MR WAKEFIELD AT TEMUKA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2415, 13 December 1880, Page 2

MR WAKEFIELD AT TEMUKA.

Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.R. for Geraldine, had a bad two hours at Temuka on Saturday evening. A meeting of his constituents was convened in the Volunteer Hall, and when the hour arrived the building was crowded. Mr Talbot, Chairman of the Road Board, presided, but no sooner was Mr Wakefield introduced a scene which baffles description ensued. The district representative did his best to jerk an occasional word in sideways, but yells and boo-hoos cut his sentiments into fragmentary and unintelligible syllables like sausage-meat. The chairman beseeched the disorderlies to “ shut up ” in vain, and even the most rabid of the member’s political op*

ponents vied with each other in endeavoring to obtain a hearing. The opposition, however, seemed organised and a variety of scenes of the wildest confusion ensued. It was stated in explanation that the Temukians had it “ in’’ for Air Wakefield on account of his having after his last political victory designated them “a] miserable little clique.” If so they evidently followed the example of Tam O’Shanter’s wife for they had been

Gathering their brows like gathering storm, Nursing their wrath to keep it warm. After a considerable time spent in expostulating, howling, and finally in wrestling, a sort of lull occurred. Some of the rowdiest were either ejected or left the hall of their own accord The Member for Geraldine devoted his ten minutes breathing time to dry statistics. He had just begun to criticise Major Atkinson’s last budget, and had got into a maze of figures when the absentees returned, and the uproar was renewed. The Volunteer Hall was converted alternately into a menagerie and a boxing saloon. The party of law and order no sooner tried to eject the howlers than they were blinded with bags of flour. In this way the strongest arms were prostrated. Insult was added to injury when a huge carrot grazed the chairman’s whiskers. Finally after nearly two hours hustling and howling Mr Wakefield gave up the unequal contest, and the lights were turned out. Air Wakefield has since resolved to make another effort in the Crown Hotel on Wednesday, but care is to be taken that the audience on that occasiou will be a select one.