AN INDIGNANT RATEPAYER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2414, 11 December 1880, Page 2

AN INDIGNANT RATEPAYER.

At Invercargill the other clay a North Invercagill ratepayer, named Peter Ross, was prosecuted by the Mayor for obstructing a meeting of the Borough Council. The fracas, it appeared, had arisen through the Mayor addressing Ross as a “ conncillor,” by mistake, and Ross becoming exceedingly angry and abusive in consequence. About twenty witnesses having been examined for the prosecution, the defendant gave his version. He said that he went to the door behind another man, who, seeing 1

the Mayor “gloomin’’ at him, drew back. He asked him if he was feart,” and throwing himself into the breach marched in. The noise made by the tread was a consequence of a pair of heavy boots, which ho bad not laced up. The Mayor “ gloomed ” at him while he was proceeding to his seat. He thought it was because ho and a neighbor had been writing to the papers. The Mayor “ keeked ”at him round the lamp on the table “fora catch.” He (Ross) did not make more row than other “ folk” as they all “boo’d, an’ ’issed, and grunted ” when they heard the “shuttle” of works read. He would not have made a noise had the Mayor not kept “aye tigtaggiug ” at him. He went to the Council meetings because there was some “ tiddly winking ” going on, and the Councillors wanted watching. If he had been called “Mr ” he would have been “ ordered,” but to be called a “Councillor” was a “real insult.” Anderson, who was beside him, was deaf, and he was speaking so that he could hear, and not with any intention of disturbing the Council. Wm. Anderson said he tried to keep Ross quiet.—To Mr Russell: he (Anderson was not deaf. He grunted when the others grunted. His Worship said the offence had been clearly proved. The defendant’s evidence alone was sufficient to do so, and the defence should have been stopped when he had given his evidence. The penalty imposed was ill, and £3 7s costs.