Mr F. Lyster's Explanation.

Southland Times, Issue 922, 25 March 1868, Page 3

Mr F. Lyster's Explanation.

The following letter appeared in the " Ballarat Evening Post" of Saturday : — Sir, — Allow, me to defend myself from the attack made on me, and to explain what I really did say to Messrs Lee and Bond. In conversing about the shameful outrage committed on His Eoyal Highness, Mr Bond said that the scoundrelly Fenians were at the bottom of it, whereupon I replied that I did not believe Fenianism had anything to do with it, as I thought it was the act of a a lunatic, like the boy Oxford, who fired at the Queen. I also said that I could not see what good it could do to the Fenians to shoot a person who had nothing to say to the matter, but was travelling for his amusement. I likewise remarked that the Protestant-hall outrage in Melbourne was nearly as bad, and that I would be equally sorry for the Prince or fora poor man; that, of course, in common with every man who was not a ruffian. I deplored and reprobated the murderous attempt ; but I did not think any one in his senses would be guilty of it. I utterly and unqualifiedly deny having used any of the low and blackguard language attributed to me, nor did I speak one word in disrespect of the Eoyal Family or the institutions of the country we live. in. I strongly object both to Fenians and Orangeism, and think that all old world quarrels should be left behind, and that . here we should all be Australians, and do our best .as loyal and peaceable subjects of Her Majesty and good citizens of the land we live in. — I am, &c, Feed. Ltstee. The following additional particulars l are from the " Argus " correspondent at Ballarat:—Public feeling was a little more sharply whetted to-day, owing to the unsatisfactory proceedings at the Theatre Eoyal last night in'connection with the charge against Mr Frederick Lyster of having used seditious and disgusting language towards Prince Alfred and the Eoyal Family. The particulSrs of this affair are that Mr Henry Lee, J.P., and Mr Thomas Bond, a miner, voluntarily stated to reveral parties that on the night the first Sydney telegram was received at the cafe Mr F. Lyster used words expressing approval of the outrage ; and also said . further, " that he did not believe in any son of a— — of a Eoyal Highness being a better man than himself." Mr "W. S. Lyster publicly denied last»night at the theatre that he had used any such expressions, but as he was not charged with having done so, his denial did not affect his brother ; and after the performance wa3 over Mr F. Lyster was waited upon, and asked for an explanation. He emphatically denied ever having approved of the outrage, but gave a somewhat qualified denial to the use of the last expression, and as it was late he offered to meet his accusers to-day, and defend himself. Accordingly, at two o'clock, a public meeting, attended by nearly a thousand persons, among whom were a great many of our most respectable townsmen, was held in the Mechanics' Institute, Mr C. Dyte, M.L.A., presiding. The Messrs Lyster and Mr Lee were present, but Mr Bond was not, havingto attend at tfie" Court of Mines. Mr F. Lyster addressed the meeting, and again distinctly denied that he had ever used language which could be construed into .'approval [of a J crime which he denounced as an atrocious i attempt at murder. The remark he made i relative to a prince was not intended; he ■! said, to apply to Prince Alfred specially, but to princes and kings generally. . Mr Lee said that what he stated had been misrepresented. He did not recollect: saying that Lyster had expressed] approval of the outrage, and he certainly, did not say that he had used.;. the. expression "Bon of a ." Gentlemen to whom Mr Lee had made these

statements came forward and contradicted him ; and Mr Thos. King also stated he had heard Mr F. Lyster say distinctly that he did not care if the Prince and all the Eoyal Family were shot, as long as he was not. Mr W. S. Lyster begged off le meeting to judge the matter calmly ; he had heard of remarks being made as to adopting a line of conduct that would seriously injure — in fact, ruin him. He did not come forward to defend his brother if he was guilty : but he could not believe he had ever used the language attributed to him ; and he begged of the meeting, if they decided to condemn his brother, not to condemn him at the same time. No complaint had been laid against him, not and member of his company, except his brother. The chairman having pointed out that the meeting had nothing to do with judging of the conflicting statements between Mr Lee and those he had spoken to on the subject, but whether Mr F. Lyster had told Mr Lee what was represented, and if so, what course of action was to be taken. Sever ;1 gentlemen addressed the meeting. Mr Carpenter at last proposed a motion to the effect, that Mr Lyster be requested to express his regret at having used any language calculated to question his loyalty to the Prince, and his affection to the throne. This was at first received with evident marks of dissatisfaction ; but after one or two speakers had counselled moderation and justice to all parties, and pointed out the fact that the statement made by Mr Lee to persons of credibility being now denied by that gentleman, the meeting should consider how far they should take his word as to what Mr Lyster had said. A most absurd amendment was proposed by Mr W. J. Clark, that the Lyster Opera troupe had forfeited the confidence of the people of Ballarat ; but it met with no seconder, and fell to the ground. The motion was finally carried by a large majority, and Mr F. Lyster came forward and said he certainly did regret, and that most sincerely, haying used any ungarded expressions that could be thought disloyal, and he apologised for having done so ; but he certainly must still deny that he ever used any language approving of such a diabolical crime as O'Farrell had com mitted. Three cheers were then called for the Prince, and three tor the Queen, which were responded to most enthusiastically, and the meeting broke up. Mr W. S. Lyster expressed much gratification at the generous treatment he had met with.