DISGRACEFUL RIOTS AT CHRISTCHURCH AND TIMARU.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5848, 27 December 1879, Page 2

DISGRACEFUL RIOTS AT CHRISTCHURCH AND TIMARU.

FIGHTS BETWEEN ROMAN CATHOLICS AND ORANGEMEN. (per press agency.) Christchdroh, 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 Barrett’s Borough Hotel, armed with picks, staves, and other weapons ; and notwithstanding the exertions of the police, about ten members of the Protestant Alliance Society were more or less injured ; one man iu particular is very dangerously wounded. The police hav e captured four of the assailants. The greatest excitement prevailed. It was feared that a serious riot might take place on the return of the Friendly Societies from the picnic. Timaru, Friday.

A disgraceful scene occurred at the Oddfellows and Foresters’ Amalgamated Fete to-day. The Orangemen had, during the week, notified that they would join in the procession of the friendly societies, and it having been rumored that the Roman Catholic body would interefere with the parade of the lodge in regalia and with the usual banners, Inspector Pender communicated with Inspector Hickson. The result was that 16 constables, 2 sergeants, and Inspector Pender came down iu a special train, arriving at 10.30 a.m. This force paraded near the Foresters’ Hall, from which the precession issued. The Foresters and Oddfellows were allowed to pass by a large collection of Irish Catholics, but on the Orangemen appearing 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 disaband 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 restored ; but to prevent all serious consequences the publichouses in town were ordered to close during the day, and the person who had purchased licenses for the refreshment booths at the sports was also ordered to close the same. The Irish mobs had been collected from all parts of the country by means of telegraph communication, aud arrived early this morning by train from the North and South, and by means of conveyances from the outlying districts. The town since is very quiet.