ORGY OF HERO WORSHIP ENDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18888, 14 October 1929, Page 14

ORGY OF HERO WORSHIP ENDS.

DREW IS NO LONGER THE PUBLIC IDOL,

(United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

LONDON. October 12. The question of a coroner’s powers continues to be widely discussed. Mr Martin, Coroner at the Reading inquiry, said that Drew’ was treated fairly at the inquest, which was conducted in a similar manner to all others. He himself was inclined to agree that the Coroner’s duty should be confined to determining the cause of death, but this and other points which had been raised were matters for the Legislature. Drew is no longer the local idol. The orgy of hero worship has ceased as suddenly as it began, and Drew is able to walk with the same freedom as any other person. Yesterday his appearance held up the traffic and thousands cheered, but to-day he was in solitude, like an actor without an audience. When he posed for the photographers outside his hotel, not more than a dozen loiterers looked on.

Drew says candidly that an actor likes publicity, but he is perturbed at the thought that he may be regarded as a notoriety-seeker. Asked whether he thought that the inquest would have any effect on his career, he replied: “I do not know. It may be a good thing, but the notoriety may turn people against me. It will be an anxious moment when I make my next stage appearance. Producers have been tumbling over themselves for my services, and I have been offered £6O to appear in a five minutes talkie, but I have decided nothing yet. It is easy to commercialise publicity, but that is the last thing that I intend to do"—Australian Press Associaiton.