CAMP BUILDINGS

Lake County Mail, Issue 13, 20 August 1947, Page 11

CAMP BUILDINGS

Arrowtown Episode POSSESSION DENIED From the Files of the Lake Wakatip Mail, May 1867. Messrs Hughes and Brown, M.P.C.’s, two of the elect appointed to take (mssession of all they considered property belonging to the Provincial Council arrived at Arrowtown on Thursday, May 1. They proceeded at once to the camp and demanded possession of the buildings. Mr Warden Broad received them in the courthouse, and told'them he must peremptorily refuse to give up anything without the authority of the Colonial Government.

Mr Brown disappeared from the courthouse, leaving Mr Hughes in conversation with Mr Broad. The latter, thinking something was “in the wind,” placed the courthouse in possession of his clerk and proceeded to the gold office, where he found Mr Brown putting a padlock on the treasury door. On Mr Broad calling a constable Mr Brown left the building and asked Sub-inspector Percy tTJ aid him in taking possession. MiBroad warned MrC’ercy that he was in possession and would not give it up except he was removed by force. He also called upon the police to do their duty by aiding him as a magistrate for the colony in administering the law.

Mr Percy said he had received orders and would give every lawful assistance to Messrs Brown and Hughes, hut he could not consent to bryak into or takeforcible possession of the treasury without a warrant. Finding all their efforts ineffectual to persuade the police to break the law. the noble pair left the camp in high disgust, and by way of a parting fling told the surveyor to take no orders from or assist the warden in any way. They subsequently wandered in a disconsolate manner about the town

•with a petition to the Governor, and wc

believe by dint of manifold “shunts,” they proceeded in getting two or three signatures from trades people. ('Plus petition mysteriously disappeared.)

Mr Warden Eeetham was present with Mr Broad during the camp "attack, and both gentlemen are acting throughout in concert. It is gratifying to know that they have thoroughly defeated the unlawful attempts of Messrs Hughes and Brown. These worthies took good care to leave Arrowtown before dark, having received a hint that when the miners came home from work they would very likely make their stay more excitable than agreeable.

So ended the attack at Arrowtown, and the warden remains in triumphant possession of all the buildings, books, etc.

Messrs Hughes and Brown made their entry into Queenstown on Thursday evening following above, accompanied, from the bridge down Ballarat street, by a crowd of individuals using anything but complimentary terms. We understand, said the Mail, that the two gentlemen named went through the very undemonstrative formality of inquiring of Mr Warden Beetham and Mr Gold-receiver Worthington, whose behests iQ was their pleasure to obey. Prior to this Mr Brown diverted himself by expounding his political views to assemblages in the various hotels, or else was to be observed button-holing small clusters in the public streets.

The following appears in the Mail of June 8, 1807: “By electrical telegraph from Dunedin: Proceedings have been commenced against Brown and Hughes for seizing Court Houses.”

Proud member: Now, tell me how did you find our greens? Distinguished visitor: Well, you see they had flags on them.

Mistress: Late up again, Mary? Did not you hear the alarm clock go off? Maid: No, ma’am; it .always goes off when 1 am most fast asleep.