PORRIDGE AS MISSILE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9386, 4 March 1909, Page 6

PORRIDGE AS MISSILE.

There were lively scones at a meeting of the Rathdown Board of Guardians recently. Mr M. O’Donnell, a member, complained of a report of a previous meeting, which was printed in a local newspaper as “lying and blackguardly,” and calculated -to make him appear “ridiculous and idiotic.** The reporter of the journal in_ question, by permission of the chairman, asked Mr O’Donnell to ?indicate the passages which he complained of, but Mr O’Donnell refused, and objected to reporters being allowed to speak at a meeting. The chairman took advantage of the opportunity to protest against the publication of a letter in the same journal, in which the nuns in charge of the workhouse were described as “a hand of proselytisers having their headquarters in Rome.” Later on the chairman called Mr Isaac Jones to order, and protested against that gentleman’s alleged habit of insulting guardians in debate. Mr O’Doenell intervened, and said that Mr Jones had insulted him, and added that if ho did it again be would “fire him through the door.” Mr Jones: Get away now,, or I’ll pnll yonr long tooth (laughter).- This remark appeared to excite Mr O’DonJ nell very much ; be tnrned suddenly to a bench where samples of the workhouse dietary were arranged for inspection, and, taking a handful of porridge, threw it in Mi Jones* face, shouting, ‘‘you old leprechaun !” A scene of great confusion followed, but Mr O’Donnell was presented from doing farther violence. .