BLOWS FOLLOW HEATED WORDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 January 1931, Page 4

BLOWS FOLLOW HEATED WORDS

AT UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

MR LEADLEY AND MR ECROYD (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Heated words were exchanged by W. F. Leadley, a member of the Unemployment Board, and R. J. Ecroyd, a member of the Christchurch Unemployment Committee, and Leadley struck Ecroyd a fairly heavy blow, knocking him down. At a later period the two had further words, and again Leadley struck Ecroyd a blow on the face. Leadley is 46 years of age and Ecroyd is 64. The disturbance took place when members of the Unemployment Committee were assembling for a meeting. Leadley was talking to Councillor J. W. Beanland when he saw Ecroyd going up stairs. They confronted each other on the first landing. The dispute which caused the disturbance arose out of the report which appeared in last Tuesday’s issue of the “Press” of remarks made at a meeting of the Unemployment Committee on 29th December. To Leadley was attributed the remark that “there was nothing surer than that the levy would be increased by the next session of Parliament.” Later Leadley said: “Probably I made a mistake. Well, I am very sorry.” Ecroyd said he had a reputation for truthfulness and wanted to keep it. Leadley: I am very sorry that there nas been a misunderstanding and I am sorry I lost my temper; but no man has called me a “damned liar” without my doing the same thing, and you must admit you are wrong. Ecroyd: A man cannot be wrong in telling the truth. If I am wrong I am prepared to apologise. If I am right I expect you to apologise to me. Ecroyd was approached by Leadley. “Will you accept my apologv?” said Leadley. “I lost my temner.” Ecroyd: “I want an apology and the withdrawal of your remarks.” _ Leadley explained what he said at the previous Monday’s meeting,_ and remarked that when he said that the Board could not pay sustenance Ecroyd said: “Then something will have to be done to increase income,” to which he (Leadley) said: “Sure thing.” Ecroyd : No ! No ! Leadley: I guarantee that any man in the room will confirm that. If I had not such a clear recollection of it I would apologise in a minute. Ecroyd: The trouble is that while you could deny it, why throw it on to me? T , Leadley: Because you said it. i wanted to point out that I did not make the original statement. Ecroyd: You should have said I didn’t make the statement” and left it at that.