VICTORIA'S MR. BENT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 103, 24 January 1908, Page 4

VICTORIA'S MR. BENT.

TKOVES AN UXlii;j,y iionoi'Gii COUNCILLOR. -xr. Herd, besides being Premier of Victoria, is also a member of the Borough Council at Brighton, the suburb of Melbourne, in which lie , lives, and where for many years he carried oh business as a market gardener, before UUin<; to polities. At a meeting of the. lirighton Council last week a discussion of the proposed building regulations and by-laws culminated in a wrangle between the Mayor (Councillor Weigall) and Councillor lient. Councillor lient said no business ability had been shown in framing the by-laws, anil no legal man of any capacity would ho party to it. The Mayor said he did uofc think that Councillor Dent's legal opinions could be pitted against the opinions of those who had l rained the by-laws. Councillor Hem :. How dare yon refer lo me. It is like your impudence. (.Sensation^ The Mayor; Councillor lienl. I rule, you out of order, and ask you to withdraw. Councillor lient: What right have you to talk to mo. like, tliat? The Mayor: While F am here you will respect th.> chair. Councillor lient: I rcsnoct the chair, but X do not intend In withdraw. The Mayor: You are Councillor lient in this room, and nothing but Councillor lient, and .1 shall not allow you to dictate to me. Councillor lient: Don't hi; offensive. The .Mayor: Ho good enough lo respect Ihe chair and keep ordei'. You, above all men, should know how to behlive, and what is your proper course. Alter lurlher interchanges Ibe Mayor said : "Your opinion is not as valuable as lhat of the Council's legal advisers." Councillor lient: i'ooh, pooh! The Mayor: If you interrupt I'll rule you onl. of order, and exercise such powers liver you as I have. Councillor lient: Well, try. The Mayor having concluded his speech, the motion was carried.

As thf reMtll of rxaminalion tests, i; l o of iho oliildr«Mi allrndin;; Harking public schools have k't-it certified as able to s^vim.