The Row at the Imperial Institute.

Manawatu Herald, 19 December 1896, Page 3

The Row at the Imperial Institute.

A short time ago we learnt from the cablegrams that there had been a row at the Imperial Institute. Late English files give fuller particulars. It appears that the Olofo made a discovery the other day, that Mr David Draper, secretary of the S. African Geologioal Survey, though nominally an Englishman, and actually claims to be one by birth and education, ie, as a matter of fact,

• renegade who fought for the Boers *againat Dr Jameson and his gallant followers, who joined the paradt of an insulting Dutchman after Krugersdorp, and who openly flaunted his loaded rifle in the face of defenceless men and women in the streets of Johannesburg. It was, therefore, but natural that the announcement that the individual was to deliver a lecture at the Imperial Institute on ••The Auriferous Conglomerates of South Africa " should provoke much indignant protest on the part of .a large section of the members of the Institute. It was, indeed, apparent L*ftrly in the evening, when the Fel-

lows began to arrive, that a scene of I disorder was anticipated. Muoh ex eitement prevailed, when the chairMr H. C. Richards, M.P., accompanied by the lecturer and his friends, entered the Conference Hall they were greeted with a storm of indignation almost unparalleled. A large proportion of the assembly hissed and hooted; others shouted | Traitor and " Renegade " at the top of their voices ; while the remainder cheered and clapped their hands. This was continued while Mr Richards and the lecturer proceeded to the platform ; and although the chairman rose to introduce Mr Draper, he was unable to obtain a hearing for five or ten minutes. Mr Draper then proceeded to read his paper, amid constant interruption. He bad a nervous accent, and read in a low tone of voice. For the most part his remarks were unheard, and during the whole time there were animated discussions going on in various parts of the room. Mr j Draper, notwithstanding the interruption, prooeeded rapidly with the reading of his paper, "while at the same time the chairman was threatening to have those who interrupted expelled from the meeting. The paper took about an hoar and a half to read ; and during a violent scene Sir F. Abel, a director of the institute, went and spoke to the chairman, who rose and said be had direct instructions from the authorities to ask that Mr Draper should be allowed to conclude. Amid some excitement, Mr W. Eraden, L.0.0., began to address the meeting; but for a time his remarks were inaudible. Someone called out :— " Go to the platform," and he was proceeding there, when he was stopped by some officials, a number of whom had during the reading of the paper, been placed on each side of the platform. Mr Emdea said he believed that the institute was started with the idea of imperialisiug and joining together England and her colonies. (Cheers.) The institute was not started for purposes of disintegration. (Renewed disorder.) The institute ought never to have been made use of for the reading of a paper of that description. (Cheers )— Mr Hart said they had heard a great deal about conglomerates, and he wanted to know what sort of conglomerate that persen was who called himself an Englishman and took up arms against his countrymen. (Great disorder, hissing, clapping of hands, and cheering ) The meeting became most excited, and in the uproar a gentleman was seen waving the Union Jack, and this was the signal for a tremendous outburst of cheering. This caused further violent scenes, whereupon Mr Richards declared the meeting at an end. Cheers were then raised for the British Empire and Dr Jameson, while the Union Jack waved over the heads of members, most of whom, as they retired, were engaged in a heated discussion.