A RIOTOUS MEETING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8810, 11 May 1907, Page 4

A RIOTOUS MEETING.

The' lato Cantain *Jackson Barry, '■who died in Ohristchurch last week, was Mayor of Crormvell about 40 years ago. During his occupancy of the Mayoral chair he paid a visit to Dnnedin, and during his absence the Council passed a vote of censure on him. On his return the usual Council meeting was held, and the hall was packed with ratepayers, for thov expected the captain would afford "them some fun over the vote of censure business—and he did. He made a speech in which he commented freely upon- the censure motion Then the Councillors started to wrangle Being unable to obtain order Barry ordered the spectators to withdraw, told the clerk to lock the door and give him the key. In the lato Captain's own words:—"The row among the Councillors still continued, so I told the clerk to clear away the furniture, and we would have it out. At this stage two of the Councillors fell to fisticuffs, one of them cryiug out that if there was any fighting to be done he was about. Seeing this was the man who proposed the vote of censure, I stepped up and knocked him down. Two of the other councillors leaped through the window. Finding matters had gone boyond my control I opened the door and the j'rest appeared to retreat. '' , Next day Barry appeared before the- Court and was fined for assault. The old man quaintly concluded his version of the matter in these words:—'' Considering the turbulent times and the unruly people ono had to deal with, I still think I took the proper courso, if a forcible ono, of putting my councillors straight.''