AN AUCKLAND HERO.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 701, 22 December 1902, Page 2

AN AUCKLAND HERO.

(Special to Times.) Auckland, Friday. Mr Win. Richardson, tho well known tomperanco advocate, who waß sontonood two weeks ago to a fortnight’s incarceration in Mount Eden Gaol for tho nonpayment of a lino infiictod upon him ns tho outcome of tbo ebargo of disturbing Sir Joseph Ward’s meeting in the Choral Hall, was yesterday morning released from custody. He was mot outßide tho gaol by several friends, including some ladies, who cheered him as ho hove in eight, and, after general congratulations, ushered him to a cab and drove him to his home.

In the evening, in response to advertisement, a largo crowd, numbering sovoral thousands, gathered at tho cornor of tho Groat North Road und Ponsonb.y Road to meet Mr Eichurdson. About a quarterpast seven that gentleman arrivod at tho rendezvous in an open carriago, accompanied by Mr Itout, a local temperance speaker. Mr Richardson’s advent was the signal for a loud outburst of cheering. A half-hour’s wait ensuod, during which tirno the crowd was fast augmented, until by a quarter to eight it numbered close upon 7000 to 8000. Tho interlude was spent by tho onlookers in occasional demonstrations of delight at the reloaae of Mr Richardson, who sat in the carriage, smilingly acknowledging his admirers’ ebullitions.

There was no doubt about tho Bpirit of tho crowd—they were all ifichardsonians —that is to say, all save one. Ono there was who had tho temerity to express an opinion in a loud tone of voice which could not by any stretch of imagination have been called complimentary to the newly-liberated temperance advocato. Thi'* bold gentleman immediately had the crowd upon him, and for tho next ten minutes bad tho experience of a football in a scrummage. Ho was hustled up and down the path, pushed, and buffeted, and generally roughly handled until tho police interfered, when he hastily beat a rotreat and caught a down-town tram. As he entered it the crowd hooted him to their hearts’ content. After that those who were not Riehardsonians kept “ mum." When the psychological moment was considered to have arrived Mr Fowler, one of the leaders in the demonstration, mounted the box seat of a large drag, into which were crowded as many lady friends of Mr Richardson as were good for the springs, and after asking the people present to fall in behind and form a procession, called for three cheers for Mr Richardson, to which a thousand lung-* made ready response. The procession was duly formed, and with renewed cheers from tho crowd Mr Richardson’s carriage, headed by two boys with torches, moved off, closely followed by tho brake. Thousands fell in behind, aDd someone struck up a verse of 11 Rule Britannia.” Right away down Karangahape road the footpaths were lined four and fivo deep with people, cb the exultant moving multitude pasEed by, and frequont demonstrations were made. Through it all s»t Mr Richardson, with evident gratification writ (ar b e upon hi 3 benevolent countenance, and with a Bhouting body. * —oil boya clingiDg to the back guard Oi = r -.- . ° ° Tn auoh of the carnage and the steps. . fashion the procession passed along to Symcnds street, where it turned down, and marched into the city—headed by the Newton Band, who played at intervals—nothing deterred that the man with tho drum had not turned up—via O’P.orke street, Princes street, Shortland street, and Queen street to the firebell. En route the exuberance of the crowd was frequently got rid of in triumphant cheers for “ the people’s champion,” and in hoots as they passed the residences of well-known gentlemen interested in the brewing trade, the various hotels, clubs, and newspaper offices. On arriving opposite Derby-street the crowd took the horses out of Mr Richardson’s carriage and drew it themselves to the foot of Grey street, while the band played “ See, the Conquering Hero Comes." At the firebell, Mr Richardson gave a characteristic address to several thousand listeners, and at its close he was accorded an enthusiastic vote of thaDks. Throughout the proceedings from the reservoir to the firebell, perfect order was maintained, their demonstrations at no time taking any other form than vocal. The great majority extracted I ■ , ' * —*• mitina. a good night s tun out t,