NEARLY A RIOT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14193, 6 November 1911, Page 7

NEARLY A RIOT.

DISTURBANCE IN THE SQUARE

BUSINESS PEOPLE COMPLAIN

BITTERLY.

Vhat has every likelihood of being the forerunner of several similar scene* in tho near future, occurred on Saturday night in tho north-wcstom corner of Cathedral square. Tho Prohibition Party Sverc holding an open-air noliceuso mooting, and quito a largo croud was assembled. Mr J. E. Petherick, a candidate for the Christchurch North scat, whoso committee rooms are in theimmediate vicinity, started to address the crowd from a window. He was immediately assailed with a series of catcalls and hoots. Eggs and other articles began io fly through tho air, and t-jTo opposing factions quickly manifesting tliemselvo3. Matters grew serious, and there wero all tho elements of a riot, to the great alarm of business peop!o in the vicinity. Tho crowning act came when a number of young girls ■who had opened the no-hcenso meeting, proceed in rt with tho song of "Strike out tho Top Line," marched ovor to Mr Petherick'a rooms and sang tho Noliceiieo song continuously for over nn hour, completely drowning Mr Petherick's remarks. By this timo tho din was very great, but abovo it Mr Pethorick was heard occasionally to bo calling out to Mr McKonzio to cotno and discuss matters with him.

Tho worst fcaturo of tho proceedings was tho complete disregard shown by both sides for tho feelings of business pooplp in the vicinity, whoso business on Saturday, night was utterly ruined owin? io tho noiso and disturbance. It is understood that representations will bo made to tho City Council on tho matter, and failing 'satisfaction from that quarter, other steps will be taken. As a. sequel to the disturbaneo Mr McCullough. who was ono of ,tho speakers at tho No-license meeting in the Square, was rushed by the crowd, the result both he and Mrs McCuljough. who was with him, wero badly jostled, as tho crowd was surging arnunn them tho cry went np for "the police," and Sergeant Miller, who happened to bo near at hand, mished his way with considerable difficulty to wbero Mr nnd Mrs McCullough wer« in distress. With a good deal of effort tho Sergeant got them to a taxi-cab, only to ascertain that tho vehicle was already «isragp<l. Aided oy the Sergeant the bcloacurrd couple * managed to scramble on tho tram, and thus they scaped from further "hooligani'in.'' Naturally, th rt y wore both considerably mwt W their unpleasant ordeal, Mrs MeCnllough especially so.