"CELESTIAL" TROUBLE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 305, 26 December 1877, Page 4

"CELESTIAL" TROUBLE.

The case of Audrew M'Laren v. Ah Hing Ty and othera has of late occupied 8 considerable amount of attention at Tokomairiro. It was heard at the Seeiderit Magistrate's Court, Milton, sis timee, and oooe at the District Court,' Tuapeka, when it was adjourned. According to local journals the matter in dispute is the use and occupation of certain auriferous lands at Glenore, the freehold of which vests in M'Laren, who acting by advice determined to take possession by hook or crook. Marshalling and irregular, and not very effective, force of about a dozen men, he proceeded by rail to G-lenore Station, near the scene of the anticipated contest. On arriving at the disputed claim about 30 Chinamen were seen at work, but on being challenged they only vouchsafed a sulky " no savvy." Underrating the valour of the enemy, and taking them to be *• lamblike" in disposition as in language, Mao ordered hia right hand man to divert a head of water so a& to flood the claim. This roused the sleeping lion, and construing this act into a declaration of war, the beaeiged flocked to the breach, and triumphantly carried the position at the point of the shovel. Mac's forces feeling themselves out numbered, a'ter holding a council of war, attempted to take the enemy at a disadvantage, and proceeded to attack an outlaying position .namely, the headrace, at a poinl about 200 yards distant from the claim. The alarm being given, out rushed the besieged, and with great valour, about a dozen of them succeed in pushing Mac's coadjutor into the water-race, and Burrounded the gallant Mao with their shovels at the " charge." Overpowered by oumberß this dauntless leader, driven to extremities, produced a murderous weapon, an old rusty Coil's revolver, aad single - handed would propably have vanquished the foe, had they not had in the ranks a hero of uo common valour. Emulating the example of the great Swiss patriot, this matchless Cliiuaman decided to sacrifice himself for the benefit of hie CQuatrymeo. Facing the foe, and stiikiug his breast, h« shouted, "Sliootee here I euootee I" while another, with equal fortitude, stoL behind the gallant, Mac, and anaiclied the weapon from his grasp. With the torphy he fl e d, uttering the following memorable words, "Him shootee Chinaman j me hittee him with shovel ; alice flame me hang!" On seeing their leader fall, the forces under Mac's command became completely demoralised, and after mutual recriminations disbanded. A small party of tuesi retired to the nearest Hotel where they fought thair battles o'er again, and explained to one another how they would have slaughered the enemy had they the sole conduct of the campaign.