DISGRACEFUL RIOTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 36, 30 December 1879, Page 3

DISGRACEFUL RIOTS.

:. . + FIGHTS BETWEEN ROMAN CA.THO LICS AND ORANGEMEN. (pee press agency.) Chuistchukch, Friday A disgraceful outrage occurred this morning. As a procession was proceeding to the railway station for the purpose of holding a picnic at Prebbleton, it was stopped by a number of men who came from j|Barreti|'S Borough Hotel, armed with Spicks/ staves, and other weapons; "^ndr notwithstanding the exertions ofPte police, about ten members of the Protestant Alliance Society were more or less injured ; one man in particular is very dangerously wounded. The police have captured four of the assailants. The greatest excitement prevailed. It was feared that a serious riot might take pface on the return of the Friendly Societies from the picnic December 27. The Orangemen yesterday only numbered 40 ; the Catholics between 400 and 500, collected from all parts of the district. Ihey formed four deep and inarched through the town, yelling and hooting. Several were armed with revolvers. It is due to Mr Beetham, and to the police, that blood teas not shed. Reinforcements of police were sent for to Christchurch and Timaru, and Volunteers placed underarms. Timabu, Friday. • A disgraceful scene occurred at the Oddfellows and Foresters' Amalgamated Fete to-day. The Orangemen had, duriog the week, notified that they would join in the pioceßsion of the friendly societies; and it having been rumored that the Bom an Catho» lie body ' would interfere with the parade of the lodge in regalia and with the usual banneis, Inspector Pender communicated with Inspector Hiokson. The result was that 16 constable*, 2 sergeants, and Inspector Pender came down in a special train, " arriving at 10.30 am. This force paraded near the Foresters' Hall, from which the procession issued. The Fqresters and Oddfellows were allowed to pass by a large collection of Irish Catholics, but on the Orange men appealing they were dashed at, and some of the officers stripped of their regalia. The wardens drew the swords which they were carrying, and the police interfered, but the crowd continued hooting and yelling, and refused to disperse. The Resident Magistrate then read the Riot Act, 'but the crowd still declined to move. It was finally arranged that the Orangemen should disband after taking off their regalia, and they then proceeded to the show grounds, where the sports were to be held , separately . This was done, and order was once more re» stored; but to prevent all serious consequences the public houses in town were ordered to close during the day, and the person who had pur. chased license* for the refreshment booths at the sports was also ordered to close the same. The Irish mobs had been collected from all parts of ■^ th*£oiintry by means of* telegraph conmitiincation. and arrived early this meaning by I rain* from the North and South, and by means of conveyances from the outlying districts. The town since is very quiet. — ' December 27. Before a very full Bench, Michael - M'Caverly, Thos Hanley, Patrick - Cudjdihy and Michael Connolly, who were charged with riotous behaviour and 'assaulting certain persons while pioeeecling along a public street,

were remanded till Monnay, bail bo ing refused. Several people were fined 60a and 408 each for throwing stones at the ' Borough Hotel, and ono 20s for obstructing a special constable.