Lively Times at Nelson.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 276, 29 April 1897, Page 3

Lively Times at Nelson.

DONNYBBOOK ECLIPSED. Extraordinary proceedings took place in connection with the election of a Scho: 1 Committee at Motupeko (Nelson, district) on Monday night. There had been a long dispute between rival factions regarding the school teacher, many parents sending their children to local private schools and a distant State school in consequence, but last year's committee and secretary favored the teacher. Oa Monday the faction against the committee elected a chairman b fore the 8 o'clock statutory meeting at d ruled a proposal by the other faction's cbaiiman out of order. They then proceeded to elect a committee. Immediately this was done, amid considerable uproar, the chairman declared that the committee desired to transact private business and ordered the householders to leave. Then ensued an indescribable scene. Ash sticks and pick-axe handles were used, and the room cleared by ejections through the door and windows, and, the committee barricading themselves in, elected a chairman and secretary. Previously the minute book hod been snatched from the formpr secretary, and it was brought into town by the new secretary yesterday, guarded l.y a formidable weapon. During the melee one man had his face badly cut, and several others had their ribs hurt by sticks. Another man lost a watch, chain, and trinkets. The teacher was carried bodily out of the room crying for the police, and declaring he was a prisoner. Eventually the police demanded admission and obtained it. The householders of the teacher's faction meanwhile met under poHc? protection and also elected a committee. The matter was brought before the Education Board, and the elections declared void. Some assault cases will be the result of the fracas.