PAT HANLEY ON POLITICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2968, 7 May 1896, Page 3

PAT HANLEY ON POLITICS.

Our old friend Pat Hauley, as eccentric as over, has been distinguishing himself lately at one of Major Steward’s meetings. The following is taken from the North Otago Times : —Mr Hauley said he didn’t want to hear anything about banks. « We’ve heard enough about banks.” (A. Voice ; “ Sit down, if you’ve nothing better to talk about than the banks.”) Mr Steward tried to proceed, but it was impossible. Two or three would not listen to anything about banks. The chairman tried to regain a hearing for Mr Steward, who had resumed his seat, but the interposition of the chairman seemed to intensify the trouble. Mr Hanley said he was not going to be put down, and he declared that the Government of New Zealand was the lowest rilf-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 a fair hearing. Mr Hauley directed his fire to the Major, and declared that politicians were frauds, and the Bank of New Zealand was nothing but a pawnshop. The storm had now fairly burst upon the meeting. Mr Hanley ordered Mr Murphy to sit down, and practically took possession of the meeting amid cries of “ Hear, hear,” and great hullabaloo; “Hanley’s quite right”; “Steward’s a fraud”; “So’s Murphy”; “ So’s the chairman,” were heard above the din. For 7 or 10 minutes there was a perfect Babel of tongues, and a free fight seemed imminent. Mr Hauley declared that Mr Murphy was looking only for a billet, and that Major Steward was no man for them. At this the Major remained quite cool and unruffled. The chairman endeavoured to again interfere between Mr Murphy and Mr John Johnston and Mr Hanley, and had a warm time. An old feud seemed to have been revived. There were cries of “ liars”and “ frauds,” and the time the row occupied had now extended to 15 minutes, and it 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 to escape, and the row towards the door continued between the chairman and Messrs Hauley and Johnston, while the meeting dwindled away. Numbers, however, remained, and Mr Hauley came up to the table, and held forth at great length about banking legislation, and Major Steward, Messers Murphy and Davis, and the Bedcliif School Committee came under the lash of his tongue. Mr W. J. Williams tried to moderate the scene, but Mr Hauley 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, Messrs Williams, Johnston, Murphy, and Hauley wore all standing up and talking at one another at the same time. There was banging of tables with fists and the slapping of hats on the desks, and what with this and the loud, deafening, exaggerated talk Glenavy Schoolhouse became a perfect 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 marched straight up to the table at which the chairman sat, and, flourishing his arms about, tackled Major Steward with, “What have you done for us, anyhow? You’ve gone to Parliament for your own benefit.” The Major: “ That’s only your opinion.” The chairman wanted Mr Hanley to sit down and allow the Major to proceed, but Mr Hauley was intrepid, and turned on the chairman with : “ Aeii, you’re the lowest man in the world. Do you understand Irish, Major ?” The major said he know Irish fairly well. “ Thou my name’s Pat Hanley, and I tell you you’re not fit to represent Waitaki. You don’t represent us; yoYoproaent yersolf, aud that’s plain Irish, isn’t it ?” With this outburst of eloquence Mr Hanley made some sounds or expressions with his mouth that cannot bo produced by plain type, aud moved towards the door, aud passing out with Mr Johnston, the meeting had seen the last of Mr Hanley for at least a time. This rowdyism lasted nearlyhalf-an-hour, and when the atmosphere cleared the_ Major was obliged to admit that ho had never experienced such a time during the whole of his political career. It was nearly 11 o’clock before the meeting tormiua'ol.

A correspondent of tho Mail states that tho pooplo wore much disgusted at the disturbance, and hints at legal proceedings being taken against those who caused tho trouble. That tho electors had no sympathy with tho disturbers of tho meeting was shown by tho unanimous votes of confidence heartily accorded to Major Steward and to tho Government which has his support.