SETTLERS’ FREE FIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 456, 23 December 1930, Page 7

SETTLERS’ FREE FIGHT

NEW SCHOOL OPENING DISGRACEFUL SCENE ENSUES DEEP-SEATED ANIMOSITY [Special to •‘Chronicle.’’! AUCKLAND, Dec. 22. Following on a social gathering on the occasion of the opening of the new Honikiwi School near Otorohanga, and in the presence of the school children and parents, a disgraceful free fight took place among the settlers of the district. It appears that a settler asked tho chairman whether the new school could be used for dances, and not receiving what ho considered to be a satisfactory reply, he asked further questions. This led to a member of the school committee interjecting. “Shut up,” and brought a retort from the first speaker that he would knock his “block” off. B;>th men rose to make for each other and the chairman tried to part them, and in so doing a settler was struck on the jaw. The chairman was also struck in the ensuing melee and then the other members of tho school committee joined in, while women shrieked and some of them fainted.

Apparently deep-seated animosity came to the surface and suggestions about marked sheep only served to infuriate some of the men concerned. There were no intoxicants at the gathering.

Honikiwi is ten miles from Otorohanga in isolated buck country. Earlier in the day Air W. J. Broadfoot, M.P., and Airs Broadfoot had formally opened the new school. They left at fin carlv hour for Otewa to attend breaking up ceremonies at the school there.