THE TIMARU RIOTERS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 468, 18 January 1881, Page 2

THE TIMARU RIOTERS.

At the Timaru District Court, criminal session, on Saturday, T. O'Driscoll, Lawrence Towers, P. O'Shoa, P. O'Connor, Jno Deniliy, and Maurice Moynahan, concerned in the Timaru riots of Boxing Day. 1879, surrendered to judgment.

Mr White appeared for the Crown, and Mr Stout for the accused.

Mr Stout called R Wakefield, F. Archer, R. Turnhull, Inspector Pender, T. Ilawlcy J. Molloy, and M. Brown as witnesses (o character, especially to that of O'Drisoll.

Judge Wanl, in sentencing, remarked that after a long and patient trial accused were convicted and sentence reserved, on points raised by their counsel, which had been heard in ft higher court. lie; had little doubt as to the result. He took into consideration the high character given by leading gentlemen of Timaru, the long suspense prisoners had suffered, andJastly, the fact that—thanks to the finnncßS and prudence of the Resident Magistrate and Inspector of Police—but little actual violence took place at the time of the commission of the offence on the proposed Orange procession. lie regretted tho Legislature had not stopped all processions ; still they should not violate law and order. Their processions with green flags and green sashes were not molested. When the Orangemen had theirs the prisoners broke the law. He did not know where Irishmen had more liberty or were more welcome thanjjin New Zealand. Let all parlies undarstand that faction fights on tho free soil of New Zealand would not be tolerated. He would take into consideration the time that had elapsed since the riot occurred, also that the Orangemen had had another procession since, which had passed off quietly. He ordered the five prisoners to be discharged on their own recognizances of £100 each, to come up for sentence when called upon. O'Dris coil's case differed from the others. He took the lead, and wrote the letter found on Moynahan. Had bloodshed taken place or life been lost, he would have been responsible. Still ho would not send a man of his high character to herd with fellows in gaol. lie had put the colony to a considerable expense, and he therefore sentenced him to pay a fine of £100. Discharging the other prisoners, his Honor said—"Sin no more, lest ft worse thing come to you." The senionees were received with satisfaction throughout the community. The Court was densely ciowded during the fitting.