A DISGRACEFUL MEETING

Temuka Leader, Issue 263, 22 May 1880, Page 2

A DISGRACEFUL MEETING

(From Otago DaLy Times) A meeting of ratepayers of South Dunedin was held l ist Monday, Mr Narimann occupying the chair Mr H Martin said the meeting had been called in consequence of the late action of lbs Councli, which had become the laughing stock of tlie colony, having enacted what had been termed a farce in five acts ; he would move, That this meeting request th ■ Mayor to sign the minutes of the special meeting of the Council held on April 23, and proceed with the business of the Council, and failing compliance with this request that a committee be appointed to obtain signatures for a requisition calling upon the Mayor to resign his seat Mr John Brown rose and seconded the amendment Mr Conn rose to move an amendment—. That the councillors and Mayor be asked to resign (Cries of Sit down) He didn’t see why the Mayor should resign, and not the councillors, as they were a lot of humbugs as well as the Mayor Mr Downie : I will second that notion. I will have another chance of getting in. Mr Henderson impressed upon the meet ing the desirability of commencing at the top of the tree. There was a thorough deadlock in the Council. The Mayor was really obstinate —(A Ratepayer ; “Yah ”) —-arid the meeting should ask him to resign his seat or go on with the business The speaker was interrupted by a row between two individuals, one of whom used disgraceful and disgusting language The Chairman . s I donot know that gentleman’s name, but I must request him to confine himself to decent language Mr Bennett then got up on the platform and began to speak, looking steadfastly at the Chairman A Ratepayer : Address the meeting Mr Bennett having faced the meeting, was requested to take bis hands out of his pockets Mr Bennett continued his remarks, giving emphasis to them by sundry thumps on the Chairman’s table with his hands A Ratepayer : Leave tr.e reporter alone Another ; Go and have some mpre tea. Another : Moloney’s burnt the book i

Mr Hodges was th° next speaker, and on his arrival on Ihe platform was greet* d with cheers and expressions of applause He thought every ratepayer should feel ashamed of,the unseemly conduct of the : r civic fathers Persons elected by the people should not be guilty of such extraordinary conduct as that which characterised the, councillors of South Dunedin The councillors were altogether at sea as regarded their acquaintance with the law relating to the compilation of the burgess roll, and had acted ill gaily The Mayor pursued a wrong course

A ratepayer here sood up and spoke for some time in an utterly incomprehensible manner .

Mr Hodges contended that it was the duty of the Mayor, when a vote of censure was about to be p issed to leave the chair like a gentleman He should have put a motion when he was requested to do so by a majority of the Council, and it was his duty to sign the minutes if they, were a correct record of what took place A bungle had occurred in the preparation of the balance-sheet, and the meeting for its signature had been held on the wrong night The presen 1 treasurer hel l a sinecure, and had done notning The speaker was interrupted by Mr Bennet, who was called to ofder by the Chairman

A Ratepayer—Get a draught of Old Tom in Mr Pledges then read the duties of the treasurer from the Municipal act T.ieir Mayor had ca led a meeting to sign the balance-sheet, hut Cr C-irey had informed him of his departure from the act, as the meeting should nave been held on the second Tuesd y in May Ratepayer—You must begetting dry Mr Hodges—l am The Ratepayer— C une out and I’ll do it for you

Mr Hodges—l will come out directly.Mr McCatlhy Mr McCarthy—You are so lon sr- winded, you Talk some sense We don’t want any preaching here Yon are too dry

Mr Hodges did not sec how all- flnconneillois could resign at once, as their resignations emild mt he accepted, lie thought that the Maynr, ait a- .aim consideration, would comply with the resoln tion. The ratepayers would never submit to the despotic sway of any tyrant, although he migat bo of somewhat—well, he would not say what—(hisses and applause)—of somewhat venerable appearance. Loud cries were here made for Downie and M’Bride. Cr M’Bride : I would have great pleasure in addressing the meeting, only I think lam here upon my trial, I have nothing to say about it. Let the prosecution go on, and when the time arrives for the defence I will be prepared . The Chairman—The councillors can he cross-questioned at the Mayor’s meeting . ■■ A Ratepayer—We want the ringleader. Mr Thomas thought the meeting was altogether out of ord r The ratepayers should have waited, and attended the meeting called by the Mayor. Mr Martin explai eel that there had been some misapprehension regarding the engagement of the hall. Mr McCarthy—Sint up. Mr Chairman—Gentlem n, I really hope Mr McCarthy—Shut up. The Chairman—Gentlemen, I hope you will be temperate. You will all have the privilege of speaking. Mr Martin—l think the Council Chamber is too small. Mr McCarthy—Shut up. Mr Thomas here intimated that the Mayor intended to adjourn the meeting he had called to the hall. A Ratepayer—Why did he. not call it in the prop r place ? Another—Shut up, or I will “go ” for you A general upioar ensued, but the shut up gentleman made himself heard in the njis.e. Mr Scott —Considering the sort of a crowd wo have in this municipality, I think the sooner it is dissolved the better Mr Perkins—l’ll second that, A ratepayer began to speak, but he was stopped with the warning that if he did not shut up he would have a finger poked in his eye. Mr Dundon—l beg to move that we hang,the Mayor. The Chairman—l cann- t put that motion. A Ratepayer—l will move that ho be the hangman . —(Applause.) Mr Shacklock—Mr Chairman, and fellow townsmen, I „do not know whether I can call you all gentlemen, 1 may say in the first place that if you have any consideration for speakers you ought to stop from smoking. Disorder ensued, and it was announced that the next song would be a d .nee. Tim amendment calling on the Mayor and Council to resign was ultimately put ?nd lost, an.i the original motion was carried.

An indescribable row followed, and proceedings were brought to a c'ose.