SCENES IN THE TASMANIAN ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3611, 18 September 1874, Page 3

SCENES IN THE TASMANIAN ASSEMBLY.

In the Tasmanian Assembly on Friday, August 28, several disgraceful scenes took places, which are but imperfectly reported in the Hobart Town papers. In the first Mr Charles Meredith, who had charge of the Lands Department in the lanes Ministry, was the principal actor. Mr Meredith : My notice of motion stands on the papers of the House, and when it comes on for discussion you may depend upon it I’ll bring you (looking towards Ministers) to book. Mr Douglas : It will need to be a big book. An altercation at once commenced, the first of which was, with difficulty, heard in the reporters’ gallery ; when Mr Meredith, rising excitedly from his seat, went across the floor to the table at which Mr Douglas was writing, and raising his hand, as if to catch the sound, said—“ What do you say, sir 'I ” J Mr Douglas ; ’Twill need to be a big book to hold all the stuff you say. Some more sotto voce conversation took place; when ere^t^l sa id : I suppose you would like to give me a slap in the face, as you did Gregson. Mr Douglas : I’ll treat you, or anyone else who insults me, as they deserve. Mr Meredith, advancing again to the table, from which he had retreated : If I had you outside, I would give you a smash in the face.

Mr Douglas: No, you would not. The Speaker’, amid cries of “ Order!” called on Mr Meredith to resume hifseat. Meredith : You’ll find you haven’t an old man to deal with. The Speaker; Mr Meredith will please take his seat. Mr Meredith : I’ll give you something you’ll remember. Mr Douglas : You dare not say that outside. Mr Meredith : I will. Mr Douglas : Well, then, come out. Mr Meredith (resuming his seat) : Who are you?—ad— d pettifogging lawyer! Mr Douglas : And you ? You live on the public. Mr Lette said something which was inaudible in the confusion of the moment, the cries of “ order ” and hubbub caused by the altercation rendering portions of what was said unintelligible. The House then proceeded to the orders of the day, and no further notice appears to have been taken of the matter. Mr Balfe was the hero of the other disturbance, and his language was apperently so disgraceful that the ‘ Mercury’ refrained from reporting it. It comments on the affair as follows : The attack that Mr Balfe made on the hon. member for West Hobart was not more outrageous than unwarranted. Had it not been that the member for South Launceston so completely lost all command of his temper, it might have been thought that the insult was premeditated, for it has been subject of common remark that the member for South Launceston has been ever on the watch seeking opportunity of offence against the member for West Hobart, whose ever arising to address the House has had pretty much the same effect on Mr Balfe that the shaking of a red rag is said to have on a bull. Mr Gray’s remarks yesterdiy afforded not a shadow of pretext for the low blackguardism with Mr Balfe assailed him, and we only wish that Mr Gray had all through maintained that good humor that enabled him at first to laugh at the torrent of abuse that Mr Balfe spewed out.”