FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE TIMARU RIOT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1016, 2 January 1880, Page 2

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE TIMARU RIOT.

[FROM THE TIMARU HERALD.] The 26th of December, 1879, was near being tendered memorable in the annals of Timaru by au occurrence which all right-thinking men must greatly deplore. ttince it was announced that the Friendly Societies of Timain would hold a public demonstiation and sports on Boxing-day, the public were looking foiward with much pleusuie to the enjoyment which they hoped the event would yield them. About halt" past 9 o'clock the streets to wear an unu-mally busy as» pect, and the Forester's Hall in George street, became the centre of attraction. This was the point from which it had been- decided that the procession should start, and a busy scene was shortly to be witnessed in front of it. Tho Foresters and Oddfellows, together with the Fire Brigade, had already assembled, and were busily engaged in making arrangements for the procession. Shortly after 10 o'clock the Timaru Brass Band arrived, aud commenced to play musical selections appropriate to the occasion, while a large number of spectators lined the streets all rouud. At about 10.15 about 40 men were seen coming down Barnard street, and the flag /which they carried indicated immediately that they were the Orange party, from whose presei.ee so much unpleasantness was expected. Some of them were armed with swer Is and other weapons, and having drawn up in a line at the end of Barnard street, proceeded to invest themselves with the regalia of their order. No sooner had they done this than a large crowd—probably 150 men were seen coming from the direction of the railway station. They walked in a disorganised mass, but their firm tread and determined looks bespoke the errand on which tbey bad come. Not a word was spoken until they had reached the south end of the line of Orangemen, in Barnard street, where they formed a blockade to prevent the procession from marching, and called in menacing terms to the other party to take off* their colors. Inspector Fender immediately rode up, and dashing with his horse in front of them, called upon them to keep back at their own By vigorous efforts he succeeded raps keeping them back for about a minu||l| till Mr Beetham came up and placea|| himself between the two parties. He then addressed the Catholic party, pointing out the mischievousness of their conduct and reminding them that there were women and children present, whose lives would be endangered if they should resort to lawlessness. The Orangemen still remained passive ' spectators of the scene, but the Catholic party became more menacing in their attitude eveiy moment, and s§hemently demanded that the other plirry should take off their colors. The scene at this juncture was most exciting, and there appeared very little hope of a collision between the two parties being averted, but immediately Inspector Hicksoii with a large posse of police—including the Timaru men as well as those he had brought with him from Christchurch—arrived and were drawn in a line across the street. The procession then began move up George ' street, but no soouer had the Orangemen turned to follow than the line of policemen was broken through by the crowd and they were surrounded. Oae of the officers of the Orangemen drew his sword, and would probably have done some mis-. chief with it only that he was dissuaded by Inspector Pender from usiug it, and it was returned bloodless to his scabbard. As soon as the Orangeman were cut off from the procession there was a slight effort made to tear off their regalia but the police succeeded in preventing it, only one scarf being torn off. The Orangemen on finding the way blocked up, and no possibility of proceeding further into the Foresters' Hall. The space*in front of the entrance to the Hall having been cleared by the police, special constables were sworn in, every man in the crowd on whom the authorities called being compelled to obey. The Orangemen stood in the doorway and in front of the Hall, and still the opposing faction continued to clamour for them to take * off their regalia, but their imperative commands were not complied with. Mr Beetham then read the Riot Act, and at the words, " God save the Queen," with which" the reading concludes, both sides cheered lustily, some of the Orangemen waving their flours in the air. Inspector Pender then addressed the crowd, and told them as the Riot Act had been read they had no business therqpany longer. The objection which they had to the procession had :j been removed; the other party had | promised to take of their colours, aud there ;w,o.uld be no. more of it shown ;i

that day. "Wiser counsel prevailed ■with the Orangemen. Immediately that the Riot Act had been read they concluded that to march on that day ■was out of the question, and so they decided to divest themselves of their insignia. Efforts were then made by Inspectors Pender and Hickson to persuade the crowd to disperse, but all arguments were of no avail. About 20 constables were sworn in, and after order had been restored, Inspector Pender ordered the police and special constables to march towards the station. They were followed thither by the crowd, who afterwards proceeded through the main street to the sports ground. The number of the Catholic party that appeared ready for action was variously stated, but we think that something about 400 may be regarded as a fair estimate. There was no sign of drink on anybody, and with the exception of appearing very excised, they behaved very peaceably and orderly after leaving the Foresters Hall.

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