THE DAVENPORTS TIED AT LAST

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 June 1877, Page 5

THE DAVENPORTS TIED AT LAST

An Auckland telegram in the Daily Times of yesterday says : — " An exciting scene occurred on Wednesday night in the Theatre, when the Davenports were effectually tied up by the Mayor and. Mr Hesketh, solicitor. Tlie knot had been suggested to the Mayor by Mr Tunny, Provincial Analyst, who had seen it tried before. The Mayor and Mr Hesketh practised it in the afternoon, and were acting in concert, putting it on both Brothers. After the tying had proceeded so far that their hands were firmly secured behind their backs (continual remonstrances proceeding from the Brothers during the process), a very excited colloquy was observed to be going on between the Mayor and. Ira Dayenpbrt, in which

the latter was heard accosting the Mayo*, in violent terms, asserting that the rope: were tied so tightly as to injure him. Mi Hurst stated to the audience that his subject complained of being brutally tied. He was satisfied that such was not the case, and if a medical man was present he I would leave the matter to his judgment.— | (Loud uproar, and cries of ".Dr Hooper. ") Dr Hooper went on the stage amid much cheering. He carefully examined the ropes, and declared that the tying was no excessive. He could put his finger be tween the ropes and the flesh. There was no stoppage of the circulation. Ira Davenport, in a loud voice to the Mayor : "I say untie it ; I am the best judge whether the tying is brutal ox* not, Dr Hooper." — (Groans, howls, and cat-calls.) William Davenport, who looked very ill, also said the tying was painful and stopped the circulation. A scene of great confusion here ensued, Ira Davenport doggedly demanding that he should be untied, and his Worship declining to unloosen the knots. The audience were in an uproar, shouting that the Davenports should confess themselves beaten and apologise. Both Brothers positively refused to go on, and persisted in the demand for liberation. William was at let loose and slackened the ropes on his brother. There was no reason whatever to believe that the tying had been unduly severe, and the spectators, satisfied of this, marked their disapprobation in continual groaning. After this had continued some time, Mr Swanson, M.H.R., and Captain Brand went on the stage and began to tie the Brothers with the same knot, when again they positively refused to submit. The Brothers retired from the stage most ungracefully, amid tremendous howls."