Rain and Riots at Hastings

It had to happen sooner or later....the big day at Hastings dawned wet and cold, and the Blossom Festival Parade was dampened by the unpleasant conditions. So were the spirits of a large section of the enormous crowd which arrived on schedule by road and rail. Many found refuge from the rain in the hotels, and later in the day trouble began to break out when a hotel was compulsorily closed. A number of ugly incidents culminated in the fire brigade being called to use hoses on a jostling crowd of about 2000, mostly youths. The incidents caused widespread repercussions throughout the country, including discussions in Parliament.

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Many Gisborne visitors were present to see the restricted parade. This is the City Council float, bearing the Blossom Queen, Helena Hannah, and her maids.

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Pictures taken by "Photo News" during the afternoon follow. Here two policemen attempt to clear a densely-packed crowd of youths and girls from round a car.