TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1726, 3 July 1884, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

I UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AN EX-MEMBERS' QUARREL, Auckland, July 2. Ail Altercation took place in Queen-street to-day between Mr Dargavilie and Mr Swanf.on—both of whom .are standing for City West—when Mr Swanson, exclaiming, "Do yon mean to call me a liar," struck Mr with his stick", eausing a slight abrasion of the skiu on his face, from which tho blood appeared, Mr Dargayillc im mediately got into a cab' aod drove to tho olub, The following are additional particulars : During the course of the forenoon Mr Dargavilie and Mr Swansou wero observed in earnest conversation in front of the Victoria Arcado hoarding, at the corner of Queen aud Shorthnd-streets. It is well known that Mr Dargavillo is seeking re-election for the City West electorate, while a requisition is being signed tor presentation to Mr Swanson, asking him to contest the seat against Mr Dnrgaville. Consequently it is not surprising that an interview between these apparently antagonistic politicians should have excited some interest. ' The conversation had lasted some time, when the attention of some people in the immediate vicinity was attracted by an ominous increase in the pitch of the gentlemen's voices, Words of a decidedly unparliamentary character wero heard, aud ' then Mr Swanson exclaimed, in indignant tcn-s, "Doyou mean to call mo a liar?"V! ithout waiting to assure himself that it was Mr Dargaville's intention to impugn bh veracity, Mr Swanson raised his stick which he usually carries to assist him in his peregrinations through town, and struck his opponent a smart blow on the head. No exceptional force was used, the action evidently being intended as .a challenge to actual combat, or probably was looked upon by Mr vSwauson as an indignity sufficient to assuage his wounded ieelings. Mr Dargavillo's hat was knocked oil' his head and partly crushed, He stooped to pick it up, and it is asserted by somo that while engaged in recovering possesion of his ohapeau, Mr Swanson struck him again; this is, however, rteiued. Mr Dorgarille was observed to remove some blood from his face, the blow having of,u o;l a slight abrasion of tho skin, He made no attempt to return the blow, but addressed several words to Mr Swanson, and then hurrying over to a cab stand, entered a vehicle and drove up to the club, Mr Swanson, whose anger appeared to be thoroughly kindled, was taken away from the scene by a friend. The affair caused great excitement in town and was warmly discussed during the day. Mr Dargavilie makes the following statement with regard to ihe occurrence: "Mr Swanson and 1 were standing talking iu a friendly mannnr, when, in the course of conversation ho made use of some vory coarse language about a third party, I said ' That is very strong language to use; how would you like to have it used about yourself?' - He said: nobody would dare to uso such languago of him ; if you used it of me I would give you the same back.' Ho immediately struck mo with his crutch and knocked my hat off. I made no attompt to retaliate, but while stooping to lift my hat I received another blow from the crutch, aud said to Swan-ou: 1 You are a cripple just now, and I will not quarrel with you, with which remark I walked off. Mr Dargaville said it was not his intention to proceed against his antagonist for assault; he would a low the matter to drop.'

Muiiu, Thursday. A four-roomed house, the property of H, Campbell carrier, was burnt this morning, Insurance on building w.is £l4O in South British, and on furniture £IOO in Union. It is believed to be purely accidental. Palmehston North, Thursday. Mr Izard addressed the Foxton electors on Tuesday evening, He said he would favor a coalition Ministry and would not support Grey or auy Ministry of which ho was a leader.