THE LADY MAYOR.

Evening Star, Issue 9387, 8 May 1894, Page 2

THE LADY MAYOR.

STORMY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

AUCKLAND, May 8.

There Avas a very stormy meeting of the Onehunga Borough Council last night, the Council Chamber being crowded in anticiEuiion of some fun. Lady Mayor Yates, efore commencing the proceedings, warned the spectators that it was no place for laughter, and said that if any disturbance occurred she would send for the police and have the place cleared. After a battle roj al between Mrs Yates and •Cr Jackson as to the correctness of the minutes, Cr Tapp drew attention to the subject of sanitation, and moved that a night-soil cart be employed. This proposal was received with cheers by the spectators, whereupon the lady mayor threatened to have the room cleared by the police. Cr Tapp said that the mothers of Onehunga were fearful of typhoid, and had Mrs Yates been a mother she would be able to sympathise with their feelings. Mrs Yates protested that Cr Tapp must not be personal. After an angry altercation she ruled Cr Tapp out of order, but the latter Sersisting in speaking the mayor said if he id not sit down she would have him removed. Cries of "Sit down" aud "I claim my right" passed quickly and repeatedly from the chair to the council table and back again. Cr Tapp eventually apologised, though he said he did not see why he should. The passages-of-arms were followed keenly by the crowd, who laughed and enjoyed the scene hugely, till Mrs Yates, rising sternly, demanded silence. She Baid that she would not have the Counoil burlesqued. If people were present who were so ignorant that they did not know when they were insulting she would not allow them to insult her. Cr Tapp retorted that he was being insulted, but as he would not apologise further he was not allowed to proceed. The proceedings were pretty much of this character throughout, and very little business was consequently transacted. .