HOUSE ORDER RESTORED

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29051, 13 November 1959, Page 13

HOUSE ORDER RESTORED

Dispute Over Manhunt

(Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 12.

The Speaker (Mr J. Maher) today quelled a storm in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly with a demand for apologies from the Premier (Mr R. Heflfron) and the Deputy-Leader of the Opposition (Mr E. A. Willis).

Uproar broke out in the House yesterday when the Opposition charged that Mr Heffron and the State Police Commissioner (Mr C. J. Delaney) had quarrelled over the hunt for the escaped convict Kevin Simmonds. Mr Willis, who was ordered out by the Speaker, left shouting: “Ned Kelly rules again.” Today, Mr Willis had to apologise to the Speaker for conduct which Mr Maher described as “most disorderly and abominable.” *

Mr Heffron had to apologise for a remark which Mr Willis claimed had defamed him. , . Simmonds, aged 24, is still at liberty after a gaol break 34 days go. The hunt, now concentrated around Wyong, 65 miles north of Sydney, was washed out by rain today. Roads and paddocks in the district were turned into muddy quagmires, and 50 tons of shingle were put down around the police headquarters camp. One hundred men had been withdrawn from the search in the last three days, and 200 men are carrying on.