"KIDNAPPED" COTTON MILL DIRECTOR

Chronicle (Levin), 14 August 1946, Page 3

"KIDNAPPED" COTTON MILL DIRECTOR

■ 1 ■ V TIMARU'S NOYEL WAY OF CATCHING HIS EAR GHKlSTCHUliG.lI; August 13. Slutioning a trallic iiispoclor at Saltwater Greek bridge to iatercept all uorlliltouiHl traliic, Tiiuaru adopted a jiovcl aad ek'eetivo rneaiis of "kidnapLiiug'' Edward \\ illiamsoii, maiiagiiig director of Cotton Textiles Corporation of New Zealand, to put in a plea for ihe establi.shment in South Canlerlniry of tlie proposed £1,000, U00 textiie niiJl. i Mr. Willianison left Hnnedin by road at two o'clock yesterday afternoon and soon after four o'clock tlie Timaru ; I'orougli Gouneil trnfiie inspector wus ; on duty at tlie Greek bridge stopping : all liortli-bound ears, ostensibly to ! clieck d rivers ' licenees. Soon after iive o'clock tlie riglit car.arrived and tlie ; inspector politely requested Mr. Wil- ! lianison to ac, conipany hini. i "Wliat's tlie cliarge » ' ' asked Mr. Williamson. "There 's notliing to worry about," • replied tlie inspector. "J kave iustmej tions to take you to the Mayor." When the car, uuder escort, arrived at Ihe Gouneil Ohambers, Mr. Williaui- | son was uiet by the Mayor (Mr. A. E. |S. Ilanan) and members of the Borough ! Gouneil. When the ruse was explained to hioi he entercd into the spirit of the 'alVaii'. After putting Sonth' Canterbiirv 's ease, the IVlayor loolt IMr. Willlian'ison home to dinner and tlie jour- ! nev to Christchurch was resumed in j Ihe earlv evening. ! Mcainvhile Christeliurcli City Counlcil's imblic relations officer (IMr. T. H. 1 Longford 3 has been hopefully waiti ng I'or Mr. Williamson to* arrive at his hotel. Asked this morniug wliethcr the : kidnapping had provod successful, Mr. Hanan said tliat he could not diselose ' anythiug of the discussions with Mr, i Williamson.