DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN THE NEW SOUTH WALES ASSEMBLY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 122, 23 May 1878, Page 4

DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN THE NEW SOUTH WALES ASSEMBLY.

[From the Sydney Echo, April 27. "j A scene of unusual excitement occurred in the Lasislativn Assembly about half-past one o'clock this mornIng, which, for eoarso violence is without, a pnrallel in the history of our " r?presfint-itive chamber." The debate yesterday was upon Mr Gray's motion for the construction of a railway to IMawaara, and from the outset Mr M'Elbone characterised the proposal bs a " swindle," and in other language more forcible than polite — laneuasre which, however much it may be at variance wiih the rules supposed to govern parliamentary debate, ha?, unfortunately for ihe colony, ceased to occasion nny aurpriso and little concern in the Legislative Assern'< ly. The excifempnt of the hon. member for the Upper Hunter culminated" when the hon. member (supposing that Mr Gray bad said that he had " disgraced " the Chamber) sprang across the floor of the House, and wsfh cienehod fist am! menacing attitude, threatened to knock Mr Gray's head off. Mr Charles, who was sitting behind the hon. membor for Illawarra interposed, whereupon Mr M'Elbone invited the hon. gentleman also to po outside and have his bead 4< punched." The hon. member paced hHck wards and forwards between the cross benches and the door of the Chamber in a state of frantic excitement, exclaiming with great vehemence that he would " imnch " the heads of the members for Ilia warra and Ki»mo, a d h« wouii " thraah " ihps9

gentlemen, and so forth, at the some time accompanying his words with menacing gestures. The following is the report from the " Herald " :— - ~ Mr M'Elhone cilled attention to the way in which this motion was attempted to be passed that night. Mr Lynch, who was opposed to ibis motion was paired off with Mr Johnstoce, who was also opposed to it Ths conduct of Mr Gray, the hon. member in chnrge of this motion, in making this disreputable pair, was enough to lurn every honest man in that House from supporting a motion that was attempted to be curried in such a way. Again, Mr Beyers was opposed to this vote, and all sorts of influence had been brought to bear against his giving a conscientious vote. Another member of that House who wn3 opposed to this motion, when the matter wa 8 brought forward before, was shown, that the railway would go through his sixty acres, and that there would bo a station-houae upon it, an I he turned round and voted for the motion. Mr Gray said Mr Lynch had vo»'el for the motion with a full knowledge of what he was doing, and he was well able to take care of himself as the hon. member for the Upper Hunter. He bad never bean compelled to stand there in the light of day and confess that be had told a lie to put one Government out and" get another Government in. Mr M'Elhons— l would do the same again to-morrow. [Considerable interruption hare took place, and an altercation took place between Mr Terry and Mr M'Elhons, in the couisj of which Mr Terry was understood to

say, " Mr M'Elhone, what you say ie a 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 anything to do with you. [Renewed cries of " Order."] Mr M'Elhone— He has called me a liar; I will punch 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'Elhooe— 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 Bcenes of disorder in this House before, but we never hid such a scent* us this before the hon member for the Upper Hunter graced this chamber. Mr M'Elhone— lf you tell me that agaiu I will knock your head off [walking towards the hon member in a threatening manner. Several hon. members ro3o 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'Eihone roughly dashed it away ] Several hon. members — " Order, order." Mr Driver — Will the hon member take his seal? Mr M'Elhone to Mr Gray and Mr Clia-les — Come outside both of you, and I will punch your heals. Mr Filzpatrick — This is intolerable

and musi, be stop p fr f] . I call attention (o the presence of strainers iu she chtunber. Sir Henry Parkr-s !>n>! oshi-rs — t{ Do not do dial." Mr Macintosh — This must not continue, Theie will bo murder done. Mr Hhephen] roso to a point of order,' but was met with cries) of " Chair." " The hon. member for Iliawarra is in possession of the chsir " Mr M'Elhone con!uvip<] (o threaten Mr Grey and Mr Ch;uk>F, eayinp, " Come rut side mid I will show you." " I will punch your h<arl, you and your brother-in-law." [The hon, member walked to tho door of the nntechh-mber inviting tho two hon. mr-mhera referred lo follow him end fi;iht ] Mr Shepherd— l wish to stfife — (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 liO t apologise. If the two rnombeia will come outside I will thrnsh the pair of them. Mr Fiizpntiiek a»niu enlUd attention to i be presence of s!,ns::<jers. Sir Henry Pa-lcja hoped the lion, member would not tf.ka thnt course. Why should the ouirage ba known, and what they did to vindicate themselves not be known ? Mr Fiizjatric.k — B ceuse wo take no steps to vimil-'ale ourselves. The giill- ri:->M were then clearori, aud the reporters had lo leave. After ihejaps9 of nearly au hour and a half. the reporters were admitted. The House wr,s thon iliac ussing what action should bo ihkau. The House agreed to the ivsoimion Unit, t!u; bon. member was guilty of eot-tempt, Mr M'Eliione wun induce;.!, will considorable difficulty, to admit tlj^ ri^lit of tho Houss to riei.-wm ) a humble apology, but felt no difii-.:uky in apologising us a man uu ! a n;;mhcr f;r wi-ut he hud done, lie chuiud ihai- ho had clenuhed his Gst. 'I ho apol. gy being deemed Buiiefsctory, the hon. member was released Irom his cosnempr.