THE LATE RIOT AT THE PORKS.

Evening Post, Issue 131, 11 July 1865, Page 2

THE LATE RIOT AT THE PORKS.

In n previous issue we noticed that a disturbance had occurred at the Forks, on the Wakamarina, and that in consequence Mr. Warden Kynnersley had been compelled to swear in a number of special constables for the maintenance of order. The authentic particulars of the affair are as follows s —On the 3rd of the present month Mr. Kynnersley granted a prospecting claim to ono Charles Morgan. Immediately afterwards the claim was "jumped," find occupied by Thomas Jones (Morgan's mate), Luke Grien, and •liilui Walsh, assisted by several diggers residing ai. the Forks. Jones, Walsh, and (iron, were summonsed in the Warden's Court for the offence of jumping a claim. The case was heard on Bth June, when the evidence ha ung been thoroughly and fairly jjone into, Jones was lined £10, and Walsh and Green £5 each. The fines were to be rt covered by distress process; but as no effects could he found ou which to levyi warr.inth of commitment wore issued the same afternoon, and Constable Jeffreys with a special constable proceeded to execute the warrants while the men were still at Deep Oreelc. The constable on attempting to arrest Green was assaulted, knocked down, and kicked severely by five men. These men thon witli reckless audacity left the scene, and soon after sent a message to the Warden, saying " they knew that there were only seven policemen in the Province, and that they intended to work the claim j and, still further, that they defied the Warden and all his policemen to come up to the Forks and pre" vent them. This defiance of the law and the constituted authorities it was not likely would be tolerated. Mr. Kynnersley immediately sent to liavelock for the assistance of Hergeant (Joodall, and on his arrival, warrants in the mean time having been issued on the criminal charge of assaulting the police, six special constables were sworn in, when the whole with Sergeant Goodall and constable Jeffreys started for the Forks, leaving Deep Creek on Sunday morning at three o'clock, and arrived on the ground just i before daylight, with the express intention of capturing the offenders in their tents The plan unfortunately did not succeed ; for owing, it is believed, to the indiscretion of one of the special constables in divulging the intentions of Mr. Warden Kynnersley, a messenger iiad been despatched to apprise the rioters of the coming of the polire, so that when they arrived on the ground none of them were to be fonnd. It has since been ascertained that the rioters had left their tuts and conctaled themselves in the scrubSince then the best order has been maintained, and the disputed claim has not been interfered with, but we are informed that the men are still concealed in the neighbourhood of the Works, and are taking such precautions to conceal themselves that there would be but little hope of finding them even if a large !fo co was was sent up. The Warden recconimends the Government to station two additional constables at the Forks, to assist in apprehending Jones, Walsh, and Green, when they eouieoutfrom their hiding-quarters* Tne Warden further reccommends that, in case of Morgan's claim being again interfered with, it will be necessary to station men on Hid spot, to afford protection to the men working it.— Marl borough Press.