MELODRAMA AND COMEDY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12868, 21 September 1904, Page 3

MELODRAMA AND COMEDY.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO HERALD.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. During the discussion on the Licensing Bill in the House of Representatives to-night Mr Rutherford, who was in a bantering mood, made some jocular remarks regarding the West Coast hotels. This roused the ire of Mr Roderick McKenzie, who rose and proceeded to make some very disparaging remarks regarding two of the leading Christchurch hotels. One of these, he said, was notorious for supplying women with liquor. The other was one of the lowest dens of iniquity on the face of the earth. It had an outrageous reputation, and he hoped the lion, member would use his influence with the directors of the hotel to see that they paid some attention to the licensing laws. Subsequently Mr Major rose to protest against the remarks made by Mr R. McKenzie with regard to one of the hotels referred to. He said he could absolutely refute Mr. McKenzie’s statements, which he regarded as a reflection upon himself (Mr Major), seeing that he always stayed at that hotel while in Christchurch. He regretted that Mr R. McKenzie had not, taken Mr Rutherford’s remarks in the jocular spirit in which they wore made. Mr Duthie spoke in a similar strain. He said he had stayed, while in Christchurch, at one of the hotels mentioned, during the last thirty years, and he could vouch for the excellent manner in which it was conducted. He also regretted that Mr McKenzie had not taken Sir Rutherford's remarks in the spirit in which they were meant. Another incident was more pleasant. “I should like to have the opinion of the hon. member for Ashburton on this point,” said Mr Rutherford, speaking on the question of the bona fide traveller and tbe three mile limit. “I know there is no man in this House who can speak with greater authority on the liquor question, than the lion, member. (Loud laughter). Whenever a band of those temperance agitators come up here to worry our respected friend, the Premier, the member for Ashburton is generally found to be amongst them. I’ll admit that he looks a bit out of place. (More laughter}.”

“The hon. member is travelling beyond the question,” interrupted the Chairman, and there was another peal of laughter.

1 Very well, sir. I’ll endeavour to keep within the three mile limit. I should like, however, to have the opinion of the hon. member for Ashburton ” Mr McLachlan at once rose to his feet, but was forestalled by Mr Witheford, who. while endeavouring to he funny, only succeeded in interrupting the flow of humour.

Mr McLachlan, however, got a few words in later on. He said that the member for Hnrnnui in that House was like the fly in amber. But his humorous sallies were, no doubt, necessary for the health of the members. Mr McLachlan then proceeded to make some remarks on the clause under discussion.