MR PYKE IN EXPLANATION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 960, 10 September 1880, Page 3

MR PYKE IN EXPLANATION.

(TO THE EDITOR OE THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES.) Sir, —Now that the public have had time to digest the elegant fictions which have been dished up to them under the title of “Extraordinary scene in the House,” I trust you will grant me space briefly to state my version of the tacts. Divested of “ all padding,” this is what occurred : —I was appointed “teller” of a division in Committee. After I had handed in my list my attention was called to the circumstance that tho member fo r Hokitika (Mr Seddon) had not voted, lu tho legitimate performance of my duty as “teller,” I reported the matter to the acting Chairman, Mr Kelly. Mr Kelly took no not'oo of my report, but proceeded to tho next item of tho Estimates. I again directed his attention to the fact that Mr Seddon had not voted. Then Mr Kelly called on Mr Seddon to record his vote, and Mr Seddon jocularly replied, “ Oh ! 1 vote against Mr Pyke.” AVhereupon Air Kelly said, “ I shall record tho vote with the noos.” I pointed out that there was no vote before tho Committee of “Mr

Pyk°.” ami I was proceeding to call Mr Kelly’s attention to the Standing Orders, which prescribe that members must give iheir voices with the “Ayes” or the

"No s” when a violent clamour arose on my left amon ;st the supporters of the Go- \ l—uncut, who tried to drown ray voice, an 1 did most effectually drown the voice of the acting Chairman, with shouts of “Sit down 1” and discordant yells, accompanied by the stamping of feet. To them I turned round and said, “ I will not sit down,” and I again essayed to address tho Chair. 1 may mention parenthetically that during this turbulent scene I resumed my seat four times, and only rose again when I found that Mr Kelly would not do his duty by calling on Mr Seddon to say bow be gave his vote on the division. Finding it then impossible to obtain either a hea dug from the Committee, orattention from Mr Kelly I moved “That ihe Chairman do leave the chair and report the matter to the Speaker”; and Mr Kelly left the chair of his own accord for the purpos", as I supposed, of making such report. He did not do so, however, but reported instead that I had refused to obey tho Chair. Mr Kelly’s voice is so extremely weak, and tho din was so great, that it is possible I may not have hoard him upon some occasion, but I am disposed to think otherwise. However that may be, my amazement was great when I suddenly found my position changed from that of plaintiff to that of defendant by the very tribunal jwhoso judgment I had myself evoked. Under the circumstances I declined to make any apology, 1 felt that I had merely discharged my duty as teller, in doing which I ought to have hail the support of tho acting Chairman. On the following morning I learned that Mr Kelly has taken, as addressed to him self, my refusal to sit down at the demand of the noisy members on my left. That being understood, the explanation was easy to me and satisfactory to the House, a large majority of the members of which were aud are prepared to endorse my statement.

As to the dramatised version of the scene in the gallery, 1 can only say that it has been very highly colored. No angry words passed between myself and the Sergeant-at arms—in fact, we were both smiling throughout—nor did ha make any physical demonstration, nor nse the ungentlemanly language which has been attributed to him. and it must be remembered that the conversation between us was carried on in undertones- -quite inaudible in the House, and it theioforo forms no part of the “ scone ” Such are the facts. I make no comment. I am content to allow the public to judge who was to blame an the matter.—l am, &c , Vincent Fyke. Dunedin, September sth.