LUCKY HORSESHOES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20276, 10 April 1934, Page 5

LUCKY HORSESHOES.

Gloucester Decides on a Change. "POINTS DOWNWARD.” The links of Gloucester’s Mayoral Chain, which consists of horseshoes, are to be restored to their original position with the points of shoes facing downward. At a meeting of the City Council recently, the Mayor, Mr T. Ilannam Clark, said that ever since 1870, when the chain was presented to the city, the horseshoes had been placed with points downward in true Gloucester manner, and no ill-luck had resulted. Last year the then Mayor, Mr Edwards, had the horseshoes altered to face points upwards. He did not obtain the authority of the council, but when the work was done informed them he had had it done to prevent the city’s luck running out. The Mayor now moved that the horseshoes be altered to their original position, which was undoubtedly the correct—according to tradition. Mr Edwards said nothing had been done to the chain since 1870. Although he did not inform the council, the town clerk and other officials knew of his action. He throught the time had come when nonsense which made Gloucester notorious as the city which possessed a mayor who was not superstitious, and an ex-mayor who .was, should end. He personally did not care which way horseshoes were placed. Mr Blackwell said since the horseshoes had been turned upwards unemployment had increased in the city. “We shall not have any luck until the shoes are turned round,” he said. The mayor’s motion was carried.