THE DEMONSTRATION IN THE THEATRE ROYAL.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 61, 20 October 1864, Page 3

THE DEMONSTRATION IN THE THEATRE ROYAL.

On it being made generally known to the public on Tuesday morning that the inhabitants (with the exception of those specially invited by the Committee of Management) would not be afforded an opportunity of joining in the celebration of the opening of the railway, by an excursion up the line, it was immediately resolved that a popular demonstration should be got up among themselves in honor of the occasion. A working committee was soon formed, and in a very short space of time subscriptions to the amount of £15 were made towards defraying the expense of an entertainment in the Theatre Royal in the ' evening— The Provincial Brass Band was engaged for the occasion, and every effort was made to render the affair successful. At eight o'clock in the evening accordingly, the doors o£ the Theatre Hoyal were thrown open, and bhehu'ilding was soon crowded from floor to ceiling with an assembly, amongst whom we observed, many influential citizens, but who had been of those not invited to take part in the formal opening of the railway. On the motion of Mr. G-obdon, Mr. John Munro was called to the chair. The CHAiBMAir then said : — Ladies and Grentlemen — It requires, I think, very little explanation on my part to inform you of the objects of the present meeting. The feeling manifested in town during the day, regarding the arrangements which had been made for the opening of the railway, is pretty well known. The Committee of Management intended that the day should be one of enjoyment and rejoicing, but as many do not sympathise with their arrangements, it was considered desirable that an entertainment should be got up independent of any action on their part. I hope that although we have been debarred from partaking in the enjoyment on the occasion of the opening of the Oreti Railway, that all those present will conduct themselves in such a manner as might have entitled them to be numbered amongst those invited, and that nothing will be done which might stamp the proceedings with an improper character. In the intervals between the dances I might say that a series of resolutions will be submitted to the meeting. (Applause.) The band being now stationed on th c stage, and the pit and stalls of the theatre cleared of the seats, dancing was commenced with great spirit and kept up with little intermission till past eleven o'clock During all this while the house was densely packed with enthusiastic spectators, but the greatest order and harmony prevailed throughout the entire evenings and the greatest satisfaction was expressed that the impromptu efforts of a few should have been so successful in the organising and conducting of a demonstration at. once so popular and so enthusiastic. . ■ The resolutions, which were moved, seconded, and carried, amidst loud.cheering, were the following, viz. : — 1. " That this meeting views with indignation and regret 'the- unfortunate manner in which the so-called opening of the first railway in the Province has been made. It is one of our public institutions — public property — and, as such, should have been opened to the public, uN^Bij^'tf wki<& public intaKHfet' «r4

i privileges iave been sacrificed te the gratification and enjoyment of a ,fewv" 2. ' lk That this meeting, while ■ deprecating the manner in which the opening of the railway has been made, attach no blame whatever., to .the contractor, Mr; J. R. Davies." - ; <. ,■<;■ ■,;•;-•• c-,fv;;' ■" ■ •3 "That the best thanks : of those present are: due to the committee of gen- ; tlemen originated " and have carried, out all the details of this successful entertainment." ' . 7 ;"-'JL vote of thanks was also tendered to the chairman, and three cheers were, given for "mine host " of the Provincial Hotel.;: .I;;:-/ ■. , . ■ ■" After singing the National Anthem, in which all /present joined, the crowded assemblage dispersed: The band, accompanied by a large number of followers, then proceeded to the residence of Mr. «T. R. Davies, the contractor for the railway, in Spey-stareet, where they halted in front ;of "the Jhbuse^ -Loud cheers were then given for Mr. Davies, and that gentleman appeared- in answer to, the call. He thanked them for' the honor they had done him," and begged to assure: them -that with the arrangements " for the. opening of the railway that day heliacl had nothing whatever to do, that he had, only been one of the invited guests him-' self. He was sorry that .the public had been debarredfrom more generally joining in the demonstration, but, intimated that on Monday next he had arranged to open the rail way to the public, . a 7 Loud and prolonged cheering were again given for Mr. Davies, after which the band struck up a lively air, and the crowd thereafter quietly returned to their homes, the utmost order and regularity | having been manifested throughout the entire proceedings.