"A BEAR GARDEN."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9556, 31 July 1909, Page 5

"A BEAR GARDEN."

SENSATIONAL SCENE AT A BOARD MEETING.

A sensational affair happened at the conclusion of the Dunedin Harbour Board's meeting on Thursday last, writes a correspondent of the "Post." Mr W. Belcher moved that the board rescind the chairman's ruling out of order of a previous motion submitted by him. The chairman (Mr W. Barclay) said he had no hesitation in ruling the motion out of order. Again Mr Belcher, whjts with anger, sprang to his feet, ran to the press table roaring out, "I'll hand this (some papers) to the press, and you'll yet the greatest flcgging you have ever got in your life!" The c chairman demanded a withdrawal, and Mr Belcher agreed to withdraw his expression. There was a pause, and then Mr Belcher said forcefully:--"*ou rule the motion out of order?" •'I do," said the chairman, who then declared the meeting closed. A remarkable scene followed. Mr Belcher, roaring like the bull of Bashan, cried: "Right On! Right Oh! Now the business is finished, I'll Rive you the greatest flogging jou ever got in your life." This caused general consternation. "I," again roared [Mr Belcher, "have as much up my sleeve as shall make you squirm." "You are playing the fool," said the chairman who had walked to the rear, of tne room. Mr Belcher gobbled like a turcey in mockery of Mr Barclay's mumbled, remark. Mr Barclay said:—"l have heard of a 'Bubbly Jock' before, but I never met one till now." Mr Belcher hissed our:—"You are a d d ass." "If you call me a d— —d ass again," said the chair-' man, "I'll throw an inkbottle at you." Mr Belcher moved towards the! chairman like a tiger. Mr Barclay, who was in the act of filling his pipe, threw it a Mr Belcher, who dodged. The pipe bounced along the press table and hit a reporter on the shoulder.

Mr Bel cher ran to an open space in the room. He was a m2D.icing spectacle, with the tails of a long coat flapping about Ins ankles, a black m-.iffler about hh throat, and a square hat cocked on the back of a parlially bald h aJ. He set his teeth, assumed the first attitude of pugilistic defence and attack, and cried: "You are ad—d ass. Come out here for five minutes, and I'll give you the d—-d flogging you ever got in your life. Come out for five minutes."

The invitation was not accepted, and the disgraceful scene ended with the membeis hurriedly departing.