who had turned out, and particularly the attendance of the children. "I am sure every child ini Levin was here today," he concluded.