IMPORTANT FROM HOKITIKA.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 65, 30 March 1868, Page 80

IMPORTANT FROM HOKITIKA.

1,000 SPECIAL CONSTABLES

SWORN IN.

ARREST OF FATHER LARKIN.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH—LOYAL DEMONSTRATION AT HOKITIKA

[by electric telegraph.] (from correspondent of evening post.) Hokitika, March 24, 3.36 p.m.' There was immense excitement last night on receipt of the telegram announcing the Prince’s safety. An impromptu demonstration was got up. There was a huge bonfire in th§ Municipal Reserve, and the whole town turned out —-the firemen in uniform.

The Philharmonic Society assembled at the fire, and sang “ God save the Queen,” with .a verse added for the occasion.. The enthusiasm was and is unbounded.

The Town Council have met, and have proclaimed to-morrow a general holiday for rejoicings at the Prince’s escape. Every .loyal person is to wear a blue ribbon at the request of a large number of leading citizens. ' A monster meeting is to be held at the Prince of Wales theatre to-morrow morning to frame a congratulatory address to the Duke. * 5 p.m. No show of Fenianism. The bonfire last night was attended by over 2000 persons. The people joined in singing the National Anthem, which was also sung at the theatres. There will be a. great meeting and procession" to-morrow. The town will be dressed up. People are prepariug red, white, and blue cockades! The enthusiasm is at fever point. Nelson, March 27, 2.12 p.m. The question of removing the Celtic Cross from the Cemetery was brought before the City Council at Hokitika; when, by the casting vote of the Mayor, its removal was ordered. A meeting was held at the Munster Hotel, when it was resolved to ask Mr Bonar, Chairman of the County Council, to interfere. That gentleman declined having anything to do with the matter.

The Celt is most indignant and threatening. The hotel-kepeers who kept their bouses open on the day of the procession are not to' be indicted, the Government having so ordered. Their licenses, however, will not be renewed.

(FROM WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT “EXTRA.”) Independent Office, March 27, 8.30 p.m. We have been favored with the following intelligence by the Hon. Mr. Richardson:—

Telegrams from Hokitika were received last night by the General Government.

Everything was quiet, but the people were in a state of excitement. The Celtic Cross had been removed from the; cemetery some days. Father Larkin had applied to the authorities to be allowed' to erect it again. This request was refused..

Six hundred special constables had been sworn in during the day, which were increased to one thousand last night. Father Larkin had been arrested without exciting any disturbance. The Attorney-General has given an opinion that some of the articles in the Celt newspaper are seditious, and calculated to excite a breach of the peace. The Colonial Government steamer St. Kilda had been despatched this morning to Patea, for the purpose of conveying; a detachment of Armed Constabulary stationed there to Holdtika, to the number , of sixty-five, in aid of the local force should such be necessary, though*; such necessity is not probable. ;

Bishop. Viard, of Wellington, and his priests Fathers M‘Taggett and M‘Donough, have shown the greatest interest in aiding in the preservation of peace and order, and are entitled to the thanksof the community