THE FENIAN DEMONSTRATION AT HOKITIKA.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 108, 21 March 1868, Page 6

THE FENIAN DEMONSTRATION AT HOKITIKA.

(Condensed from the Grey River Argus.) That section of our Irish fellow-colonists whose sympathies are with the Fenian movement in the old country, kept Sunday as a day of solemn observance in honor of the memory of Allen, Larkin, and O’Brien, who were executed at Manchester for the murder of Police-Sergeant Brett. The town was early astir, and as the hour drew nigh people from all quarters might be seen wending their way in the direction of North Revell-street, which soon became intensely crowded by eager spectators. Shortly after eleven o’clock the procession started, preceded by a hearse, drawn by four horses, and by a brass band playing the Spanish Chaunt. The number of those who formed the procession is variously estimated at from 170 to 200—our reporter counted 190 men and three or four boys. There were several banners bearing appropriate devices. At about three o’clock in the afternoon the procession swelled to about 720 men, 50 women, and between 20 and 30 children returned to town, headed by the band, and four men carrying a trestle, on which was laid the Celtic cross, and behind which walked the 'Rev. Mr. Larkins, the Roman Catholic curate of Waimea, and marched towards the Cemetery, without once halting for refreshment, albeit, the men looked weary and jaded after the long march of Well nigh fourteen miles on one of the warmest days of the season, and along a soft and dusty road. Presently the procession began to arrive in the following order :—The trestle bearing the memorial cross, borne by four; two choristers, in vestments; Rev. Mr. Larkins, in full canonicals, chaunting the burial service in Latin ; ladies, and the other processionists. These were accompanied by banners of various designs and inscriptions, of which the following were the most noticeable:— A large one of green silk, with this inscription emblazoned on gilt—- + ALLEN. LAPKIN. o’bsien. god save Ireland! ’5lB treason to love her, and death to DEFEND. A smaller one, draped, representing on one side St. Patrick, and on the reverse a large gilt cross. Another with a cross and a coffin ; with various others. Arriving at the spot selected for the erection of the memorial cross, the banners were ranged around, and the bystanders having formed a ring, The Rev. Mr. Larkin, R.C.C., then addressed those present in nearly the following terms: — “Beloved Countrymen and Friends, —We are here, and where is the harm that we have done ? (Applause). Yet we have been maligned and blackballed by the Mayor rf Hokitika. (Hisses.) We have been called ruffians and rebels by the Mayor of Hokitika alone. (Hisses.) But we will tins day make him bow to the majesty of public opinion. (Cheers.) Tin’s is Sunday, w hen we are called upon to worship the Author of light; but the holier the day, the better the deed. And what are we here for? We have come to erect a Celtic cross to the memory of our martyred fellow-countrymen, William Allen, Michael d Brian, and Michael Larkin, who were executed at Manchester, and were laughed to scorn as the drep fell. (Groans and hisses.) We love and respect their memory, we respect, too, the sacrifice they have made for their country. We have come here to-day to erect a tribute to their memory. Wo have been maligned, we have been blackballed, but we have done no harm. At home, the malice ot one or two who had tried to prevent the demonstration in houor of their martyred fellow-countrymen, would have been successful owing to recent legislation. But here they have so prostituted the law that the law for us has no force. It is’a Sunday, and we are bound to thank and worship the Giver of all good. On this day we are simply doing a duty we owe to our martyred fellow-countrymen William Allen, Michael O’Brien, and Michael Larkin, may their aouls rest in peace, may our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ have mercy upon them, and if in their lile-time there were any shortcomings on their part, may He in His infinite mercy pardon and turgive them, and may clio is of angels carry their Spirits to the presence of the Eternal. They died, as they lived, in the bosom of the Catholic Church, jasd their last words were Jesus ana Mary—those

names by which they who die in the Catholic Church are saved. Let us hope that they will pray for us and for poor down-trodden Ireland—that they will pray for us and them, that they may bear the mis-goveriimont imposed on them, and all the wickedness that resulls from that mis-government There is a gentleman that has been called upon to pronounce the funeral oration, but as I do not see him here, I have tried to express, in these few words, my feelings. 1 have one request to make—l know that there are many here present who do not think with us, but I have one request to ask, mid that is that all will kneel down and offer up a pater.” The members of the procession then knelt ..down all round, when the Rev. Mr. Larkins repeated “In the name,” &c., “Our Father,” “Gloria Patri,” and “Benedictus.” Prayers were then offered. The company then dispersed, some few staying behind to assist in erecting the memorial, which bore the following inscription : I.H.S. Erected By the inhabitants of Waimea and Stafford Town in loving memory Of the Irish Patriots, William Allen, Michael O’Brien, and Michael Larkin, Who were executed at Manchester and buried in the yard of the New Bailey Prison, Salford, Nov. 2, 1867. HEQDIESCAT in pace. God Sate Ireland. When the work of erecting this was finished all withdrew, the gate was replaced on his hinges, and the sacred ground I’esumed its still and solemn air.