MASSEY AT CHRISTCHURCH.
UPROARIOUS GATHERING. NO SPEECH MADE. PROMISES TO COME AGAIN. [hy avh.—prkss association.] Christchurch, This Day. Gy 7.15 last night, the Choral Hall, which has a seating capacity for 1500 peoole, was crammed to the doors to hear Mr Massey deliver a political address.
The crowd outside became unmanageable, and the influx could not be stopped. A woman fainted in the crush, and this so disturbed the crowd that for sometime nobody could make himself heard. At 7.40 Mr T. E. Taylor stepped forward and said that unless the aisles were cleared the meeting could not be held, as the danger to the crowd was too great. This annnouncement caused an uproar, which lasted five minutes.
There was a perfect storm of cheers and hoots when Mr Massey stepped forward ,and for some time he could not get a hearing. When at last quiet was restored, Mr Massey said that failing his being able to address them that night, he would return and do so at the first available date. Some of the crowd asked him to address them in Latimer Square, but Mr Massey said his voice would not last half an hour in the open air. Mr Taylor made another appeal to those in the aisles to leave, but although some tried to do so the crowd eventually became worse than before. Just after eight o'clock, Mr Taylor declared the meeting closed, but the crowd made no effort to leave the hall. Mr Taylor and others turned to leave the platform, but were greeted with cries of "Cowards," and "Come outside."
During a momentary lull someone in the Gallery moved a vote of confidence in Mr Massey, and this was heralded by loud cheers. Someone in the gallery turned out one of the lamps, and a panic ensued, until the police restored order. At 8.15 Mr Massey came forward and said he had intended to refer to the Opposition's platform, the ActingPremier's speech, the grave defects of administration, and the TaylorMassey incident. He promised to come back and address them. Someone started "He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and this was taken up by the throng both inside and outside, and sung with fervour. The meeting then dispersed. It is estimated the crowd numbered nearly 6000 at one time.
Dr Levinge, Chairman of the local Reform Leauge Committee, and Mr Taylor, both apparently very angry, were seen in argument, and there was a tremendous uproar, especially when Mr Taylor was seen shaking his fist under the doctor's nose.
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King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 377, 12 July 1911, Page 5
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421MASSEY AT CHRISTCHURCH. King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 377, 12 July 1911, Page 5
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