EFFIGY BURNING.

Evening Star, Issue 2989, 17 September 1872, Page 4

EFFIGY BURNING.

But-for the apparent imminence of an accident to the Sarah and Mary after she left the port, there would have been but one topic of conversation in Greymouth yesterday—the regretted defeat of the Ministry. “Unification” was at as great a discount as Westland Gold Mining Company’s shares were a few weeks ago, and, in the estimation of a majority, the member for the Hokitika district was “much below par.” The expressed estimate of the member for the Bnller district would not bear quotation. The reason for this interest being taken in the action of twm members who are not member ji for the Grey district was due, no doubt, to the unanimity on certain matters which hag recently existed between the several constituencies on the West Coast. Otherwise, the comments passed, and subsequent proceedings might be considered an impertinence on the part of the population of Greymouth. Towards evening there was an incident associated with this public feeling which drew forth a crowd into the streets, apd much applause and laughter from thecrowd. While the witches were walking round the cauldron in the play of “ Macbeth ” at the Volunteer Hall, the brass band withdrew from the building, and accompanied round the streets two figures, ave are reliably informed, being stuffed with straw. The figures in question were surrounded by torch-bearers, and accompauied through a Gorge fog which con. sidcrably enhance 1 their picturesquenes?, along Mawhera Quay, as far as the beginning, and the probable end of the road and railway works. Here a large crowd very soon assembled, and upon a spot which was really, if not technically, beyond the boundaries of the town and municipal byelaws, the aforesaid figures were sot on fire. They burnt much and smelt abominably, yet the crowd lingered and laughed immoderately, especially as each figure fell from the halter by which it was suspender. The spectacle seemed, however, to cause also much pain to the spectators, for they occasionally groaned deeply, and, on the inenticn of the names of two members of the House of Representatives, they groaned three times in succession after each name. There was likewise cheering —throe cheers being given for the member for the district, and three times three for “The Fox Ministry of the past. Headed by the band, the crowd marched down the street from the scene of execution, as perfect order being preserved as there was perfect good humor. This burning of effigies is the first that has happened In Greymouth, but its perfection in details indicated the presence of a masterhand in the atrongemout of the preliminaries. The representatives wdiose names were mentioned were Messrs O’Conor and White.—OVey Hirer Anjw, Sept. 7.