A LIVELY MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5736, 2 December 1896, Page 4

A LIVELY MEETING.

• THE PROHIBITION " RALLY." The announcement that there was to be a "prohibition rally" in Cathedral Square at eight o'clock yesterday evening, drew together a large crowd, including 1 many women and young persons, around the Godley Statue. An extempore platform was prepared on a van which was drawn up at the south side of the statue, and from which the horse was removed. On • this platform were the Rev L. M. Isitt and Messrs G. J. Smith and T. E. Taylor, with others, and they were afterwards joined by the Rev J. Dawson. The Salvation Army band played for a few minutes, but before any of those who had been announced to speak rose to do so, the proceedings were interrupted by the arrival of a two-horse van, in which were a pianoforte and some half-dozen men in "fancy" costumes and with blackened faces. This vehicle drew up in the crowd, by which it was soon surrounded, and the occupants sang, played on the pianoforte, shouted and harangued those around them. Their advent created a good deal of uproar. The crowd rapidly increased in numbers until there were, probably, over four thousand people in the Square. Groans and yells were raised, apparently in opposition to one another, the band played, and the persons gathered round the platform sang " Strike out the top line." The noise increased, and the police appeared among the throng, but there was no breach of the peace. The Rev L. M. Isitt then rose and said that this attack on the right of free speech would give the prohibitionists hundreds of votes. After a few more minutes of noise, during which the occupants of the hostile vehicle were alternately singing and haranguing, some of the persons surrounding it began poking at the horses with their stocks, and one of the animals became restive and plunged. No one was hurt, however, and the van afterwards shifted from place to place among the crowd. Mr T. E. Taylor rose amid cheers from his supporters, and said that this was the kind of thing that the Lyttelton Times and Press supported in their leading articles that day. It was a disgrace to civilisation ; but this interference with the right of free speech would win them many votes. Amid continued interruptions the Rev L. M. Isitt rose, and though all he said could not be distinctly heard, he was understood to say that the cowards who were interrupting were afraid to let the prohibitionists speak in the Square. This action on the part of the liquor traffic was an evidence of its real nature. The interruptions continued, and the prohibitionists again started, " Strike Out the Top Line." The Rev L. M. Isitt again rose, and was understood to refer to an attack made upon his character. He had, he said, lived here for years, and no man had ever been able to point the finger of scorn at him, and he would not. have condescended to allude to the matter were it not for the use that was being made of it to create political capital. He asked his hearers not to confuse the issues. The present meeting was not for the purpose of considering the character of prohibition leaders or anyone else, but to consider whether they should have liquor shops in their midst or not. If any of those present had any doubt as to the character of the traffic, they could now form their opinion of it. The noise among the crowd still continued, and Mr Isitt said that they would have to close the meeting, for if there was any loss of life they would be held responsible. After some further confusion Mr G. J. Smith announced that a meeting would be held in the Square in the daylight, at six o'clock next evening. Mr T. E. Taylor asked if there were three hundred or four hundred men and women who would , volunteer to go round and tell the people of Christchurch what the traffic had done. The Opera House had been shut against the Prohibitionists, and when they tried to meet in the Square they were interfered with in this way. The Prohibitionists then removed their vehicle, Mr Smith requesting all who were willing to help them to come to the office of the Prohibitionist. The vehicle containing the opposition party also drove away, and the crowd gradually dispersed. During the evening there had been considerable pushing and squeezing, and two or three eggs were thrown. A crowd afterwards gathered in front of the office of the Prohibitionist, where there was some hooting. Mr Burke, president of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, denies that members of the trade were responsible for the interruptions to the proceedings. At a meeting of the committee of the Prohibition League, held after the gathering in the Square, it was decided not to hold any more open air meetings, consequently that annottneed for 6 p.m. to-day will not take place.