RIOT AT TIMARU.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1825, 27 December 1879, Page 3

RIOT AT TIMARU.

FULLER PARTICULARS. [by tblegbaiph.] [PBOM OTTE OWN OOEEB&PONBENT.] TIMARU, December 26. A most serious riot took place in Timaru to-day between Catholics and Orangemen. The occasion was that of a Friendly Societies’ procession, in which the Orangemen were to take pojrt. Had any one ventured yesterday to him that such an -exhibition of party religious feeling would occur in Timaru, he would have been looked .upon os little better than a maniac, for hitherto all sections of the community have lived in perfect unison. Yesterday evening it came to the ears of the police that a strong body of Catholics from all parts of the district intended mustering in Timaru this morning to prevent the Orangemen joining in the procession in their regalia. Reinforcements of constables from Christchurch and elsewhere were at oneo telegraphed for, and by ten o’clock this morning fully thirty police under Inspectors Hickson and Pender were in readiness at the Depot, together with a strong force of special constables. As the different morning trains arrived, large .numbers of Catholics rushed up to the startling point of the proce jsion (the Foresters* Hall) and by 10.30 between 400 and 500 of them had collected. No sooner did the procession begin to form than the mob began to hoot and shout defiance at the Orangemen. Inspector Pender at first expostulated with them, and a deal of loud and angry argument was used, the spokesmen of the mob contending that the display of orange colors was a premeditated insult, and would not be tolerated. Mr Beetham, R.M., who was present, finding that violence was threatened, read the Riot Act, but it had no effect. Inspector Pender informed the Orangemen that they had a perfect right to proceed in the procession, but advised them to dispense with colors. They refused to do this, and soon after the procession started. The wearers of the orange colors had no sooner formed into rank at the rear of the Foresters, than with loud jells the mob rushed past the police and intercepted them, and, overwhelmed by the superior numbers and vociferous roars of their assailants, the Orangemen fell back towards the Foresters’ Hall. Some of the Orange officers drew their swords, but at .the desire of the police immediately sheathed them again. The Orangemen took refuge in the hall, while the crowd without besieged the doors, howling and yelling. One of the processionists came to the door and waved bis yellow scarf defiantly. This was the signal for renewed yelling. The police formed a circle, in the centre of which Inspector Pender on horseback and Mr Beetham on foot formed conspicuous objects. Eventually matters quieted down, and the police, followed by a howling mob, returned to the depot. The mob, to the number of some 400, then formed four deep, and marched from the Court-house through the main streets to the sports grounds, yelling and groaning at all whom they met. In the meanwhile all the publichouses had been closed, and no liquor was obtainable. Had it not been for this precaution blood would have been shed, as many of the rioters were armed with revolvers, and declared their intention of shooting the first man who showed the orange colors. Fully half of the rioters belonged to Waimate and other country towns, to which they returned by the midday trains. The holiday was completely spoilt, and the town all day was in a perfect state of siege, angry knots of people being collected everywhere. The townspeople are thoroughly exasperated at the whole affair, and intend taking stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such disgraceful scenes. The Orangemen and disturbers of the peace are now mustering their respective forces. The volunteers are on duty in full nmnbtr, and twenty additional constables are hourly expected from Dunedin. The Waimate contingent of rioters say they will return to-morrow in greater strength. A meeting of magistrates was hold this afternoon to consider the serious slate of affairs and will reassemble to morrow.