TIMARU.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1166, 12 January 1880, Page 2

TIMARU.

(from ouk own correspondent. ) January 10. : You : have, of course, heard by wire all the interesting-details of the arrest of the rioters, unci thpir appearance before the Magisterial Bench. PHma fitcie cases were established, and they are all consigned to the tender mercies of his Honor Judge Ward and a jury at tho next sitting of the District Court—not the Supreme Court, as was reported in the Press. Intense excitement prevailed when it was made known that the alleged chief ringleader was a well-known publican, for ho had always bqon regarded as a very quiet, inoftbnsivo, and withal good-hearted fellow, It is supposed by some that, although he wrote tho unlucky letter calling upon tho " boys " to mustor, ho had some counsellors, worse men by far than, himself, having courage enough to incite others to the evil, or, in other words, to make the balls for tho simple to fire, but who aro so cowardly that \vl\ou some one must suffer as Qhief ol the plot, they tako good . oaru to keep woll in tho background, laughing in -.their sleeves at the clevov trick thoy have done, at tho cost of others who are not half -as s>v\\\tv as themselvoa. v

It appear from a legal standpoint, thw construction is not at all incongruous with Umflftn reason, for

everyday experience teaches us that the ■writer of a seditious.letter is seldom, if ever, the instigator of the offence. Thus,, following closely the rules of sound logic, it is compatible to suppose that the law has to a great extentmissed its aim; for, while 'one man is taken as the moat notoriously turbulent, justice must be diverted from fcne or more who should be placed sido by side with him. Were the police to dive a little deeper into this matter, it is not improbable that their efforts would be rewarded by the capture of some unworthy rascals to whom a few years, hard labor would prove an inestimable blessing.. The Hibertiian Hotel, which had been closed by a mandate of the Bench,, has been re-opened, and all ia restored to peace and order for the time being. But although the town enjoys perfect tranquility just now, it is quite impossible to guess with any degree of accuracywhat will be the effect produced by the sojourn of the noted ex-priest. It is generally understood -that: the, "Yellows" will constitute themselves a body guard to his Holiness, for-the purpose of protecting his venerable cranium from compound fracture ; at any rate that they will not see the .old s.eceder subjected * |to any very serious injtiry 6r insult, if it; ( is in their power to prevent it.' But how i much soever we may differ froin the other side on doctrinal pointsj let us earnestly hope that our Orange' friends will behave with becoming decency, and refrain from inflicting unnecessary pain on their antagonists. . ; The discussion in. St. Mary s, parish,: which was briefly noticed- in a former communication, is assuming proportions of greater magnitude. Very strong letters: on the side of moderation appear in the local Press, and how to settle matters nobody seems to know. The incumbent is silent, knowing full well that the services are in direct opposition to the nood of public opinion. A good deal of fun, if not angry words, will no doubt charac- . terise the next meeting of parishioners, for it is the intention of the moderate party, who appear to be in the ratio of nine to one, to let their voices be heard this time, and to insist upon the novelties that have made their appearance being utterly abolished. ' ' The contractors are creeping along with • the breakwater, which grand- undertaking is going to immortalise their names j for, like all similar works in small centres, it will be " the greatest in the world." The exact date on which this magnificent structure will be ready for practical purposes is not yet definitely known, but from its present appearance we may safely assert deep-sea vessels will lie under its protection some years before the millenium.