GUY FAWKES’ DAY IN CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 43, 18 November 1871, Page 15

GUY FAWKES’ DAY IN CHRISTCHURCH.

We have already been informed by telegraph that some disturbance was likely to occur in Christchurch on Guy Fawkes’ Day, in consequence of the alleged intention to hold a party procession. The following description of the excitement on the occasion appears in the “ Lyttelton Times”: — It had been currently rumored for some days past that the Orangemen intended to celebrate the anniversary by marching through Christchurch. The New York riot being so fresh in memory, the rumor gave rise to a considerable amount of uneasiness, and the authorities were communicated with, in the view of preventing any disturbance of the peace. The Catholics mustered to the number of about three hundred to stop the procession, in case it was attempted. At morning service, the Rev Father Ecuyer exhorted his congregation to abstain from any interference with the Orangemen should they march through the city. About half-an-hour before the arrival of the first train from Lyttelton, about two hundred Catholics assembled on the South town belt, contiguous to the railway station. It was thought that the Orangemen from Port would arrive by that train to join their brethren in Christchurch, and the intention of the Catholics was to prevent them from marching under party

colors, Meantime, every precaution had been taken by the authorities. Inspector Pender rode down to the station, and requested the assemblage to disperse, assuring them that inquiry had been made and that there was no intention on the part of the Orangemen to march in procession. Some of the men stepped forward, and, addressing Inspector Pender, said that neither themselves nor their co-religionists had any intention to commit an unprovoked breach of the peace ; they would consider it an insult to their religion if the Orangemen attempted to walk under colors, and they were determined to a man to resent it. Inspector Pender again assured them that the Orangemen would not march, aud advised those whom he addressed to return to their homes. The train arrived from Lyttelton soon after, but none of the Orangemen came by it (at least, party emblems were not displayed by any of the passengers) and fortunately nothing occurred to upset the order of things. When proceeding up High street, the men were met by Mr Bowen, R.M., and Inspector Pender. Mr Bowen ad vised them to disperse, informing them that full inquiry had been made, and that the Orangemen did not intend to march. One of the party said that Mr Bowen had known a week ago that they purposed having a procession, but that he lntd taken no steps to prevent it; that, in fact, he had signified his assent thereto. This last remark was disapproved of by the others in the crowd. Mr Bowen said he had come there in the interests of the public peace to talk and reason with reasonable men, but if he were to be told anything so absurd as that which had just been addressed to him, he would leave them. Nothing was so ridiculous as to assert that in his position he would he a party to anything calculated to lead to a breach of the peace. He was himself an Irishman, and he saw no reason why the recollection of what their greatgrandfathers did at the Battle of the Boyne should be perpetuated in a land 16,000 miles away from the old country. At present, there was no statutary enactment to prevent processions in New Zealand, but he would continue to go his best to prevent processions of a party character. He was sure it was the desire of every good citizen, as it certainly was his, to see the people living in harmony with each other. Addressing Mr Bowen, some of the men said that they had no desire to commit a breach of the peace unless they were provoked to it. They had no hesitation in telling him that they had assembled with the determination of resenting any insult that might be offered to their religion ; the} 7 would certainly not be the aggressors ; their opinion was that an Act should he passed to prevent party processions of all kinds. Mr Bowen again advised them to disperse, and the crowd immediately broke lip into small knots. There was no disturbance during the day. We had almost forgotten to state that the police adopted the wise precaution of warning the publicans not to sell any drink, except to bona ilde lodgers.