THE NOISY SQUARE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10303, 7 November 1911, Page 3

THE NOISY SQUARE.

OPEN-AIR ARGUMENTS DISTURB BUSINESS.

As the outcome of Saturday night's disturbance in Cathedral Square an attempt was • made to break up a no-licenso meeting, Mr 0. Boxsliall, manager of thp Booklovers' Library, which is in the meeting zono, has written to the City Council in protest against the noise caused by the meeting. Mr Boxshall states in his letter that his firm does the bulk of its business on Saturday nights ; the greater part of the customers being ladies and children, and tho riotous behaviour of the crowd had a very detrimental effect on trade. Saturday's riot was not the first that had occurred, the firm having had occasion to complain on many previous occasions. Mr Boxshall asks that all meetings in the corner of Cathedral Square whero his business premises are situated should be prohibited. He had forwarded a copy of the letter to the Prohibition League, stating that he is an ardent supporter of prohibition and does not wish to throw any obstacles in its progress, but asking that tho League should desist from holding future meetings in that particular spot. A similar request has been sent to Mr J. TO. Potherick. Mr Boxshall has also written to Mr L. M. Isitt, asking him to use his influence with the Prohibition League to hold its meetings elsewhere.