THE MEMBER FOR RANGITIKEI IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 16

THE MEMBER FOR RANGITIKEI IN CHRISTCHURCH.

(Fbom a Corhespondekt.) Chbistchdbch, July 18.

An extraordinary scene was witnessed at the Tuara street, Hall this evening. , Mr R. C.-Bruce, M.H.R., was announced to deliver a political address under the auspices' of the Political Reform 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 Lytteltoh Times, which is the organ of the Electors' Association, has for some days 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 Reform Association should not be permitted' to score a victory. As soon as tho meeting opened to-night it was evident that there was a strong opposition party present determined not to allow Mr Bruce to speak. Time after time 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 all hope of giving the address had to be abandoned, whereupon a detertermined 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 meeting jnto a Protectionist demonstration. This, however, failed, as the meeting refused to listen to these gentlemen either, and affairs were finally brought to a climax by the gas being turned out, after which the meeting dispersed. 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.