A Would-be Reformer

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 March 1914, Page 2

A Would-be Reformer

The- crowds which thronged the entrances to the amusement resorts 011 the St.Ji.ilda Esplanade on Saturday evening" (says the Melburne Argus) were suddenly startled by the voice of a man, who threaded his way amongst the people, proclaiming in a stentorian voice that, at a quarter to U o'clock a public meeting would be held on the grass enclosure, at the rear of the l'alais de Danse to protest against the existence of the dancing hall. At the appointed lime several hundred persons gathered at the spot. The speaker, who gave the name of Mr Robert (ieorge, annoyed the crowd by his allegations against dancers and onlooker.-. and was shouted down. One burly fellow mounted the rickety platform a heap of folic- 1 ing- but. after replying caustic- 1 ally to Mr Oeorge's denunciation of the dance hall, lie pointed towards Mr George, and said : "Tf 1 had a revolver and my sister or mother wa< in that dancing hall to-niirht, T would shoot a thing like that for what he has said.'' The crowd loudly cheered this announcement, and Mr Creorge was pushed off the platform. He climbed back again, and proceeded to ask if there were any questions. Several small boys at the 1 ear wero busily employed in ail effort to overturn tT7e pile of fencing on whicli Mr CfeorQ'e was standing. Turnine; round, the speaker shook a stout walking stick in the face of one of his tormentors. A youth shaped up. and dared him to strike. Tussocks of fi'mcs hocan to fly in the direction of the crusader, who. lookinc - very much alarmed, stood alone on the nlnfform. hemnu'd 111 on all sides T.v the crowd. Th en the burlv fellow. Mr fJonrfl-e's opponent in dibate. "bniifcd: "(Gentlemen, lie is afraid to move. Malce a s'ancway. mid lei him »uf don't mol-e-d him.'' The crowd parted. :1n 1! lliron"'li the lane thus formed Mr rJeornv hurried away, and wa« '-1 ton up 111 (he crowd i": the Esplanade.