POLLING DAY AT THE THAMES.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2053, 3 December 1869, Page 2

POLLING DAY AT THE THAMES.

The following is tbe account given by the Thamex Advertiser of the disgraceful proceedings on the poll mi day at Shortlaud : Persons of all classes were permitted to pass through and record their votes for the first hour, but after that those who were known as supports s of Mr Gillies were not only impeded hut driven back and assaulted and in some instances with violent and

brutal usage. The verandah of the Court House was entirely held possession of by those who formed the self-constituted vigilance committee. Conspicuous amongst those were the Government employees on the tramways and other public works, who on this occasion mustered in full force under the leadership of their gangers. By noon the excitement had reached a very high pitch and it became really dangerous to go near the polling booth. As the day advanced, and voter after voter of Mr Gillies party returned with the sune story of the impossibility of reaching the polling booth, it was considered that some steps ought to be at once taken to have tl eir party represented. Up t> about eleven o’clock the voting was about even, but after that Mr Williamson shot ahead at a great rate, because the other voters were not pennitte Ito enter. A bulletin was issued at two o’clock, which stated that the poll then stood at lt>42 for Williamson, and 946 for Gillies. Most people were aware that this was mntrue, as, indeed, it was afterwards proved by the close of the poll. Driven to desperation, many of the voters hit upon the plan of going to Mr Williamson’s committee rooms, aad procuring his tickets for exhibition to the crowd, by which some were enab’ed to go unmolested. This was soon put a stop to, however, and the unfortunate wight who was first detected received unmerciful punishment. Mr Gillies’s supporters, who were unable to get their votes recorded, drew up a protest against the proceeding, which, we are informed, was signed by 650 electors who were unable to record their votes. The fact is significant. Towards four o’clock the excitement became tremendous. Shouts and yells were heard in a 1 directions. Many persons were to be seen trying to escape the fury of the mob, having lost their hats or portions of clothing, and sustained severe bodily harm. Major Keddell did not escape unscathed, and Captain Finnerty, who attempted to head a few men and force his way to the door, was cruelly kicked and maltreated, and but for a friendly refuge would no doubt have been killed. After this no further attempt appears to have been made by Mr Gillies s supporters to obtain admission, and at four o’clock precisely the doors were closed. After the announcement of the poll Mr Davy was “shouldered" by the party*who surrounded the door, who took off his bat and blandly bowed while he was carried ; and afterwards they showed the same good feeling to sergeant Lloyd, and many said he deserved the honor from them. A cry was then raised, “ Let us break in Hogg’s,” a rash was made for the offices of Mac'kay, Taipari and Co., but very little damage was perpetrated beyond breaking the windows of the room that had been used as a committee room by some of Mr Gillies’s supporters. Here commenced a scene of the most disgracefully riotous conduct that we have ever witnessed. The crowd met at the Munster Hotel, where they took possession of the flag that was displayed on that building—a beatiful green flag with a harp in the centre—and marched back to the Courthouse, where they planted it on the verandah. The crowd considerably increased, and marched down Pollen street. On reaching the corner of Willoughby street, the windows of the Bendigo Hotel (l.ipsey’s) fell a prey, and groat damage was done by the missiles. The procession, preceded by the flag, then marched down Pollen street, without inflicting any further damage, and proceeded to Grahamstown. The mob then marched through Grahamstown, a d on returning through Albert street made a furious attack on the A dvertiser office. Bncks were thrown, and the windows were broken to atoms. The windows of the Union Bank were also broken, prol ably by some misdirected brick, as they adjoin the premises of the Advertiser. The mob continued on through Shortland, and again furiously attacked the Bendigo Hotel, breaking everything they could. Ihe riot at this period was at its worst, and our reporter was recommended to trust h.inself no longer. We learn, however, that some two or three attempts were made to arrest those prominent in the assault ou the Bendigo Hotel, but they were rescued by Ihe mob.