UNEXPECTED OUTBURST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 204, 30 August 1938, Page 8

UNEXPECTED OUTBURST

MR. SEMPLE AT COUNTY FUNCTION ATTACK ON COUNCILLOR [ Per Pres. Association.] BLENHEIM, Aug. 29. Events at the opening of the new Hodder River bridge in the Awatere districts by the Hon. R. Semple on Saturday took a surprising turn when the Minister made a strong attack on a member of the Awatere County Council who was standing alongside him, alleging that he had been insulted. The object of Mr. Semple’s charge was Mr. L. L. T. Bush, who is incidentally chairman of the New Zealand National Party for this electorate. At the July meeting of the County Council, when it was suggested that Mr. Semple be invited to open the bridge Mr. Bush remarked: "Would you ask the county to pay his expenses to come over here and open the bridge?" Waving a newspaper clipping aloft, Mr. Semple, averring that he had been a fighter all his life and never took an insult lying down, declared that he had never "scrounged” on any county council or anybody else for expenses. “I want to tell Mr. Bush to his teeth that I resent this bitter, vindictive, common Insult.” Denying any political bias in his ’ own feelings, Mr. Semple added: "I want to tell you, Mr. Bush, that your remarks were a common, cheap and vulgar insult. I want nothing from you or from the council. I resent ' your political insult and venom." Mr. Bush: Mr. Semple, allow me— Mr. Semple: I don't want to hear anything from you at this juncture. The County Council chairman intervened to explain that Mr. Bush's remark was intended jocularly. Mr. Bush also assured the Minister that this was so and offered to apologise and shake hands, admitting that the remark was open to a wrong construction if removed from its context. Remarking that he would take no insults and was not afraid "to put in the boot,” the Minister accepted the proffered hand and the incident closed amid applause.