READING INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1929, Page 6

READING INQUEST

DREW AND PUBLICITY VALUE. I United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, October 12. The question of a Coroner’s powers continues to be widely discussed. Mr Martin, * the Reading Coroner, said that Drew was treated fairly in a similar manner to all other inquesis. He himself was inclined to agree that a Coroner’s duty should be conferred to determining the cause, of death, but this and other points which have been raised were matters for legislature.

Drew is no longer a local idol. The orgy, of hero worship ■ has- ceased as suddenly as it began, and Drew is now able to walk with the same freedom as any other person. Yesterday his appearance held up traffic, and thousands cheered, but to-day in solitude he is like an actor who has lost his audience. When he posed for photographers outride his hotel, not more than a dozen loiterers looked

Drew says candidly that lie is an actor who likes publicity, but that he is perturbed at the thought that lie may be regarded as a notoriety seeker.

Asked whether .'le thought the recent inquest would have any effect on his career, he replied: “I do not know. It may be a good thing but notoriety may turn people against me. It rvffll ho an anxious moment when I make my next stage appearance. Producers have been tumbling ever themselves for my service, and have offered sixty pounds for me to appear in a five minutes talkie, but I have decided nothing yet. It is easy to commercialise publicity, but that is the last thing that 1 intend to do.”