HUMOROUS EPISODE AT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2731, 10 May 1924, Page 4

HUMOROUS EPISODE AT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING.

INVASION 01’’ PRESSMEN. AN ELECTRICAL ATMOSPHERE. A tense and electrical atmosphere pervaded the gathering of the Xe Aroha Boi’ough Council on \\ udnesday evening last, says the “News.” This was partly occasioned by the rumours in circulation during the day in Te Aroha that an attempt was to be made to resurrect old feuds and that all the local representatives of the Auckland and district journals had been specially invited to be present to witness the onslaught. That Dame Rumour whispers, on this occasion, had some justification, was soon evident, instead of the Council assembling with its usual good humour and the staid and dignified decorum that becomes the city fathers and the usual-soli-tary reporter, there were no less than live pressmen present keenly expectant of the alleged coining big scrap. As the reporters started to gather one member facetiously asked of a late comer, “Did you see the municipal Band comings!” Another asked, “What are they coming for!”

Pat came the reply: ”1 " play ‘The Conquering Hero.”’ As one of the press repre-ema-lives was particular!\ late, amidst smiles —and must it lie admitted, a few sly winks —an extra chair had to be found. This little interlude called the attention of the Council to the fact that three of the reporters as they sat in a row were without the usual facility of a table. Hi> Worship the Mayor, with his evident keen appreciation of the whole position, rose and gave a very warm and delightful welcome to the reporters. He said Hint Councillors might well ask when they looked at such a large attendance of press representatives, what moans this eager, anxious throng? He trusted that the meeting would provide the reporters with the “copy” that no doubt they were present expecting. Ho could see tho possibility of a fine advertisement for To Aroha. The Mayor’s speech was received with considerable merriment by a. large section of the Council. Much to the disappointment of the galaxy of pressmen the promised “copy” for which they had gathered was not forthcoming. The meeting, which was of a very formal and routine nature, closed particularly early, at 0.15 p.m.