IMPORTANT FROM HOKITIKA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 568, 13 April 1868, Page 2

IMPORTANT FROM HOKITIKA.

PARTY FIGHTS. We take the following from the Wanganui Chronicle Extra of Tuesday last By the arrival of the Beautiful Star this morning we have Westport papers to Saturday last, containing accounts lof Fenian disturbances there. It appears that ou Thursday last tho inhabitants of Addison’s Flat arranged a demonstration in support of loyalty. A procession was formed numbering over 700 persons. Wliat followed is thus detailed: — WESTPORT. - Whilst the Police Court was sitting at Addison’s Flat on Friday a man named Mason arrived from Westport with a severe wound ou his head, bringing the intelligence that the processionists in the loyal demonstration of Thursday, who were returning home jto the Flat were assaulted about the middle of it by a mob of Irish Fenians who with stoues and other projectiles 1 inflicted severe wounds ou several of | the party. The women who were at | its head were dragged from their

horses, and a scene of great confusion and excitement ensued, the loyalists talcing refuge in fight, with unmistakealde signs on their clothes and persons, of the danger they had fortunately escaped. The repoxt first received, we are happy to state, was exaggerated, and we have great pleasure iu reporting that no person was either dangerously wounded or killed. The attack was evidently premeditated, as the processionists were allowed to get well iptq the town before

any onslaught was made, and no prc= vocation, as far as we eaa hear, was given. As far as we tuc able to learn, no firearms were used, but the Irish faction were armed with stones, staves.

and ytcks. After Mr Kynnersley's arrival with the Inspector and Sergeant of Police, the crowd—composed, wq are told, exclusively of Irishmen—crowded round the Commissioner, who mounted on Daly’s shoulders and made them a speech, telling them that ! he was determined to preserve order !at any cost, and advised them to disperse quietly to their homes. The la-

epector (Mr Franklin) then mace a speech, both himself and Mr Kynnersley’s being listened to attentively, but the crowd were very much excited, and were all armed with stones and staves. After some time had elapsed, the feel ing got abroad that the volunteers were going to march to Addison’s with the view of quelling the disturbance, and fV." n;.',.-. r.s.*.ffT7 .Vir.spn? fV.nf rrs

iiie reeling was pretty general mat iuc men would rather like a fight than otherwise. There was a good manyj Fenian heads, however, who all thisj time endeavored to preserve the peace, j and, by the latest despatch received, there was every probability of this aim being effectual. During all this being carried on at Addison’s, the usually quiet town of Westport was the scene of the greatest excitement, and the advent of any passenger with news from Addison’s was eagerly looked for. In a short time, so general was the desire felt of joining any movement for punishing the mob at Addison’s, that over 250 people were sworn ia by Dr. Giles, as special constables. The volunteers were mustered at the sonnd of the bugle, and about 120 fell in. In the afternoon, on the arrival of the first despatch from Mr Kynnersley, informing them that the town was quiet, and at present the volunteers were not wanted. No further disturbance of any more serious nature was anticipated to take place last night. The crowd broke the horse’s bridle of the first messenger, and pelted him with stones into the Commissioner’s, but he was allowed to go on his errand Watch and ward was being kept at the ground, and no friendly Saxon face was seen in the whole town. Mr Pitt took the volunteers round the town at night, singing as they marched. During the day nearly the whole oi the battered men came to town, having been compelled to retreat.