SYDNEY'S LITTLE WAY.

Waikato Times, Issue 12188, 25 September 1911, Page 4

SYDNEY'S LITTLE WAY.

SCENES IN CITY COUNCIL.

VITUPERATIVE ALDERMEN,

LORD MAYOR'S BIG BEERS

The Parliament of New South Wales apparently has not a monopoly of the privilege of creating scenes and disturbances.

The Sydney City Council has been apeing the manners of its " betters" and has m<ude a really promising excursion into the muddy by-paths of vituperative debate. Last week the Council was discussing certain proposals relating to street widening when Alderman A. M'Elhone, who was .opposing a motion, introduced a personal element into the debate by saying that people/ were commenting on the council's exceptionally favourable treatment in this matter of a friendly society with which one of the aldermen was connected. Alderman Clarke interjected a remark to the effect that he believed that Alderman M'Elhone was a shareholder in firms which tendered for municipal works, but his brother alderman flung the accusation in his teeth. " It's a lie' he declared, " and a dirty one at that." Apparently Alderman Clarke was quite unperturbed, anh calmly went on to mention the name of a company to which he had all u'led ''l don't own a shares 'in that company," veiled Alderman M'Elhone, adding, a repetition of liis previous pointed' denial. Alderman Clarke interjected some remark concerning " a dirty thing," and the incident appeared to be at an end when Alderman Davoren intervened and added fuel to the fire. " If you called me a liar," he said to Alderman M'Elhone, " I would hit you if you were big enough." " I aim not as big as you are by a" long chalk," came the ready reply. " but lam game to taK.e you on. You would not fiirht anyone ; vou would only tackle a big bear paid for by the Lord Mayor." "If yon were big enough I would pull your nose," Alderman Davoren retorted, and some members of the council were looking worried and anxious when the Lord Mayor intervened and called Alderman M'Elhone to order. Alderman Clarke made a little explanation, adding that he did not think it fair that an a'derm an should call a brother alderman a li ar > and the Lord Mayor gave a rather belated assurance of his intention to preserve order.

Apparently Sydnov has learned l to expect boisterous displays of feeling from its municipal politicians as well as from the gentlemen who are fng-agied in another sphere of public activity.