A NEWSPAPER FRACAS.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 1 July 1881, Page 2

A NEWSPAPER FRACAS.

(Lively Scene in Victoria street Cambridge ) 1 Eye witness ' writes ;— At about 11 o'clock, on Tuesday morning, Victoria-street in the vicinity of the Mail office was the scene of a somewhat lively incident. Mr Montrose hating been deprived of the nominal pro - prietorsbip of the paper by Mr Joseph Ivess, the real proprietor, he had consequently relinquished all connection with the concern, being unable to fulfil the provisions of the lease. Mr Ivess had invested, the overseer of the Mall with authority to assume charge of the premises until his (Mr Ivess) arrival. In compliance with Mr Ivess's request Mr Bond assumed office and when he heard on Tuesday morning that it was Mr Montrose's intention to take possession and carry off the ' consumptive stock, he closed the doors and nailed a notice on them, intimating that the office would be * opened at 3 o'clock. 1 Shortly afterwards Mr Montrose appealed and applied for admission, but was refused, the inmates not being inclined 'to accede to his peremptory request. He latterly became very excited ; and having given three gentle (?) taps at the door, exclaimed, * I'll get a man and have it burst open with a crowbar.' He consequently took himself away in the direction of the town, and shortly afterwards returned with an efficient retinue of amateur bailiffs, minus the crowbar. The retinue consisted of two Maoris, one a stalwart and gigantic specimen, and the otheriof a lomeithai:d^lffiitiiftJHiild._MT MoKtrpee then renewed his application for admission, and being again refused he became slightly agitated, and retired to the back of the premises where he commenced operations in a true businesslike manner. A crowbar not being procurable and no instrument more destructive than a sweeping brush being convenient this was brought to play with some effect on some window glass which offered no resistance to the infuriated journalist. The window was then raised and a precipitate entrance effected, a youth named Jones taking the lead. The Maori portion of the retinue having some conscientious scruple as to entering the business premises of another per' son Mr Montrose stimulated their courage by exclaiming in an audible voice, ' I rent these premises and if any man opposes my entrance I'll .* The dusky youths thought the sport excellent, and exclaiming * Kipai, followed their daring leader head foremost through the aperture, effected with the assistance of the brush, and encountering no opposition from the unoffending inmates, they entered into possession. Legal advice was then sought ; a solicitor brought into the premises to legalise the seizure ; a dray wa3 drawn up to the door ; the stock ' (consumtive') carried off. and here the matter ended, — Times.