ON OBSTREPEROUS MEMBER.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 891, 23 November 1871, Page 2

ON OBSTREPEROUS MEMBER.

On Nov. 7th when the Payment of Provinces Bill was in committee, and the vexed subject of the distribution of the Road Board Grant had been fought over for several hours, Mr Mervyn claimed a special allowance for the Mount Ida District, on the ground that his constituents contributed a specially large proportion of the taxation. This statement Mr Reynolds called in question, and rather pooh-poohed the idea of the miuers being the real pillars of the State in the matter of taxation. Mr Mervyn took Mr Reynolds' remarks to himself, and made a fierce attack on that gentleman. The Chairman called him to order, but he took no notice, and continued to talk. The Chairman then ordered him to resume his seat, but he refused and continued talking; the Chairman said he would report him, but still Mr Mervyn continued talking as well as he could amidst the cries of "Chair," "order" and " Ser-geant-at-Arms." Mr O'Rorke then quitted the chair, and the Speaker resumed his seat. Mr O'Rorke reported that the member for Mount Ida had refused to obey him. The Speaker called on Mr Mervyn, and that individual made a long rambling statement, which the Speaker told him showed no justification of his conduct. Mr O'Rorke said he did not press for a formal reprimand, and then Mr Mervyn tried to argue the matter with the Speaker, but was forced to sit down, which he did, muttering " I may obey your ruling, but I don't believe in it. The Chairman resumed his seat, and Mr Mervyn resumed his factious opposition. Mr Steward protested most strongly against the course that person was pursuing, but Mr Mervyn perservered calling for divisions on every clause, and every few minutes moving to report progress. Seven times were the doors locked and unlocked again without a division being taken, as Mr Mervyn could find no teller to act with him. At last, the Chairman said he would take no notice of any call for a division, unless made by two members. Mr Mervyn tried to argue this, but was put down. He however, persisted in talking, until at last Katene told him he was talking nonsense, and he had better go home and go to sleep. Soon afterwards Pa rata rose, and after very strongly objecting to Mr Mervyn's behaviour, offered to carry the hon. member for Mount Ida to his lodging nolens volens, if the Committee wished it. The offer, however, was not acceptel, and at ha f past three o'clock next morning . the bill was reported with amendments. On the following afternoon, the House, was cleared for the purpose of allowing the Speaker to administer a severe rebuke to the hon. member for Mount Ida, in connection with his contumacious conduct on the previous night. Mr Mervyn apologised to the Speaker personally, expressing regret that that gentlemau should have thought any conduct of his calculated to lower the dignity of the occupier of the chair. After this, the House resumed business.