AN ELECTION MEETING IN VICTORIA,

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2294, 24 July 1880, Page 3

AN ELECTION MEETING IN VICTORIA,

At the meeting of Messrs Carter and Harris’s supporters (says the “ Argus ”) at the Prahan Town Hall there was one of the most disgraceful exhibitions of rowdyism that has ever been witnessed in Victor a About an hour before the time announced for the holding of the meeting, the hall was rushed by a disorderly mob of men and boys, who yelled and roared inside and outside the hall, and created a perfect pandemonium, The hall, including the gallery, was crowded to suffocation, and it is estimated that there was not less than 1,200 persons present. The Mayor of the town took the chair, and attempted to address the meeting. It was evident, however,from the outset that there was present an organised band of boo-hooers, who were determined to prevent any freedom of speech. These formed about one-fourth of the audience, but they created such a deafening uproar that it was perfectly impossible for any speaker to be heard. Sergeant Parkintea, .with. ten.policemen, took a position in the body of the hall, and succeeded in turning out two or three of the most demonstrative members of the gang ; but they were overwhelmed by numbers, and although they displayed great calmness and courage, it was simply impossible for them to maintain order. The candidates several times attempted to address the meeting,but their voices were drowned in a perfect chorus of yells and groans, mingled with cheers for Berry, and groans for Service and the candidates. Several of the occupants of the gallery displayed placards bearing the inscription “Vote for A’Beckett and Chapman.” Several gentlemen on the platform then displayed placards asking the electors to vote for Carter and Harris. These were received with a chorus of cheers, yells, and groans, and such a deafening uproar was created that anyone outside of the hall might well have imagined that the inmates of the Yaira Bend and Kew Lunatic Asylums had been suddenly let loose. Several fights took place in the centre of the hall, and the police in their efforts to remove the combatants were hustled about, aud xxarnowly escaped being thrown down and trampled upon. . The disturbance culminated in the rushing of the platform, when several of the benches were smashed, and the meeting was dissolved by the chairmanMessrs Carter and Harris then adjourned to an hotel, where they addressed about 200 of their supporters.