CATHEDRAL SQUARE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18550, 25 August 1928, Page 2

CATHEDRAL SQUARE.

To the Editor. Dear Sir,—lt is said, with some meas-ure-of truth, that a drowning man will grasp at a passing straw for support. Such was the position of the Rev J. K. Archer, Mayor of Christchurch, at last Monday night’s meeting of protest. That great meeting caused his heart to fail, for be saw that his ark was about to founder. This caused him to lose his temper. An enormous crowd flocked, into the Council Chamber—they were packed in front of him, on each side of him, and behind him. There were people in every station of life and they had come 1o protest against his unconstitutional methods and to show that they were not barbarians but were possessed of some degree of modesty and self-respect. This awakening undoubtedly unhinged tho Mayor, and what intensified his discomfit was Mr George Gould standing close by on his left, and another who is battling in the interests of the citizen#’ welfare on his right. Mr Gould addressed the Mayor as “My Lord.” This was a compliment that was not intended for the Mayor, although I am quite sure Mr Gould intended to show respect to the chair. All who know Mr Gould know perfectly well that he would not stoop to vulgarity or anything unbecoming a perfect gentleman. Although I have never spoken to Mr Gould until that night, I have known him all his life and his father before him, and I can say that neither father nor son was ever guilty of any conduct unbecoming a perfect gentleman. On that night I am quite sure Mr Gould did not intend to be disrespectful. But tho Mayor, in his frantic efforts to save himself and disrate Mr Gould in the eyes of that great assemblage, convert ed what was a compliment into an insult, and grasped at it as a “passing straw” which he hoped would give him support. But it yielded, and he sank in the view of that large number of people, who had come to protest against an outrage on the people of Christchurch which he and his followers were determined to inflict upon them. It is utter rubbish for the Mayor to say that the opposition comes from those who are opposed to a Labour Council. I have been a supporter of honest Labour all my life and I daily mix among those who have to earn their living by their daily exertions. All I have spoken to are opposed to the erection of lavatories in the centre of the Square.—l am, etc., R. E. GREEN.