BALCLUTHA MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1084, 4 February 1879, Page 5

BALCLUTHA MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

The usual weekly meeting of the abovenamed society was held last Saturday night, and the subject for the evening being one of great interest, there was of course a full attendance of members.

The President said — Gentlemen, you are all aware that the question for discussion to-night is *' What is woman's proper social posi ion ?" It does not become me as President of this Society, as Chairman of this meeting, to express my views or convictions upon this subject at the outset of the debate, so I will content myself by merely expressing a hope that throughout the discussion will be conducted in a fair and friendly manner, and be i-emark-able only for that toleration of the opinions of others, which is the evidence of well-balanced, well -regulated, just, and impartial minds. Let no personalities interfere with the course of our investigation, but let every member, striving only for the truth, respectfully and seriously listen to the arguments of hia opponents, and in a fair and gentlemanly manner reply thereto. Let not the venomous fee ings of party malice carry you into degrading exhibitions of detestable and abominable blaekgnardism, but let your sole, your hearty, your honest endeavor? be to gain nearer to the gaol of truth. Then will the world point to us aud exclaim, " There is a Society impervious to emotions of personal spite ; there is a Society whose members will improve each other, and whose investigations and discussions will benefit the whole human race." — (Applause.) Gentlemen, we will now discuss " What is a wooiau'B proper social position V and I call on Mr A. Gallant to open the debate. MrPigg— Mr President and GtntU-

men, before this debate is proceeded with, I wish to draw the attention of this Society to a matter of the greatest possible importance. I refer to the unfair report of our last; meeting which appeared in. the * C:utha Times. 1 Now, gentlemen, if what I say i3 to be reported at all, it must be reported in a fair and truthful manner. I will not allow the little paltry ideas of the reporter to creep into the reports of our proceedings. I never said that Mr Flaming was an ass. On tbe contrary, I dis.inctly stated that my friend Mr Flaming was a man who Mr Don objected. Mr Pigg was getting into his ui>ual groove, and if allowed would run in it for hours. Mr Flaming thought it very unjust that Mr Pigg should always be interrupted just at the most interesting point of his discourse. Mr Cunning said- — In reaard to this reporting business 1 have a few remarks to make. I was once a reporter myself. (A Voice— And a jolly good reporter, too. Mr Cunning smiled.) I thank that gentleman for his remark, but hope he will restrain bis enthusiasm. I was about, to say thai I was once a reporter too, and knew how easy it was to make mistakes. We are all liable to mistakes ; even I, my friends, 'aye sometimes herred. but I always made the amende honorable, and I think all reporters should. Now that, young fellow of the ' Clutba Times ' owes me an apology for the awful manner in which he treated my h's, and unless he makes an apology, and gives a fairer report in future, I shall vote for his exclusion. I can stand being told to go to an 'ot climate, I can stand being robbed, but I cannot stand my h's being treated in that awful manner. He's a d— d young rascal, a rob The President — Really, Mr Cunning, you are going too far. Tour language is not calculated to advance our object — mutual improvement. Mr F. IS. Cunning — That's all right. Perhaps it wouldn't do for me to thus publicly hexplain how that young fellow has robbed and ill-used me, but if any body will come and spend sixpence in my bar I shall be most happy to tell him all about it.

Mr Don — Mr Chairman and gentlemen, about thia reporting business.- I ask any fair and impartial man to read the two reports of our last Borough Council meeting appearing, one in the ' Times,' and one in that abortion, the ' Leader,' and tell me wheh is the more correct, the more truthful, the more fair. Gentle men, a fairer report of our " proceedings could not have been obtained than that which appeared in last Tuesday's ' Times.' Every word was reported Mr Flaming said, excitedly — It 13 not true.

Mr Don said Mr Flaming was another

The Chairman called both these gentlemen to order, and both these gentlemen ,okl the (."h airman to shut-up.

The President (indignantly) — I will not be talkt-d to in that manner. If she members of this Society think F do not kn w tlie dut'es of my position, the remedy is in their own hands.

Mr Don said he thought he had heard hat remark somewhere before. It

s uncled so si ly, be was almost certain he had heard it in the Borough Council. He svas about to say, when lie was vulK'irly interrupted by thab raving idiot Licks — (lihem ; ) — Flaming — Mr Fiaming— Mr Presideut, I will noi be abused in that manner' —

Mr Don — The d — cl man's interrupting me again — Mr Flaming — If that horrible vender of poisonous intoxicating liquor does not immediate y retract, I shall severely castigate him —

Mr Don (squaring up) —Come on— put up your (looks. Mr Flaming - In my paper ?

Mr Don — If that abominable circulator of atrocious grammar and mutilated facts dares to say a word about me iv his execrable rag, I shall knock him into the middle of next week. — (Hereupon Mr Don danced excitedly up and down the placform, his hands and arms describing a peculiar rotatory motion, and his fist oc^ cassionally passing within an inch of Mr Flamiog's nose.) Mr Cunning — I'll back Cu — ah — Don, I mean — to fight Flaming for £5, and I'll stake the money, do you see. And if he can't do it, I will. — (Hereupon Mr Cunning joined Mr Don in his violent calisthenic exercises,) •# The President— Gentlemen! gentlemen! gentlemen ! Is this your method of improving each otLer ? ]y£ r j) oa — IU improve that Flaming beak. The President — Ts this the way you discusss woman's social position 1 Mr Cunning (breathless)— Blow woman's social position. The President — Gentlemen, this is the most abominable scene that has ever been my lot to witness. I will not bear to be thu3 insulted. I dissolve the meeting. The debate is adjourned till next Saturday evening. The debate was accordingly adjourned, and after a time the members wended their ways home, thoroughly satisfied with their evening's entertainment.