MR. SUTTON BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 818, 26 November 1878, Page 2

MR. SUTTON BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(I'HOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Napier, November 2G

The Theatre Royal was crowded last evening to hear Mr. Sutton, M.H.8., give an account of his stewardship. An advertisement appeared in this morning's papers signed by Mr. John Buchanan calling the Greyites to the front. At S o'clock both parties showpd up in full force. When the time arrived Mr. Suttow moved that Mr. Kennedy take the chair. Mr. Buchanan at once said that the meeting was intended to assume an importance and significance which had not been intended when first called, and concluded by moving that Mr. M'Dougall take the chair. This gave rise to a perfect tempest. There were loud cries for Kennedy and M'Dougall. Mr. Sutton came forward, and said that ho had called the meeting, and asked Mr. Kennedy to take the chair. After much noise" Mr. Buchanan again came forward and put it to the meeting whether Mr. M'Dougall or Mr. Kennedy should take the chair. On a show of hands being taken, three-fourths of the room voted for Mr. Kennedy, who then took the chair. Mr. Sutton then spoke for two hours, and at the conclusion of, and during his speech, he W&s loudly and rapturously applauded.

At the close oi' Mr. Sutton's speech, there were cries for Mr. Ri":s, who was on the platform. The following conclusion of the proceedings are from .the Herald of this morning : —" Mr. Roes then came forward in response to some calls. He was at first listened to with tolerable patience, but when it became apparent that he intended to,make a speech in reply to Mr. Sutton, he was not allowed to proceed. He was howled at, hissed, and interrupted with stamping of feet, but all to no purpose. There Mr. Rees ■stood,* determined to go on with his speech. He said that he could speak, as they probably knew, for 24 hours at' a stretch, and so they might judge whether he would be put down. In reply to an objection raised by the Chairman that Mr. Rees could not speak without submitting a motion, he said that he intended to move one, but would do so.at his own terms and price. Mr. Rees then attempted to continue his speech, but at every word he uttered there were howls. Mr. Sutton then came forward and said that he thought his friend, Mr. Rees, was pursuing a very unusual course. As representative of the district he- (Mr. Sutton) had called that meeting to give an explanation of his action in Parliament, and it was not in good taste of Mr. Rees, who did not represent the district, to obstruct the ordinary course of the meeting. Mr. Rees, however, persisted in continuing to speak ; but every word he said was drowned in hootings and other noises, with whieh he was assailed. After -this had gone on for some little time, a disposition was shown in the body of the meeting to bring matter's to a close by quitting the theatre. Then someone got up in the stails and moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Sutton, which was, however, drowned in the cheers of the crowd. Mr. Sutton came forward and bowed his thanks, and was again treated to round after round of cheers. The Chairman then quitted the chair, and the people began to disperse. Mr. Reas, however, continued standing in front, and waiting an opportunity of speaking to the few who were inclined to remain. Mr. Buchanan proposed that Mr. M'Dougall take the chair, and he did so, but at that moment the lights were put out, and so the meeting was brought to a close."