"GOOD WORDS."

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 20

"GOOD WORDS."

COUNCILLORS AND POLICE.

ARCHBISHOP'S GRATITUDE.

Eemarking that his heart was full of love for all that night. Archbishop Julius quickly demonstrated at the public farewell given to him last evening that he was sincere in his statements, for he made most tolerant references of much abused public institutions—even the City Council, the telephone exchange, and the policemen!

"It was not very good for a fellow to sit and listen to all this praise," declared his Grace. Fortunately, at his he added, he was not likely to suffer a swelled head. . But the gatherin" had inspired him with love and kindness for everybody. "First of all, I want to say that I'm a New Zealander. (Applause.) It is as a New Zealander I shall go Home and as a New Zealander I will come back, if it is in a bath chair." (Laughter and applause).

Some time ago, he added, he had, at the request of the Mayor, held a Municipal service at the Cathedral. His conscience had pricked "him ever since, as he had said many unkind things that he was sorry for. The City Council had done good work. When he thought of the town as it was when he first arrived, he could notice a great difference. The City was well kept, the streets were clean, and even if there were some small slums, every house had its dust-bin. (Laughter.)- "Before long'Chrißtehurch will be a big city," continued his Grace," and indeed I'm not sure that it won't eclipse a certain city in the north. (Laughter). To the City Council his message would be that the most important things they had to consider were good houses, the care of the people's health, sanitation, and the promotion of the moral and spiritual welfare of the community. "And now a word for the policeman," said his Grace. "I've, been here 35 years, ami they have never run mo in (laughter), though I have seen them looking at me, especially when my daughter was driving the car (renewed laughter). But I have never heard any more. The policemen, he continued, were like Jthe Irish "bobby" ho met when in the early days he rode a motor-bicycle. The "bobby" stopped him and said, "Do you remember me, your Reverence?" "No," replied his Grace. "I'm the man that lent you the horse on the West Coast." "A very good horse it was, too!" replied his Grace, "and how are you getting on over here?" "Very well," answered the "bobby," "but will your Reverence go more carefully over the crossing next time?" (Laughter.) f His Grace added that he wanted to say a good word also for other public officers —the railwaymen, the postal clerks, the poor, bewildered, and much maligned telephone exchange, and the folk in the Post Office, all of whom had been good to him and were good to everybody when they were understood.