A LIVELY HARBOR BOARD.

Western Star, Issue 1077, 30 October 1886, Page 3

A LIVELY HARBOR BOARD.

At a meeting of the Westport Board, held on tho 14th inst, the chairman made certain statements with reference to the workmen employed by the Board, lie quoted an instance where he had seen live men rolling a stone that one could have rolled, and that the manager of the works had never seen a stone harrow in his life before. A member of the Board came to the rescue, and asked the chairman what he knew about a quarry. Another member said he had known the chairman for twenty years at cordial-manufacturing, newspapermaking, and butchering, but never quarrying. Others had known him from ’66, coach-driving in Victoria. This speaker, who rejoices in the name of Suisted, said the chairman (O’Conor) was “ a perfect duffer.” Things at the meeting then brightened up a little, and members entered into the spirit of the affair with some abandonment. The question of a tender was provocative of much feeling. After some wrangling Mr Suisted said to the chairman : “ It is false ; you can’t speak the truth.”— The Chairman retorted ; “ 1 cannot expect you to speak the truth about these things.” —Mr Hughes; “Shame!” Mr Suisted : “ I say again sir, you cannot speak the truth.”—The Chairman said he would have an enquiry.—Mr Hughes; “We should have one on you. You are always in trouble, poor man.” —Mr O’Conor asked the last speaker if men who had been drinking at his place had got employment in preference to married men. — Mr Hughes: “ Shame on you ; you ought to be put out.”—Mr O’Couor : “ Vou’ll not put me out.”—Mr Hughes: “You ought to be scouted out of the town.”—Mr O’Conor: “ Ho you think you have a better hold of the town than me?”—Mr Hughes ; « You ought to be hunted out of the place.”—Mr O’Conor: “Now then, there are some things I can’t tolerate.” —Mr Hughes : “ Poor fellow, can’t you!”—The Chairman made some further remarks, and Mr Suisted, who seems to be able to express himself rather pointedly, said; “It is false.” —The barneying was continued in this strain for some time, when Mr Hughes relieved his mind by saying “ I’m disgusted.” Shortly after the meeting adjourned till 8 p.m., when the unfortunate chairman came in for more hard knocks, Messrs Bailie, Munson, Hughes, and Suisted taking part, the latter taking occasion to repeat “ It is false, sir,” to the chairman. Although the language used was considerably personal no breach of the peace took place, and after carrying a motion for a Government inquiry the meeting adjourned.