AN IRONBARK SCRIMMAGE; OR, THE BATTLE OF THE LANDING SERVICE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2509, 5 April 1881, Page 3

AN IRONBARK SCRIMMAGE; OR, THE BATTLE OF THE LANDING SERVICE.

For some time past a dispute lias beeu pending between the contractor for the supply of ironbark piles for the new wharf at the Breakwater, and the officers of the Harbor Board. As rapidly as the timber was landed it was inspected by the officers and half of it condemned, on the ground that it was not sound to the core. In vain the contractor has threatened expostulated, and beseeched the Board to subject the logs to the arbitration of experts. Failing in his efforts', the exasperated contractor arrived on the scene by rail to-day and forthwith interviewed the manager of the Government Landing Service. The interview was brief but exciting. Dispensing with the usual forms of salutation the contractor, viewing the superintendent of surfboats from stem to stern authoritatively and peremptorily intimated that he would take back the piles, good, bad, and indifferent, and demanded immediate possession. The manager of the Service promptly got his bapk up and firmly refused to surrender a solitary log until certain harbor charges were settled. Instead of receiving payment he was rewarded with a prompt but unexpected ; settlement for the exasperated contractor with surprising agility contrived to get his right foot between the manager’s legs, and by a rapid side revolution the commander of the surf-boats measured his length.in the mud. As he rose, with features in which mortification, insulted dignity, and blood and clay were combined, one of the crowd which the exciting and exhilarating • combat had attracted was observed hastening townwards at a pace that would have done credit to O’Connor, the champion ped. This was the foreman of works for the Harbor Board, who had passively watched events until the collapse of the renowned manager of the surf boats showed too clearly that the prowess of the Harbor Board’s staff was in serious jeopardy. In a short time be returned with a couple of the largest policemen available, and the manager to his evident relief was rescued from the clutches of the contractor. Subsequently Inspector Pender appeared on the scene and inspected the mud and blood, but after hearing the merits of the case be wisely advised the belligerents to heal their sores in the pleasantest way possible. It is not unlikely however, that more will be beard of this extraordinary and amusing encounter.