AN INCENSED PUBLIC

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1920, Page 3

AN INCENSED PUBLIC

Some residents of Petone and many others 'who visited the district were incensed at being'called upon to pay ift orde rtliat they might spe the Prince of Wales in any gegree of comffirt when lie visited Petonp on Friday afternoon. Thp question of building a stadium was, j suggested to the Borough Council, but , j it declined to accept the responsibility. r*vx —A firm of building contractors offered | to undertake the erection of the structure provided they were paid for the material used and the carpenters’ wages. That offer was also not entertained. The contractors then applied for permission . to build a stadium and permission was granted on the understanding that £SO was to be paid for the rights. Permission was obtained from the council to close two main thoroughfares and the stand was duly erected. The price ,j( of admission, according to position, varied from 3s to 10s, and those who objected to pay had perforce to it and on the seashore with but a poor chance of seeing either the Prince or what was going on in the stadium. Eventu- .. ally the crowd becoming annoyed at the visit of the Heir Apparent Lo the ~V British Crown being made the means of a commercial enterprise,.broke down the barriers, rushed into the enclosure, with the result that It was found impossible to carry out the programme ip its entirely.