OLD KUMARA.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1925, Page 4

OLD KUMARA.

(Contributed.) At the nearer approach of the dates (Fcbruarv 23th and Alarch, Ist, 2nd and :jii|). on which the Kuinara Goldfields ,1 übileo Celebrations are to be. held, „ur readers will, we think, take some interest in events which happened on that famous sluicing field between fortv and fifty years ago. .Wo have therefore arranged to publish occasional papers upon the early history ol Kuinara and its environs. 'These will mostly take the form of ext facts Irom the defunct Kuinara “’Tunes,” trolil our own tiles, nr from the tiles ol present ami past contemporaries. Bor a beginning, however, we publish an original contribution Irom one who at. least saw j,art of the event to which he gives the title of A DISGRACEFUL AFFAIR.

He writes:—lt happened in January. I.fSHO, just after the Riot Act had been read tit Timaru and Barrett's Hotel in Christchurch had been partly wreck eil. Nervous people on the Wes! Coast of both colours— Orniuge and Hrceit were apprehensive thai we were In gave a recrudescence ol an old irmible. Goad sense, however, prevailed on holli sides and absolutely the only untoward incident which happened ts that which is now described. Two gentlemen of timid habit ol mind were driving in a sulky Irom Stafford to Greymouth. Being in a liurrv to reach their destination, they aad ‘decided nut to stop at Kuinara. Bussing through that, then busy little town, they saw a. crowd ol some ltundreds of men gathered in Main

Street, between AlulvihiH’s Hotel and the Adelpli.i Theatre. ..Most of the men had their coats off. Some were enrawith ropes which they wete alia, hing to a large building. Among tin, more prominent workers were Inn clergyman, evidently ILL. i’liests. Anxious to learn what was going on. bin keeping well away Irom the crowd, our two ifiends drew up at Hang Filzsi muion's Dundalk Hotel to Sendon Street, and ompiired of the hjtndsunie. genial old host what it ail meant. “Oil."'said Fit“that's only some of my eoiuitrymeu having a little diversion. 1 hey are pulling down an Orange meeting house. Good luck lo them.” Then, seeing the look ol horror on tlm faces of the timid ones, lie added : “Don't, be seared. 'I here'll be no bloodshed. The two soggarths. Father Devoy and his curate, are good men and will keep the. crowd in hand. The boys will for sure leave no building standing there, but no one will be hurl.” iSearcely staying to say

good-bye tbe two .Stafford men climbed into the sulky and drove oil. They at least- were not going to be mixed up in any Fenian Riots! Arrived at Greymouth, the two rabbits unfolded their tale ot woe to an interested group in the 1 lie Gilmer Hotel bar. Among the “listeners in' there happened to lie a reporter <d 11110 ef the local papers, 'lightening the drums of his ears to their utmost, and tuning up all his aerials, the knight ol the pencil eagerly took in ail particulars, Then rushing oil' to his olliee with visions of his lirst real scoop, he poured ids story into th.e ears of an amazed but delighted duel. “What! Bint, in R lima:a ! Go ,1 old Kuinara always helping us. Grange and Green, eh ! God bless'em both. Ihey're the boys that- make a noise when thundering caimans roar! A scoop tor vim, boy, right enough! But gel more particulars. Here, send this lo Janion. K iima rn '‘T imos.” ' Aml the chief w role out lhe following telegram to his erstwhile employee in Kuinara: “\Yire urgent at our expense—lull particulars of 10-day’s riot in your town." The telegram was sent ami Hu- m u i.eWspa .ter men in a fever ol impatience awaited the answer, liny spent mist of the interval in compo-iw; daring headlines snob. its. "Orally. am: Green. Fenian Riots in Kuinara- Disgraceful fit cues. Bloodshed Feared." He,, ,-te. I'resent I v the reply afrited Ii Mr .lanion. “Do no, itiiderstaud. MO riot here, dll tptiel !" The chic! lo..lied blue! And the reporter too! ••By the heard of Moses," said the I kief, “let Its go and smash up t hh.se two lying Stafford men," ami oil they tore. To their utter amazement the two travellers stuck In their ..,11:., i l:e,\ ha! seen the crowd at v.oi k. I Uev loid m tired Ihe priests and Harry I- itz'-immoiis had lohl tltem all about II . Be the loot of I’liarauli." . It- ai I, 1 lb- .him. 1 "ever i .lap,. 11l in get drunk, but lie aas drunk as David's this time. Here, wire to Denis Hannan, wo can trust him. Tell him l: let us know of every even! ye 11 era I interest which happened in Kuhia ra t e-day.” 'the telegram wa> sent and .Mr Hannan's reply was :- ■',\a iivenL general interest. Only event local interest. A (it Inn il ies Cal holii t htireli removed unused hotel Irom Main Si reel I > Tui Sheet to he used as Catholic Boys’ School. V.oik performed by hand by some enndivds ol volunteers." ’The building, enlarged and improved. .-till stands near the Cntiioli' ( !iureh in Kuuiara. No one enjoyed Ho* joke more than Rev. Father Devoy and Ids assist mil. The newspaper men cairn: m make a stock joke, among themselves, about li. Harry I-il/, s “bite” was long talked aootit and perhaps the only persons who never again wished to hear of “The Disgrace!ill Affair” were the two timid trippers in it trap.