DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN THE NEW SOUTH WALES ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1297, 16 May 1878, Page 3

DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN THE NEW SOUTH WALES ASSEMBLY.

(From the Sydney “Echo,” April 27.) A scene of unusual excitement occurred in the Legislative Assembly about half-past one o’clock this morning, which, for coarse violence, is without a parallel in the history of our “representative” chamber. The debate yesterday was upon Mr Gray’s motion for the construction of a railway to lllawarra, and from the outset Mr M'Klhone characterised the proposal as a “ swindle,” and in other language more forcible than polite—language which, however much it may be at variance with the rules supposed to govern Parliamentary debate, has, unfortunately for the colony, ceased to occasion any surprise and little concern in the Legislative Assembly, The excitement of the hon, member for the Upper Hunter culminated when the hon. member (supposing that Mr Gray had said that he had “disgraced” the Chamber) sprang across the floor of the House, and with clenched fist and menacing attitude, threatened to knock Mr Gray’s head off, Mr Charles, who was sitting behind the hon. member for lllawarra, interposed, whereupon Mr M'filhone invited that hon. gentleman also to go outside and have his head “punched.” The hon. member paced backwards and forwards between the cross benches and tie door of the chamber in a state of frantic eicitement, exclaiming with great vehemence that he would “punch” the heads of the nembers for lllawarra and Kiama, and he w(uld “thrash” these gentlemen, and so forth, at the same time accompanying his words vith menacing gestures. The following is tin report from the “ Herald”: —

Mr McElhone called attention to the way in which this motion was attempted to be passed that night. Mr Lynch who was op posed to this motion, was paired off with Mr Johnstone, who was also opposed to it. The conduct of Mr Gray, the hon. member in charge of this motion, in making this disreputable pair, was enough to turn every honest man in that House from supporting a motion that was attempted to be carried in such a way. Again, Mr Beyers was opposed to this vote, and all sorts ot influence had been brought to bear against him to prevent him giving a conscientious vote. Another member of that House who was opposed to this motion, when the matter was brought forward before, was shown that the railway would go through his 60 acres, and there would be a station-house upon it, and ho turned round and voted for the motion.

Mr Gray said Mr Lynch had made the pair with a full knowledge of what he was doing, and he was as well able to take care of himself as the hon. member for the Upper Hunter. Ho had never been compelled to stand there in the light of day and confess that he had told a lie to put one Government out and get another Government in. Mr M'Elhone—l would do the same again to-morrow. [Considerable interruption hero took place, and an altercation took place between Mr Terry and Mr M'Elhone, in the course of which Mr Terry was understood to say, “ Mr M'Elhone, what you say is a lie.”] Mr M'Elhone—You are a liar, and if you will come outside I will punch your head. [Mr M'Elhone advanced towards Mr Terry in a threatening attitude. Cries of “ Order,” “ Chair.”] Mr Terry—l do not want to have any* thing to do with you, [Renewed cries of “ Order.'H Mr M'Elhooe—He has called me a liar j X wiUpuaoh his head again.

Mr Driver—The hon. member is clearly out of order. He ought not only to withdraw the expression, but he ought to apologise to the committee.

Mr M'Elhone—l will not apologise or withdraw. If he comes outside I will punch his head. Mr Gray—l am sorry that such a scene should have occurred. We have had many scenes of disorder in this House before, but we never had such a scene as this before the hon. member for the Upper Hunter graced this chamber.

Mr M'Elhone—lf you tell me that again I will knock |your head off [walking towards the hon. member in a threatening manner. Several hon. members rose to their feet, and Mr Charles stepped in between Mr M'Elhone and Mr Gray, and laid his hand on the hon, member’s shoulder. Mr M’Elhone roughly dashed it away.] Several hon. members —“ Order, order.” Mr Driver—Will the hon. member take his seat ?

Mr M’Elhone to Mr Gray and Mr Charles —Come outside both of you, and I will pnnch your heads. Mr Fitzpatrick—This is intolerable, and must be stopped. I call attention to the presence of strangers in the chamber. Sir Henry Parkes and others—“ Do not do that.” Mr Macintosh—This must not continue. There will be murder done.

Mr Shepherd rose to a point of order, but was met with cries of “Chair.” “ The hon. member for Illawarra is in possession of the chair.”

Mr M'Elhone continued to threaten Mr Gray and Mr Charles, saying, “ Come outside, and I will show you.” “I will punch your head, you and your brother-in-law.” [The hon. member walked to the door of the antechamber inviting the two hon. members referred to to follow him and fight.] Mr Shepherd—l wish to state—(Cries of “ Chair,” “ Let him apologise.”) Mr M'Elhone—l will apologise at once. Mr Driver—

Sir John Robertson—Oh, oh. Mr M'Elhone—Then I will not apologise. If the two members will come outside I will thrash the pair of them. Mr Fitzpatrick again called attention to the presence of strangers. Sir Henry Parkes hoped the hon, member would not take that course. Why should the outrage be known, and what they did to vindicate themselves not be known P

Mr Fitzpatrick—Because we take no steps to vindicate ourselves.

The galleries were then cleared, and the reporters had to leave.] After the lapse of nearly an hour and a half the reporters were admitted. The House was then discussing what action should be taken. The House agreed to the resolution that the hon. member was guilty of contem pt. Mr M'Elhone was induced, with considt rable difficulty, to admit the right of the House to demand a humble apology; but felt no difficulty in apologising as a man and a member for what he had done. He denied that he had clenched his fist. The apology being deemed satisfactory, the hon. member was released from his contempt.