AN EX-MEMBERS’ QUARREL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7222, 18 July 1884, Page 8

AN EX-MEMBERS’ QUARREL.

Auckland, July 2. An altercation took place in Queen-street to-day between Mr Dargaville and Mr Swanson—both of whom aro standing for City West—when Mr Swanson, exclaiming, “ Do you mean to call me a liar,” struck Mr Dargaville with bia stick, causing a slight abrasion of the skin on his face, from which the blood appeared. Mr Dargaville Immediately got into a cab and drove to the club. The following are additional particulars : During the course of the forenoon Mr Dargaville and Mr Swanson wera observed in earnest conversation in front of the Victoria Arcade hoarding, at the corner of Queen and Shortland-streets. It is well known that Mr Dargaville is seeking re-ejection for the City West electorate, while a requisition is being signed for presentation to Mr Swanson, asking him to contest the seat against Mr Dargaville. Consequently it is not surprising that an inter, view between these apparently antagonistic politicians should have excited some interest. The conversation had lasted some time, when the attention of some people in the immediate vicinity was attracted by an ominous increase in the pitch of the gentlemen’s voices. Words of a decidedly unparliamentary character were beard, and then Mr Swanson exclaimed, in indignant tones, ” Do you mean to call me a liar ? ’’ Without waiting to assure himself that it was Mr Dargaville's intention toimpugn his veracity, Mr Swanson raised his stick, which ho usually carries to assist him in his peregrinations through town, and struck bis opponent a smart blow on the head. No exceptional force was used, the action evidently being intended as a challenge to actual combat, or probably was looked upon by Mr Swanson as an indignity sufficient (o assuage his wounded feelings. Mr Dargaville’s hat was knocked off his head, and partly crushed. He stooped to pick it up, and it is asserted by some that while engaged in recovering possession of his chapeau, Mr Swanson struck him again ; this is, however, denied. Sir Dargaville was observed to remove some blood from bis face, the blow having caused a slight abrasion of the skin. He made no attempt to return the blow, but addressed several words to Mr Swanson, and then hunting over to a cabstand, entered a vehicle and drove up to the club. Mr Swanson, whose anger appeared to be thoroughly kindled, was taken away from the scene by a friend. The affair caused great excitement in town and was warmly discussed during the day, Mr Dargaville makes the following statement with regard to the occurrence : “Mr Swanson and I were standing together talking in a friendly manner when in the course of conversation he made nsa of some very coarse language about a third party. I said ‘ That is very strong language to use; how would you like to have it usod about yourself ? ’ He said : nobody would dare to use such language of him ; if you naed it of me I would give you the same back.’ He immediately struck me with bis cratch and knocked my hat off. I made no attempt to retaliate, but while stooping to lift my hat I received another blow from the crutch, and said to Swanson : ‘ You are a cripple just now, and I will not quarrel with you, 1 with which remark I walked off, Mr Dargaville said it was not his intention to proceed against his antagonist for assault; he would alio w the Djattef to drop,"