DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4548, 27 December 1930, Page 4

DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

SETTLERS ENGAGE IN FREE EIGHT. OPENING OF AUCKLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL. (Following 1 a social gathering on the occasion of the opening of the new Hojiikiwi school, near Otorohanga, and in the presence of the school children and parents, a disgraceful frtee fight took, place among the settlers of the district. It appears that a settler asked the chairman whether the new school could he used for dances, and not receiving what lie considered to lie a satisfactory reply he asked further questions. This led to a member of the school committee interjecting: “Shut, up!” and (brought a retort from the first speaker that he would knock his “block oft'.” Both men rose to niaifce for each other and the chairman tried to part them. In so doing a settler was struck, on the jaw. The chairman was also struck in the ensuing melee, and then other members of the school committee joined in, while women shrieked and some of them fainted. Apparently deep-seated animosity came to the surface, and suggestions about marked sheep only slerved to infuriate some of •the men concerned. There were no intoxicants at the gathering. Honikiwi is ten miles from Otorohanga, in isolated back country. Earlier in the day Mr. W. J. ‘ii'oadfoot, M.P., and Mrs. Broadfoot, had formally opened the new school. They left at an early hour for Otewa to attend the broalkingup ceremonies at the school there.