AVONDALE UPROAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1926, Page 10

AVONDALE UPROAR.

ANOTHER ROWDY MEETING. REPLIES TO COUNCIL'S CRITICS. INTERRUPTED BY HOOTS AND YELLS. There have been many public meetings held in Avondale in connection with council affairs", but never was the large Tow.n Hall so crowded as it was last evening when the Mayor. Mr. W. J. Tait, and two councillors. Messrs. Thompson and P. Richardson, replied to the recent criticisms of two other members, Messrs. H. Tiarks and W. Pendlebury! As on previous occasions the meeting got completely out of control, and hoots, cat-calls, cock-crowing, ironical laughter and applause, counting-out and loud stamping of feet, were of frequent occurrence. On one or two occasions speakers, both on the platform and in the audience, were howled down. Immediately the chairman rose to speak there were organised interruptions. Above the din he was heard to remark, "I'm here to keep order (ironical applause) and I'm going to do it. I'm going to ask the rational people here to give mc their co-operation." He went on to explain why the meeting had been called, and said that the disgraceful happenings at previous public meetings was bringing the Avondale district into disrepute. "Avondale a Laughing Stock." "It is no pleasure for mc to come before you in the circumstances," said the Mayor, Mr. Tait. "But I felt it was my duty." The meetings which had been held were, he added, making the Avondale Borough a laughing stock. After having traced the history and the causes of the various public meetings which had been held previously, Mr. Tait said he was going to deal with Mr. Tiarks later. (Loud mughter). Referring to the auditor's report, the Mayor said a reputable firm of auditors had contracted to do the work for £5 per day, and it had taken twenty days. Mr. Tiarks: Did they do "it? Continuing, Mr. Tait said that any reports published by Mr. Pendlebury', Mr. Tiarks being associated with him. should take the responsibility. Mr. Tiarks: I will take all the responsibility you can place on my shoulders. Voices: Sit down. Order, order. A man in the audience jumped up and commenced to ask questions. The chairman: You'll have an opportunity to ask questions later. (Hear, hear and applause.) Mr. Tait went on to explain what had been done in making the office work more efficient, and was proceeding to tell the audience that he did not know of one instance where the council had outvoted the members of the south ward as far as administration was concerned, vhen Mr. Pendlebury interjected, "Dozens of times." " The Mayor: "Well, I'm pleased to hear it. (Loud laughter). "We are prepared to help the south ward," said Mr. Tait, "but if the south wants help at the expense— Mr. Tiarks: RotTim Mayor: You keep quiet. (Loud applause). "The three south members," he continued, "have had every reasonable chance of making good on the council—" (Cries of "Oh, oh," and laughter). Meeting in Uproar. At this stage of the proceedings the Mayor, Messrs. Pendlebury, Tiarks and a woman in the audience had a "few words," and, the chairman calling for order, his remarks were greeted with much merriment and ironical applause. Later there was a disturbance at the back of the haU, and again the chairman was on his feet saying, "I'm going to see this meeting through, even if I have to stay here tiU 3 o'clock in the morning. 5 * A voice: Too right you will. When quietness reigned for a space the Mayor endeavoured to tell what had been done regarding rates, when he was again interrupted by Mr. Pendlebury. "Now what about "this £500 business?" asked Mr. Tait, referring to a challenge made by Mr. Pendlebury'that he would give that sum to the hospital if it could be proved that he had seconded a resolution to increase the rates. The Mayor went on to read two resolutions, one on July 1, 1925, which was seconded by Mr. Thompson, adopting the rates, and another, passed on August 5, 1925, and seconded by Mr. Pendlebury, formally passing the consolidated rates to comply with the Act. Mr. Pendlebury (loudly): A consolidated rate. Voices:' Oh, shut up. The Mayor: My friend, Mr. Pendlebury, wishes you to believe he was not a party to it. Mr. Pendlebury: Nonsense. The Mayor: I hope and sincerely trust that the Auckland Hospital Board will benefit to the extent of £500. (Loud laughter and applause). Subsequently there was much interruption, and the Mayor could not proceed on account of the stamping of feet, groans, hoots, and cat-calls, especially when the chairman rose to speak. During the din the latter was heard to say, "Will you aUow the speaker to proceed and try to behave yourselves." Voices from all parts of the hall: Sh, sh, oh my! (Laughter). The chairman: I'm going to put a proposition to you. Those who don't want to listen please leave the hall and don't show your ignorance inside it any longer. Let's have a little common sense and reason. The Mayor: I'm going to be heard or you 11 get no more to-night. I can stop here till morning if you're willing The chairman: I'll make an appeal to your manhood. Don't you think it's very ill-mannered to go on like this? applause). Give the speaker a fair deal. Subsequently the Mayor was allowe* to proceed till he was again interrupted by Mr. Tiarks. who remarked something about Mr. Tait's education. Mr. Tait: I have not had a secondary education, nor yet passed the sixth standard, but I say to Mr. Tiarks that I could buy him at one end of a street nnd sell him at a profit at the other. (Roars of laughter and prolonged applause). Audience Takes Charge. Mr. Thompson received a comparatively quiet hearing when he spoke about the destructive criticism which was on in the borough. The speaker also pointed to the fact that tha council's hooka had satisfied the flovoininont auditor. Mr, Richardson, on rising to speak, waa counted out. Tlie chairman; Oh, give the man a chance, (Ironical applause). Mr. Richardson: If you'll give mc a chnnco I'll axrilodu your friends there. (pointing to Messrs. Tiarks and Pendlebury).

Amidst further interruption Mr. Richardson was heard to declare he was British, and would insist on British fair play. A voice: Oh, go hon. (Roars of laughter.) During the whole course of his remarks the speaker was subjected to running comment and interruptions from all parts of the hall. There were constant interjections, and at times Mr. Richardson, Mr- Tiarks and Mr. Pendlebury. amidst cries of "Sit down!" and loud stamping of feet, indulged in personalities. A cross-fire between Mr. Richardson and people at the back of the hall ended in him being counted out. But he maintained his ground, and received an attentive hearing till he said that if Mr. Tiarks was going to stand for the mayoralty then he would. This was a signal for wordy battle between the two councillors, to the accompaniment of hoots, yells, stamping of feet, and roars of laughter as the chairman endeavoured to restore order. Mr. Richardson: I don't care if I have to stand here for half an hour. I'm going to be heard. A squeaky voice from the back: Have a banana. This sally broke the meeting up completely, and Mr. Richardson resumed his seat amidst applause and counter applause. The Mayor made a statement to the effect that that would be the last meeting he and his fellow councillors would attend, no matter what the other side did in future. When question time came there was renewed pandemonium and the meeting closed after 11 p.m.