JOLLY MAYOR WALKER

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1927, Page 4

JOLLY MAYOR WALKER

HOW HE SAW LONDON. FUN at THE -MANSION HOUSE. LONDON, Aug. 16. A large motor ear stopped at the Lord Mayor’s private door at the Mansion House, yesterday afternoon, and out jumped a slight, dapper, wiry man with a sharply-cut. cleanshaven face. The door swung open, and the doorkeeper announced, ‘‘His Worship the Mayor of New York!’’ Mr James Walker, New York’s chief citizen, was welcomed on behalf ci the absent Lord Mayor, by Alderman Sir John Knill, who told him that it was the first time a mayor ot New York had visited London as mayoi. ‘■Sir,” said Mayor Walker. the twinkle in his eyes intensifying, “you may take my word for it that when I tell them at home of my welcome here, this visit of mine will have set a precedent which the future mayors of New York will not break in a hurry And now.’’ lie added. “I think we’ll have a look round." “WHERE'S YOUR GOLD SERVICE?" With Sir John Knill and Sir William Soul shy, the Lord Mayor’s secretary, to escort him. Mayor Walker entered the Egyptian Hall, wherein the Lord Mayor private banquets -ire hell. Mayor Walker gazed about him as though seeking something. he said, “where’s your gold service?” “Ah,” said Sir William Soulshy, “we keep that locked up down below. We’ll show you our plate presently.” “I'm sure dying to sect it.’ Mayor Walker assured him... He passed into the reception hall again, and was invited to sit in the Lord Mayor’s State chair. He sank into its scarlet plush with a sigh and rested his elbows on the gilded arms. "Well.” he observed with a wink. “I guess lam here for the night. I'm not going to get up! This is what 1 call a real practical chair.” And he winked across at Mrs Walker, a merry eyed little woman, who sat in the companion State chair beside him. “Look out, Mayor!” cried one of his party. “We’re just about to turn the current on!” Mayor Walker chuckled at the jocular reference to the “electric chair used for executions in Hie United States. “I don't care,” said he, "tins is just about the most eomtortahle chair “in the world.” His guides then took him io the police court which is part ol the Mansion House. The court was not sitting. IN’ THE DOCK. Mayor Walker stepped into the dock and turned to Sir John Knill and the members of his party who had reached the magistrates' seats. “Your worships, 1 plead guilty, he cried, with a show of fear, and he pointed to the Sword of Justice which hung above the Lord Mayor s chan. "It's the sight of that which lias made me give in and conlessl” lie declared. There was a roar of laughter, which was repeated when Mayor Walker, who is one of the ablest lawyers in the New World, left the dock and stood in the place reserved lor counsel. “Ah!” he sighed, “buck at the old trade—and ready to make objections, as usual I” Then the gaoler beckoned. “The cells are downstairs, sir,” he said. "Very well, officer” returned Mayor Walker Immlily and with bowed head

he returned to the clock. AI the top ol : the narrow stairway lending to the cells below lie threw out his hand in an eloquent gesture. THE ONLY WAY. ’ “Itis a far, far better thing that I do. than I have ever done;” lie quoted dramatically. “It-is a Inr. tar better rest that 1 go to than I have ever known I” He descended the stairs, the gaoler opened the steel-meshed door of one of the cells —and the Mayor of New York passed in. He was still sitting on the hard wooden seat in the cell when voices called to him : “Come and have some tea, Mr Walker!’’ “Geei” ho mused. “I guess there’s been many a poor devil here where [ am who would have been delighted to receive such an invitation.” ! [n a little room where prisoners records 'are kept, he saw one which bore a long column of “D and D” entries. “I kind of sense that that means ‘drunk and disorderly,’ ” he commented, “and not ‘deaf and dumb.’ ” He was frankly awed by Ihe sight of the City’s glittering treasures of plate in the dungeon-like strong room. “Marvellous—too, too marvellous!” he murmured; and when he saw the great pearl sword which Queen Elizabeth gave to the City of London he touched it almost reverently. “Noble—sure, it's noble!” he whispered. Then swiftly lie became humorous j again. "Gee!” lie cried, “what a cocktail you could mix in this little

. place!” Front the Mansion House Mayor Walker went to tbe Guildhall, where , among other tilings be saw the I letter from the Committee of the Association of Xew York in 17<o re- ’ questing the sympathy of the Lord ALiyor and Corporation of London ami protesting against the tax on tea. lie was presented with a facsimile copy of I the letter. j Mayor Walker confessed to a “Daily 1 AT nil” reported that he found London I to be “the most compelling city in | the world.” i To-day he goes to Dublin, and will f ' l visit Cast Incomer, County Kilkenny, I bis father’s birthplace. i