"CITIZENSHIP."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10766, 12 May 1913, Page 4

"CITIZENSHIP."

ADDRESS BY THE MAYOR. An address on "Citizenship" was given by the Mayor, Mr H. Holland, at the Queen's Theatre yesterday afternoon, when a mass meeting in connection with the Central Methodist mission was held. Mr Holland stated that he wished to give all the assistance in his power to helping the- citizens of Christchurch. He took as his text St Luke "And when He was come near He beheld the city, and wept over it." The words might seem strange after his recent success, Mr Holland stated, but he wished to stand on the same platform as the people themselves, and help them wherever possible. There were many who needed a word of encouragement. He could honestly say that during the past thirteen years ho had lived in Christchurch he had not known the city. There were many things in Christchurch which caused him to rejoice—its river, its cathedrals, its colleges, its streets and its generous and magnificent public who subscribed thousands of pounds for those who needed assistance. The citizens had cause to be qrateful that there were so many institutions in Christchurch which did so much good work. It was of the greatest importance, said Mr Holland, that their character and manhood should be built on a solid foundation. "Why was there the increase in the number of persons in the benevolent institutions or to-day? It was because they had not built on a solid foundation. There had been 11,000 convictions for drunkenness in the dominion during the one year. It was a cause for tears that such conditions should exist in so fair a city. There was. also the gambling evil, which was increasing year by year in their midst. . There was cause for every Christian man and woman to think what they could do to make the city cleaner.