“WHO IS THIS?"

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 3 October 1905, Page 2

“WHO IS THIS?"

Mr Frank Phillips astonished tho members of the Legislative Council last week by rising aud "putting his spoke in.” During tbs discussion on the Eastbourne Borough Bill the Hon. J. E. Jenkinson moved to strike out the word" “Eastbourne ” and substitute the Maori name [Muritai. A discussion ensued as to the meaning of Muritai, and several members supplied tbe words “ sea breeze.” ; The interpreter to the Counoil, Mr Phillips, who sits next to Mr Mahutu, astonished everybody by rising and making a brief Bpeeoh to the effect that “ Muritai” -signified a peculiar kind of rat. - A more extreme breach of order than this oao .hardly.be imagined, but nobody objected, Further debate ensued, and tbe interpreter rose a second time and made a second speech. A little later he spoke a third time,, but this assault on tbe sacred traditions of the Council was too much for the Hon. G. MoLean, who rose and asked, “Who is this wo have, addressing the Council now ? ”

“It ia entirely out of order,” said the Chairman, and the interpreter, apparently still ignorant of the enormity of his crime, sat down with the unique distinction of beiog the only private individual in all history who ever made three speeohes in debate on the floor of Parliacce.it.—Post,