SERIOUS MENACE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 73, 26 March 1912, Page 7

SERIOUS MENACE.

CONGESTION ON N.S.W. RAILWAYS. GOVERNMENT AND COMMISSIONER MR. GRIFFITH MAKES AN ANNOUN CEMENT. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright, (Received March 26, 9.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Government's first action to supersede the powers of the Chief Railway Commissioner wae mentioned in the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Griffith, Minister for Public Works, announced that a board, consisting of the Ministers for Railways and Public Works, and tho Chief Commissioner, would be appointed for the carrying out of railway duplication and deviation works. He stated that two years ago Parliament had voted two millions for duplication work but the Commissioner had spent lees than half that sum. Tho congestion on the railways was becoming a serious, menace. "THE SIMPLE LIFE." • MAN IN SYDNEY FINED. By Telegraph.— Pre6B Association,— Copyright. , SYDNEY, 25Hi March. A man named Chidley, an advocate of the "simple life," was fined £5 for offensive behaviour. Ho paraded the streets and addressed crowds while clad in a meagre costume similar to a bathing outfit. QUEER COSTUMfc. W. J. Chidley, the author of a book entitled "The Answer/ and a follower of the simple life, appeared in the Sydney streets this morning (staled tho Sydney Sun. on the 19th inst.) arrayed in a dress like that worn by a Grecian Brigand. Low in the neck, with short sleeves, and extending to the kneea, it served to show off Chidley's tall brown figure. On ht« back was a placard advertising hie book, while in hie hand he carried a bag bearing a printed line, "The Answer.* The content* could easily be gueesed. The man stalked from Martin-place, into George-street, along King-street, until, working his way by Pitt-street, ho appeared in. front of the Post Oflict* again. He did not feel disposed to leave thie spot, but threaded his way up and down until the thickness of til* crowd made his progress difficult. Taking a stand near one of the piUare he began , to dilate upon the merits of his work. "This is the 'Answer,' " he said, waving a book in his hand. "The first edition _ was destroyed by tho police, and this edition— which ha* ca»s mo life study — is being prosecuted as well." The crowd pressed round tho tall, grey-bearded man who was talking co seriously. He continued hia speech, with interruptions, until the police arrived. Then he desisted altogether, and_ commenced to parade tho block again. A large crowd followed in his wake, and aa foot traffic was being considerably hampered the simple-life man accepted a tip from the police, and vacated the streets for the time being. In conversation with a reporter, Chidley said the Melbourne police had not given him a cKaDco, but wore alwayß looking for an excuse to haul him before the Bench. "The first edition of the 'Answer,' " he went on, "wa* condemned by incompetent people. The second edition portrays a study in> philosophy which will have tho effeot ultimately of rejuvenating the race." Chidley added that he not only wore a primitive costume because he advocated a return to Nature, but for health's sake. The body," ho said, "should have access to the air with tho same freedom as the lungs."