THE MEMBER FOR RANGITIKEI IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7927, 19 July 1887, Page 3

THE MEMBER FOR RANGITIKEI IN CHRISTCHURCH.

REFUSED A HEARING,

(Per United Press Association.)

Christcuuucii, July 18.

Mr Bruce, M.H.R. for Uaugitikei, attempted to deliver a political address, in the Tuam street Hall to-night, under the auspices of the Political Reform Association. About 20-0 persons were present; Mr Peter Cunningham, chairman of the association, took the chair. On doing so he was greeted with groans and uproar, and failed to get a hearing. A man in the body of the hull moved that tho mayor (who was present) take the chair. After considerable hooting and cheering, Mr Cunningham vacated tho chair. The mayor was unwilling to take it, and put tho question to tho meeting. About two-thirds of those present voted for it. The uproar still continuing, Mr Bruce came forward and endeavoured to get a hearing, but could not. Loud cries were raised for Mr Holmes, who with Mr W. P. Reeves, chairman of the Electors' Association, came to tho front and spoke to Mr Cunningham, offering, it is stated, to procure a hearing for Mr Bruce. Mr Cunningham would not allow them to spef.k, and shortly afterwards left tho platform, when most of his supporters followed his example; and the audience, after standing about for a few minutes, slowly dispersed as the lights iv the hall wereextiuguisbxd. Before they went, Mr Holmes briefly spoke, saying that had Mr Cunningham allowed him, he would have gained Mr Bruce a hearing—a statement which was received with loud cheers.

(FIiOJI A Con RESPONDENT.)

CuKiSTcnußcn, July 18.

An extraordinary scene was witnessed at the Tuam street Hall this evening. Mr R. C. Bruce, M.H.R., was announced to delivery political address under the auspices of tho Political Keforin Association, a body formed here mainly on the basis of Freetrade and rigid retrenchment in the public expenditure. There is a rival body called the Electors' Association, which supports Protection and the present Government. The Lyttelton Times, which is the organ of the Electors' Association, has for some dayi been strongly deprecating Mr Brace's visit, and this afternoon handbills were extensively circulated by the Electors', Association urging the members to roll up at Mr Bruce's meeting, so that the Political Heform Association should not be permitted to score a victory. As soon as tho meeting opeued to-nii;ht it was evident that there was a strong opposition party present determined not to allow Mr Bruce to speak. Time after timo did Mr Cunningham, the president of the Reform Association (who was in the chair), and Mr Bruce endeavour to obtain a hearing, but were unable to do so owing to the uproar and catcalls, groans, and cries of various kinds raised by the obstructionists, who repeatedly adjured Mr Bruce to "go back to the Maoris,"and to "go back to Rangitikei." At last a\l hope of giviug the address Jhnd to te abandoned, whereupon a deiertermined attempt was made by the Electors, Association, led by Mr John Holmes, M.H.R., and Mr W. P. Reeves, the president of the association, to jump the platform and convert the meetingjuto a Protectionist demonstration. This, however, failed, as the meeting refused to listen to these gentlemen either, and affairs were dually brought to a climax by the gas being turned out, after which tho meeting disperspd. The proceedings were altogether of the rowdiest character known here for many years, and a good deal of indignation is expressed among those who are not members of the Protectionist Association at the tactics pursued, particularly as Mr Bruce is a visitor, and as such had a right to expect, if not a hospitable reception, at anyrate a hearing.