Mr Duthie’s Meeting.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 82, 7 November 1890, Page 3

Mr Duthie’s Meeting.

Extraorclinary Proceedings. "We take the following description of the concluding part of Mr Duthies meeting from the Evening Post. It would seem that, the obstruction was first caused through a number of Mr Duthie’s supporters being admitted by ticket only in the earlier part of the evening Mr Dnthie once more , faced the meeting, but extraordinary yells of execration arose,, and; were answered by applause whenever he addressed himself to speech, or persuasively raised his hand. Three cheers were again given for somebody, and then- a musical fit ,‘seizvd the obstructionists, who joined ih’ singing' the retrain -of the popular song “ Marching 11rough Georgia,” till their voices were drowned by pedal and manual applause from the opposition camp. Then ns the noise partly Bubsidgd, the original pitch of the popular ditty was found to have been lost, and it was being sung in a variety of keys, with an effect decidedly unpleasant to a sensitive ear. ; The call of “ Three cheers for Duthie ” succeeded by one of “ 1 lives cheers, for, Fishei. id fbfrain -‘ Ruld Brittann” was next struck up, and merged into “ For he’s a Johy Good Fellow,” and other less familiar ballads, sometimes two or three being sung together. At one time the energies of the rowdies seemed to have almost expended themselves, but on Mr Duthie trying to make himself heard, the uproar was renewed, and a leather-lunged chorus declared somebody-to be “ a jolly good fellow.” t; AH this time Mr Dnthie was able to remark —-but he was prevented from enlightening his friends by “ three cheers for Collins” being raised. “I was anxious,” said the candidate, to express to Mr Collins—(interruption, and cries of “ Quack, quack”)—that it was very kind of him, and I know he meant well, but I am a citizen of Wellington of 12 years’ standing—(groans and cheering)—and I wish to appear on my own merit si or mot at all. . (Cheers and further interruption.) It is j*ery diffi,cult for me—alipoat impossible for any jpeakcv—(inlerruption, three cheers ;forl Fisher); answered by ’hissing and continued uproar, the whistling of the air of a Highland Fling, and the singing of a parody on the words of a popular We’ll hang old Dnthie on a JKPnpple tree.”- There Were also ■./several cries for “ Collins,” and vociferous advice to “Get another chairman,” besides sundry interjections about privileged tickets, &c. ’ More than half an hour had now passed—on the infallible authority of our repreKprtatlve’s watch—since Mr Duthie was able to command anything like a hearing. He had risen to speak about a dozen times; only to■ be hooted down, so the Chairman retired behind the scepes,' and at 9 o'clock announced —of, at least, tried to mafoht known— Hurt Mf Bnlbip’s cc'ininiltoe had decided to close the meeting. They very much ivgrpiled that.Mr Buthio should have Au give vtfiy to n' noisy minority, but out

i of consideration for the majority of those r present, he was reluctantly obliged to do so. The Chairman formally declared . tho meeting closed. Then ensued the most remarkable ■ scene of all. The two sections of the gathering—Mr Dutllie's supporters and his opponents —began howling and yelUhg at each other with all their liiiig power, from floor, galleries and stage. Walking sticks, handkerchiefs, ladies’ shawls, and coats—thrown off on the spur of the moment —were wildly waved aloft, or pounded on the floor, and several excited persons brandished such weighty objects as chairs and tables. For upwards ot 20 minutes this tumult continued, and even then the partial lowering of the gas’ had bat little effect in abating tho excitement. Ought to Come Sooner. A resourceful young gentleman .employed in an extensive business establishment in New Zealand arrived at his office late the other morning, and in order to eXcuse his negligence he] entered in the time book the letters < 0.C.5.,’ which being interpreted means ‘On Company’s service.’ Man is imitative, and the other clerks, observing the extreme wisdom of the plan, took it to.heart with a view to its practical application. Consequently the hours,of. business in that office were consider- I ably altered, and the time book was | freely decorated with the three magic letters which formed a complete excuse for people who like to enjoy the beautiful spring morning in bed. There came a fateful day, however, when the ‘chief ’ happened to see the book. He marvelled much at the number of ‘ O.C.S.V and as he looked round him blankly his thoughts framed the words ‘What does this mean ?’ He was answered by j the office boy with Please, sir, it. means ‘ Ought to come sooner.’ ” There ], are a great many persons in the office ' now who sigh heavily because ‘ O.C.S. ’ | is given exactly that meaning. (