A Violent Scene

Levin Daily Chronicle, 27 March 1917, Page 3

A Violent Scene

■ ♦ MAYOR AND FARMER: At a meeting held in Carterton on Wednesday night to discuss niatteis concerning wheat planting in x t''ne coming season, there was a violent scone. According to the local paper, Mr. F. C. Court, of Waihakeke, one of the most successful wheat-growers in the district, was invited by the mayor to address the meeting. Mr. Court opened by saying that lie .had a few grievances to air before ho stated his intentions regarding wheatgrowing.. Last year he grew 4000 bushels of wheat, and when he got it to Carterton railway station to truckit he found that there were neither trucks nor sheets, though both had been ordered in ample time, and had been promised him. This did not occur only once, but it. continually occurred, and others had had the same experience as himself. Then on top of this the Carterton Borough Council passed a traction engine by-law, and he stigmatised this as "a Germanmade by-law." It prohibited traction engines from going through the main street of Carterton, and forced them to go round the back roads, the extra journey raising the cost of hauling about 2s 6d or 3s per ton. This was how the Mayor of Carterton and his "German-made by-law" assisted the farmer in growing wheat.

Mr. Court continued his tirade against the mayor and his "Germanmade by-law" until the mayor called him to order. Mr. Court stated that he was on his feet and was going to have his say. The Mayor: This must stop; you will resume your seat, please. Mr. Court: 1 am on my feet, and will stay here. The Mayor: You will resume your seat at once. Gentlemen (addressing the meeting): I ask you to see that the chair is supported. Mr. Court: 1 wo'n't sit down; 1 .want to expose you and your "German made by-law." The Mayor (.rising to his feet): If you dare insinuate that I have any German sympathies, and asserted that outside this room, you would hear more about it. Mr. Court: Would U So would you about your "German-made bylaw." The Mayor: It is not a "Gormanmade" by-law. iMr Court: It is. The Mayor: You're a liar. Mr .Court: So are you. The I.May or sprang towards Mr. Court with arm uplifted to strike, Mr .Court took up a pugilistic attitude, and Councillor James Callister jumped over the backs of the opposing forms and thrust himself between the two angry men. The Mayor (resuming his seat): The blackguard 1 ' Mr. Humphrey Callister announced in loud tones that he supported the chair, and assenting murmurs arose in other parts of the room. >he Mayor (to Mr. Court):. It > f J !l den't resume your seal; immediately I will send for the policc, and We i forcibly removed from the metting. < Mr Court resumed his 6eat, an.-l ti." nieetinpf proceeded.