DIGNITY SHATTERED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 20, 25 January 1937, Page 9

DIGNITY SHATTERED

GUILDHALL SCENE EX-LORD MAYORS CMIEF ACTORS (Received January 25, 10 ajn.) LONDON, January 24. The "Daily Herald" states- that ' the dignity of London's Guildhall was shattered by what an ex-Lord Mayor, Sir Alfred Bower, later described as "a bit of horseplay." Sir Alfred, aged 78, was awaiting luncheon in the Alderman's retiring-room after a meeting of the Finance Committee when another exLord Mayor, Sir Phene Nleal, aged 77, entered. Sir Alfred Bowec dashed forward and punched him in the ribs, saying, "That's for what yiau did to me on Tuesday." He then doffed his jacket, rolled up his sleeves and invited Sir Phene Neal to come on, adding, "I'll punch your jaw." Sir Daniel Collins then intervened. Sir Alfred Bower later; said: "A man often slaps another in the back or ribs. Besides, a man takes off his coat to wash his hands. Sir Phene and I lunched together later and toasted each other."

Sir Phene Neal said: "I was unhurt and I am not taking any notice of the affair. Sir Alfred has an extraordinary idea that I twisted his arm, causing a bruise, in the Alderman's Court on Tuesday, but I was onlty in the room for a minute so it coulidn't have happened."