A LITTLE FRICTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8725, 6 May 1914, Page 7

A LITTLE FRICTION

OVERCOME BY TACT. Last evening, at the conclusion of the meeting called by the Mayoi of Lower Hutt (Mr B. P. Bunny) in respect to the recreation ground loan, Mr J. Braescll, a candidate for the vacant seat on the council, commenced to address those present, when Mr T. C. Dawson, another candidate for the council, arose and said that “this individual (referring to Mr BrasseU) had mat him (the speaker) in the street and said ho had heard - that he (Mr Dawson) was seeking election for the purpose of blocking proposals brought forward by Mr H. Baldwin (tho Mayorelect).” Mr Dawson characterised the statement as “a lie,” and said that, if effected, ho would support tho Mayoi in any progressive policy that was brought forward. There were cries from the body of the hall of “I will referee.” Mr Brassell replied that ho was known from one end of Now Zealand to the other as a clean fighter, and if a man called him a liar ho would do his best to knock him down, notwithstanding his size. He wont on to say that he accepted Mr Dawson’s word. Mr Brassell was speaking in regard to borough matters, when the altercation was resumed. Mr Orton Stevens said that Mr Brassell had been a member of his council when ho (Mr Stevens) was Mayor of Lower Hutt, and he had always found him a clean fighter and hard worker in the interests of the borough. Mr Dawson was also a clean fighter. Certain irresponsible persons in the district had put tho rumour around, and he (the speaker) had also been drawn in. No notice should be taken of such absurdities. He trusted that to-day tho best man would win, and in moving a vote of thanks to. Mr Brassell for his address, ho said ho would ho pleased to shoot a pigeon match with him. (Laughter.) Mr Brassell, it need hardly be explained, is one of the foremost pigeon shots of the Dominion.

The motion was duly seconded, and was carried unanimously.