PROTECTING EROS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 435, 17 May 1937, Page 3

PROTECTING EROS

FAMOUS LONDON STATUE Piccadilly On Festive Nights London, May 3. Eros, poised on his fountain in the centre of Piccadilly Circus, is shortly to lead a protected existence during festive occasions. From behind a 12ft barrier on “nights of celebration” he will be able to look down on the hordes of revelling undergraduates and Rugger Night enthusiasts, serene in the knowledge that he is secure from the attentions of young gentlemen who want to seize his bow or crown him with\ bowler hat. The Metropolitan Police Force are no longer desirous of acting as his bodyguard when the town goes gay. The Commissioner of Police has admitted that on last New Year’s Eve the pressure of attacking merry-mak-ers was such that fifty policemen were forced up the steps of the fountain. They had difficulty in preventing the enemy from clambering into the basin and up the statue. The L.C.C: Parks Committee has now recomended that a solid hoarding be placed round the statue whenever trouble might be expected. The hoarding will cost £125, including painting and decorating. It will eost another £lO to erect and remove on each occasion.

Mr Herbert Morrison, M.P., leader of the London County Council, said: “I feel it Is a reflection on our city that it should not be considered to be free from people playing the fool. They, run the risk not only of damaging the statue, hut damaging themselves and other people. Such people ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.”