DISGRACEFUL LARRIKINISM

Evening Star, Issue 7280, 3 August 1887, Page 2

DISGRACEFUL LARRIKINISM

[Si'ISCIAL TO THIS STAR,]

CHRISTCHURCH, August 3. The ' Star' comments strongly on the disgraceful rowdyism at the meeting or the Linwbod electorate convened by Mr Reese. It was evident from the.outset that the proEroceeding_s would be disorderly, as a num« er of larrikins got possession of part of the building and were dispersed about the hall. They were provided with extraordinary supplies of rotten eggs and dead rats. Indeed, the number of rodents thrown on to the stage Was so groat, and their decomposition was so far advanced, that regularlyorganised rat hunts must have been going on for weeks previously. As if the pestiferous odor of rats and eggs was not enough, assafcetida was also brought into use. The chairman (Mr Toomer, of the Lin wood Town Board) stuck manfully to his post, making appeals for support and fair play, and by his orders one or two persons were ejected, though not without a free exchange of blows. Mr Reese, too, was riot at all disposed to give way, but eventually the confusion became indescribable, and the meeting broke Up. The «Star' urges that the electors, who are not to blame for the disgraceful affair, ought to take rigorouß measures to prevent its recurrence.