Disgraceful Scene.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8137, 22 January 1895, Page 2

Disgraceful Scene.

(Lyttelton Times own correspondent.) SOUTH RAKAIA, Jan. 18. Mr M’Lachlan, member for Ashburton, was announced to address a meeting of his constituents here to-night. I had hoped to send you a report of his references to local matters, but I am sorry to say that he was very drunk, and unable to speak. There was a very large attendance at the Town Hall, and a number of ladies were among those present. At eight o’clock Mr M’Lachlan, rolled in and staggered on to the stage. No arrangements had been made for a chairman, and Mr M ? Lachlan said he felt it a great insult to the member for Ashburton. There were several J.P.s in the place—a lot of nobodies—and he would resent such an insult, and make it hof for them. Mr 0. A. 0. Hardy, who was in the body of the hall, rose and said that had he been asked he would have taken the chair. Mr M’Lachlan said that Mr Hardy “ thought himself everybody.” He would not stoop so low as to ask him to take the chair—he thought he had “touched him on- the raw ” at last. Eventually, Mr W. Straehan said that he would take the chair, and did so. He introduced Mr M’Lacnlan, remarking that that gentleman was very much unaer the influence of liquor, and unable to address a meeting. He would suggest, therefore, that the meeting should be adjourned. Mr M’Lachlan, who was staggering about a good deal, resented the remark of the chairman that he was the worse for liquor; He said that he thought he was the “ better for liquor,” and he would go on. At this time it seemed very likely that the member would topple off the stage. He made two or three attempts to address the meeting, but only succeeded in saying that during the session several Bills had been placed before him as member for the Ashburton electorate, the most important of which was given to him in July, he thought, and referred to the guarantee of debentures of the Bank of New Zealand. He could say no more, and the people dispersed. A few minutes afterwards he fell off the stage. I was then a couple of chains away, but I heard the thud. It is a wonder that he did not injure himself. The scene was the most disgraceful I have ever witnessed here. I do not know what sort of a report you will publish, but I have given you the facts.