Amenities among Councillors.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 229, 31 March 1874, Page 3

Amenities among Councillors.

The following account of a scene in the Huntly Shire Council, between the Secretary and Councillor Slade, from a late Beud'ujo Advertiser, is worthy of an American township. Some words having occurred over the opening of the tenders, Councillor Slade said there was a lot of dodgery in connection with this matter. The Secretary asked if he charged him with dodgery, and Councillor Slade said he (the Secretary) could take it if he liked, and wound up his harangue by calling the Secretary a coward. This was the last straw, flesh and blood could stand no no more ; and, rising from his scat, the Secretary excitedly walked over to Councillor Slade, muttering, 'You call me a coward, do yon ?' Councillor Slade rose from his seat, and in an instant the two closed, and a tussle took place. Then they separated, and squared at each other, each lunging out as opportunity offered to damage his opponent's face. Again they closed, and now the other councillors interfered, and separated them. Councillor O'Keefe held the Secretary hack ; and, while the Secretary was thus held, Councillor Slade dashed at him and struck him a heavy blow in the chest. The Secretary threw Councillor O'Keefe out of the way, and rushed at Councillor Slade, whose head he succeeded in getting under one arm, and punched away at it with the other. From this awkward position Councillor Slade managed to extricate himself, and with head down made a rush and a butt, at the same ! time catching him by the legs with the object of thus obtaining his overthrow. This sudden manoeuvre nearly succeeded, and the Secretary was thrown back against the wall near j the reporters' table, which wa3 instantly reI moved by the reporter. . Having the support of the wall, the Secretary kept pummelling away at Councillor Shade's head until unexpectedly, and from no apparent cause, j both went down together. Then Councillor ! O'Koofe again interfered and separated them, and the reason of the fall was discovered, for Councillor Slade held in his hand the half of the. Secretary's beard, which he had pulled out bv the roots. He threw it down, and the Secretary picked it up, remarking, ' That's the way the cowardly fellow tights ; he won't stand up like a man.' This concluded the scene. Councillor Slade resumed his seat, and was quiet for the rest of the meeting, and the Secretary proceeded with I the next business."