POLITICAL RUFFIANISM.

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 4098, 30 December 1887, Page 4

POLITICAL RUFFIANISM.

Ono of the moat painful scenes ever! known Id Parliament occurred In the - ; Legislative Assembly (says the Melbourne Argua) last night, when the question of the extension of the city westwards was under consideration in Committee. It was not entirely doe to the muggy atmosphere, but to the strained relations between the Premier and. the of the Opposition. Mr Bent was speaking very strongly in regard to the great loss likely to arise by blocking the city at Spencer-street, and preventing settlement on the land west of the " Is prejadice to rale ?asked Mr Bent. "No, nor syndics tea," Interjected Mr GUlles. Mr Bent very wildly retorted that that was a nice remark to come- from the man who was paid for poshing the Tramway Bill through the Honse. He repeated this before Mr Gillies had time to recover himself, bnt when he did he rose and demanded that the words should be taken down. Tho Chairman Interposed to keep order, and Mr Bent said that in obedience to the chair he would withdraw. Mr Gillies would not accept this. He had been deeply wonnded, and insisted upon the words .being not only withdrawn, bnt apologised for hambly. There was the customary troable about identifying the words, Mr Bent denying them, bnt Mr Deakin moved that the words, as taken down by the clerk, be reported to the Speaker. Then was mnch activity in the Opposition, and members crowded round Mr Bent to give him advice while Mr Gannson gave time for reflection by talking. He nearly precipitated a second disturbance when, in taking notice of a remark by Mr Walker, he said that no one woald pay attention to a dying man. The Ministerial party yelled " Fiend !" " Shama !" and 10 on, and Mr Ganoson took up another line. Subsequently he apologised.