Fight in a Council Chamber. A COMBATANT'S LEG BROKEN.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Fight in a Council Chamber. A COMBATANT'S LEG BROKEN.

Melbourne, 30th August. At the Town Council meeting in Ballarat last Friday night a row occurred, which haa resulted in a broken leg to one ot the combatants, who is a member of the Legislative Assembly. The Mayor is elected by the Council, and the prospective Mayor sits in a chair nearest the holder of the seat. For possession of this chair Councillor Murphy, who is member for the district, and Councillor Walker fonght. Both are bulky men, but unaccustomed to the noble art, so that the fight was of the rough and tumble sort. Walkor got tho chair, and refused to move, whereupon Mnrphy overturned him and the chair, and he fell on the floor. Jumping up Walkor seized tho chair, and Murphy also took hold of the seat, which, beiweon thorn, was speedily pulled to pieces. Tho two Councillors fought with each other, and Murphy cried out that he would have Walkor, who is a Justice of the Peace, Btrnck off the rolls if he struck him. The two combatants ' became exoited, and after some blows were struck, Murphy took the back of the broken ohair and made a move towards Walkor, who mot him with a blow with his fist, which felled him to the floor. During this exciting oontest, which did not last many seconds, the other Councillors were either paralysed with astonishmont or occupied in requesting tho combatants to desist, and to remomber what was due to themselves and to tho Council. When Murphy was knocked down hie right foot twisted under him, and some of tho Councillors ejaculated, "No kicking, no kicking," but they decline to Bay to whom they said this or who was kicking. Murphy was injured bo much that it wa3 necessary for him to be takon home. Ho showß tho marks of a sovere blow undor ono oar, and of another on his nose, and ho says that theso and the fracture to Ma leg woco caused by Walkor kicking. Walker says that he struck Murphy with his right hand in self-defence, and tho Councillors are of opinion thkfc the fracture was occasioned by Murphy's leg doubling under him as he fell whon knocked down by tho latter, who says ho did not kick Mnrphy.