THE ADDISON'S FLAT DISTURBANCE.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 351, 14 April 1868, Page 2

THE ADDISON'S FLAT DISTURBANCE.

The Gelt of Saturday last contains an account of the recent fracas at Addison's Flat, written by its " own correspondent," from which we extract the following : — The next day, about 1 p.m., the procession (loyalist) returned in the same order to Addison's, but when entering the town commenced singing party songs, intermingled with, cries of "down with the Irish," and brandishing orange flags, although no one was near to interfere with them. But their foolhardy triumph was of short duration, for about fifteen good Irishmen and true, working in the nearest claims to the road, immediately sallied out, and attacked the "valiant" 120 who, in the most cowardly manner, fled from the brave little, band ; but the alarm was now given, and most of them were caught, knocked down, and thrown into slush-holes, whilst others fled for their lives to the shelter of the bush, whilst stones and other missies fell on and. around them, thick as hail. The standard bearer, carrying orange colors, was soon, floored. Some of the processionists never cried halt until they reached Westport, which they did with cut heads. Westport was soon in a commotion, and the barber's clerks, &c, forming the volunteers, and special constables were mustered. Mr Kynnersley and several troopers arrived quickly on Addison's, as the report at the Buller was that several men were killed. In the meantime, storekeepers of Addison's arrived on horseback, and gave the miners word that all the "loyalists" were preparing to leave the Buller, and chastise the men of Addison's Hat. The news spread like wildfire, and messengers were sent to Waite's Pakihis, about a mile off, and where some 400 miners are working, to sound the ' ' roll up. " In half an hour all hands to a man were on Addison's, those that had guns bringing them. The scene nowon Addison's was truly appaling : over 1500 men, armed with various kinds of weapons, mad and burning for the fray, awaited the arrival of the enemy from Westport. The storekeepers willingly supplied the miners with new American axes, to the number of about three hundred, and new pick-handles were distributed ad libitwm. There was a sprinkling of revolvers, and some thirty or forty had guns in their tents roady loaded, whilst others had procured lead and thimbles to make bullets. About 4 p.m. an alarm was raised that the Westport people 1 were in sight. In the whole course of my life I never heard such a wild yell of joy as the news was received. A fearful rush was made to see who would first grapple with the enemy; several were thrown down and trampled upon in that wild rush. At length, after a couple of hundred yards were passed over, it was discovered it was a false alarm. The miners then determined to proceed a little further, and await the attack at the crossing at Addison's Creek. Accordingly the 1500 men waited at the creek, whilst scouts were thrown forward to give notice of the approach of the Westportonians. That wild and picturesque scene I shall never forget. The bronzed and brawny miners with compressed lips and flashing eyes— the deadly weapons firmly grasped, every now and then the cold glitter of the deadly American axes through the foliage. Hour passed after hour, and still ho enemy came, but still the miners awaited. 'At length, near dusk, Mr Kynneraley seeing that the miners to. a man were bent on and panted, for the fray, and were armed . well enough to desolate the whole coast, very wisely sent word into Westport of what the people of that port might expect should they come, and advising them not *,o do so. The miners returned home, but kept their arms, and had patrols on watch until a late hour for fear of a surprise. I am truly glad the people of Westport did not come, as I am afraid few, if any, would have escaped. The miners of Addison's wish to preserve law and order, but to a^ man they are determined to brook no insult.