The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1894. A LIVELY MEETING.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 39, 13 November 1894, Page 2

The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1894. A LIVELY MEETING.

We reprint the proceedings of the South Egmoat Conservators' Board meeting, held at Kaponga, from the Waimate Witness, and it appears to have been a shade sultry. The chairman, Mr P. S. Canning, had his warpaint on, and gave his fellow members a taste of his quality. Mr JHurley has been appointed a member of. the Board, and is also accredited with being the Manaia correspondent of the Hawera Star. An article appeared in that paper some little time since, hauling the Board oyer the coals for want of ''go," which apparently got Mr Canning's " dander " up, and brought forth extremely irate remarks from him, concluding with describing the said correspondent as a puppy. This remark was resented by the more respectable members of the Board, and in due course was withdrawn. The discussion continued, and Mr Canning described a statement made as being false, to which Mr Hurley took exception, stating unless the objectionable remarks were withdrawn he must decline to sit ou the Board with Mr Canning. The other members upheld Mr Hurley's objection, and Mr Canning withdrew the remark and apolo-

glsed for having used it, but stated bia willingness to repeat it in the yard. We can imagine Messrs Forsyth, Heslop and Co's feelings at being placed in such an unenviable position, accustomed •as they have been to local bodies where ordinary gentlemanly courtesy has been the ruling power. We understand Mr Canning, as well as being Chairman of the Conservators' Board, is also one of the great unpaid, being a J.P. How far, we should like to know, is a deliberate offer to create a breach of the peace, in keeping with the office of a J.P. ? If the case as reported be correct we think the Government should hold an enquiry into the chairman's conduct, and take action thereon. We have heard it reported that a revision of the Justices' roll was to take place so as to excise the names of those who cannot read and write, and we thiuk whilst they are about it they might also excise the names of all aspirants to the pugilistic ring.