FUN AT A MEETING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 270, 5 April 1911, Page 2

FUN AT A MEETING

BOARD MEMBERS COME TO BLOWS. < By Telegraph,—Press Association. 1 Ashburton, Tuesday. i A lively scene occurred at the meeting of the Ashburton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to-day, the incident being a sequel to the recent prosecution of Mr. Hugo Friedlander for having been connected with a firm that sup- - plied over £lO worth of goods to the board. Mr. Friedlander had been proposed as chairman of the board to-day, and this was opposed by Mr. H. Davis and Mr. C. Reid. Durinjf the discussion, which was very heated, the whole unfortunate incident was re-opened. Mr. Friedlander said that he was glad that Mr. Rem had let the cat out of the bag by tacitly admitting that he had prompted Mr. Davis to bring the action, and had been one party to the prosecution. Mr. Reid heatedly objected to the remark, whereupon Mr. Friedlander said that he could prove itMr. Reid then said, "It is a lie," and Mr. Friedlander hit Mr. Reid over the head with a walking stick, exclaiming, "Do you call me a liar '! Take that, ami that!" The combatants were separated, and Mr. Reid subsequently rushed out of the room, presumably to get advice from a solicitor, and at a subsequent stage asked Mr. Friedlander to apologise for his assault. Mr. Friedlander refused to apologise to Mr. Reid, but said he would apologise to the board for his part in the incident. Mr, Held thereupon said he would prosecute Mr. Friedlander for assault with a view to showing that he was honorable in his dealings with the board. Mr. Hugo Friedlander gave his personal cheque for £l2 15s Dd, the amount of goods supplied by his firm to the board, and £43 7s Cd for an operating table indented from London free of cost 1 by his firm to the board, as a donation. 1 The donations were received with thanks, and will carry a subsidy of 24s in the £. Mr. C. J. Harper was elected temporary chairman, and at another stage of the meeting there was every likelif hood of a scene occurring between Mr. C. Reid and Mr, John Cairns in: regard ■to a remark made by tho t latter'that the j , wrangling that had at the board's meeting was disgMjfnl.' Mr. Reid asked Mr. to come out into the backyard, and Mr. Cairns accepted the proposal, but the would-be combatants were prevented from carry--1 .ing it into effect. ,1 ' —=