A LIVELY POLITICAL MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 32

A LIVELY POLITICAL MEETING.

' Major Steward addresred his constituents ad Glenary (North Ofcago) on Taeaday 2&th ult., and the .North Otago Times declares it to have fca«a the rowdiest meeting ever held in that part of Ihe colony. Tbe "fun. began when the major commenced to deal withNbhe banking question, and this is how our contenipor-aty o'e;cubos the proceedings : — Mr Hanley said he didn't want to -hear anything about banks, "We've beard enough about banks." (A Voice: "Sit down, if yotfye nothing better to talk about than the banks.") lxr Steward tried to proceed, but it was imyos«sble. Two or three would .not listen to anything absnt .bonk». The chairman tried to regain a hearing ifor Mr Steward, who had resumed hit seat, but the interposition of the, chairman teemed t6 intensify the trouble. Sir

Hanley *aid he was noticing to be put down, and he declared that the Government of New Zealand' was the lowest riff-raff in the colony.—

(Uproar and cries of " To with them and you too.") Mr Williams and Mr Murphy tried to restore order and get .the major' s fair hearing. Mr . Haniey directed his fire to the major, and deolared that -politicians were frauds, and, the Bank of New Zealand •w»b nothing but a pawnshop. The storm had now fairly 'burst upon the meeting. My Hanley ordered Sir Murphy to ait down, and practically took pouwsion of the ■ meeting amid cries •of " Hear, fat<ar,"-and great hnllabaluo ; " Han- ■ "ley's 'quite right"; "Steward's a fraud"; -••Bo's Murphy 4 " So's the chairman," were .heard above the din. For seven or 10 minutes there was n perfect Babel of tongues, and a free {fight teemed imminent. Mr Hanley deolared "that ISr- Murphy was looking only for a billet,

*nd that Major Steward was no man for them. 1 At this tfae tnuj >r remained quite cool and unrafltad. <The chairman endeivoared to Again interfere between Mr Murphy and -"Mr John Johnston and MrEfiUnley, and had a warm time. An did faudcee'med to have been revived. There Trere cries of " .liars" and^ frauds," And the time the row occupied had now extended

"to- 15 minutes, and ifc was as near an end as, when it began. Several "of those present 'reached for their 'hats and coats, and made towards the door. The ladies fluttered also escape, and the row towards the" door, continued between* th* chairman and <lfesars Hanley 'and Johnston, while the meeting dwindled away. Nunibers, however, remained, and''Mr Hanley came up to the table,- and held forth at great length about banking legislation, and Major Steward, Messrs Murphy and Davis, and the Redcliff School Committee came under

hho lash of his tongue. Mr W. J. Williams itried to moderate the scene, but Mr Htnley held the meeting, and was still going strong and would not be put down. His language was not what one would' call parliamentary, and the chairman, Mes»rs William*, Johnston, Murphy, And Hanley were all standing up and talking at one another 'at the same time. There was banging of tables with fists and the slupping of hats -on the desks, and what with this and the loud, deafening, exaggerated talk -Glenavy Bchoolhonse became a psrfect Bedlam, -- What was to make peace ? There were invitations extended to go to the hotel for drinks. This was evidently accepted by two or three, and the scattered meeting began'- to reform. No sooner was this done, however, than Mr 'Hanley returned to the onslaught, and Starched straight up to the table at which the chairman sat, and, flourishing his arms aboutf, tackled Ms>jor Steward with : "What havo you none for us, anyhow ? You've gone to Parliament for jour own benefit." The Major :

" That's only your opinion." The chairman

wanted Mr Hanley to sit down and allow the major to proceed, bat Mr Ha»ley was intrepid, and turned oa the chairman with i " Aca, you're

the lowest man in the world Do you understand Irish, major ? " The major «aid he knew Irish Eairly well " Then my name's Pat Han] of, and I tell you you're not fit to represent Waitaki. You don't tepresent us ; ye represent jeruelf, and that's. plain Irish, isn't it?" With this

burst of eloquence Mr Hauley no.de some EonndVor expressions with hia month that cannot be produced by plain type, and moved toirarda the door, and passing out with Mr Johnston, the meeting had seen the last of Mr Hanley for at least a time. This rowdyiwn lasted .nearly half an hour, and when the. atmosphere cleared the major was obliged to .admit that. he had never experienced such a time during the whole of his political career. tt waa nearly,' ll o'clock before the meeting terminated.

A correspondent of the Mail states that the people were much disgusted at the disturbance, -and hints at legal proceedings being taken against those who caused the trouble. That ■idie electors had no .sympathy with the disturber* of, the meeting was shown by the •Unanimous, votes of confidence heartily accorded to Major Steward andto the Government whioh has his support.