GREAT EXCITEMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 922, 25 March 1868, Page 2

GREAT EXCITEMENT.

.» Sydney, Maboh 12. To-day was observed as a general holiday, in consequence of the bailors' Home Pic-nic, which was very largely attended. Six steamers and both the yacht squadrons started for the scene, which was at a spot down Sydney Harbor. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, whilst attending a pic-nic at the Sailors' Home, and walking with the Countess of Belmore and Sir William Manning, a man named O'JFarrell, came behind him, and drawing a revolver, shot the Prince. He was firing a second shot, when the bystanders struck the pistol from his hand, and ssized the assassin. The bullet was then diverted, and went through Mr Thornton's foot. The would-be assassin has been recognised as H. J. O'Farrell, a lawyer's clerk, brother to a solicitor who practised some years ago in Melbourne, and levanted under disgraceful circumstances. He was living at Ballarat, and came here about three months ago. He fired at the Prince's back, when two paces off. The bullet entered two inches from the spine, passed through the muscles of the back, and round by the ribs to the front of the abdomen. Sir Win. Manning, seeing the Prince fall, and hearing the second report, threw himself down, while the crowd rushed to raise the Prince and seize the assassin, who was only saved being torn piecemeal by the exertion of the police and the Chief Justice, who got severely handled in aiding the police. Numerous attempts were made to tear the prisoner away, and his clothes were torn to shreds. When he was placed on board the steamer Paterson, to be taken to Sydney, the crew tried to seize him to lynch him. When he was searched, a second revolver, fully loaded, was found on him. He refused to give his name, but the police found out his lodgings, and seized a quantity of papers in his box, principally legal documents. Parliament was Bitting when the news was received, and immediately adjourned. The Prince was carried on board the steamer Morpeth about four o'clock, suffering intense pain. Two lines of citizens formed an avenue from the marquee to the steauer, and profound grief was manifested by them. Many ladies fainted as the Prince was borne by. He arrived in Sydney by five o'clock, and was conveyed to Government House. The wound is not thought to be mortal, though it causes great pain.

Thousands of people were at the wharf, expecting the Prince to land there. The most intense excitement prevails through the city. A fearful excitement then ensued, numbers of ladies fainting. The crowd rushed on the assassin, and endeavored to lynch him. The police interfered, and dragged the assassin on board a steamer. The assassin is reported to be an Irish Fenian. When the Prince fell he cried out, " My back is broken." /The sensation in Sydney is indiscri bable. The assassin, when searched, possessed a second revolver, fully loaded and capped. The Prince was carried to the Government House. He suffered intense pain. After enduring great agony the ball has been extracted. j One thousand pounds has been offered for the discovery of the assassin's accomplices. The Prince has been ordered home. He will not visit New Zealand. Numerous arrests have been made. Special prayers offered up for his recovery. Mounted armed patrols constantly m Sydney. Fenian demonstration threatened on St Patrick's Day. _ Intense excitement experienced m Melbourne, Adelaide and Queensland. The Prince is progressing favorably. He sat up to lunch. A monster meeting of civil servants was held at one o'clock, at which the Governor was present. The civil servants presented an address- on the occasion. The complete recovery of the Prince is only a matter of time. The surgeons pronounce him to be entirely free from danger. The ball entered the Prince's back about two inches to the right of the spine at the lower part of the back, and glanced round the upper part of the thigh under the skin. There is reason to believe that there is no injury of the internal organs. The assassin will be tried by a special commission. Fenianism, as it exists here, has received a solemn warning that no terms will be held with it. The Eoman Catholic clergy strongly denounce Fenianiam. Great horror of the assassination expressed on all sides and by all classes. There appears to be no doubt now that the assassin was connected with the Fenian organisation The authorities, at least, have information of his having been connected with a treasonable' conspiracy, and they have issued the following proclamation : — " Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, March 13, 1868. "ATTEMPTED MURDER. " £1000 Eewabd foe Accomplices. " Whereas, on Thursday, the 12th inst., an attempt was made to assassinate His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, by firing at him with a revolver; and whereas, before the assassin could be secured he had fired a second shot, wounding Mr George Thome ; and whereas, a man, giving the name of H. J. O'Farrell, has been arrested for the above crimes, there iB reason to believe the offender was acting in concert with, or by the direction of, others not in custody, or- \ ganised and associated together tor treasonable purposes. Notice is hereby given, that a reward of one thousand pounds will be paid by the Government for any information leading to the apprehension and conviction of each t and every accomplice of the abovenamed offender, whether residing in this or any of the adjacent colonies and further, that "in addition to such reward, His Excellency will be advised to extend Her Majesty's free pardon to any accomplice who shall first give the required information. (Signed) " Henbt Pabkes, " Inspector General of Police." O'Farrell states that twenty persons were in the conspiracy. The number was then reduced to ten, who drew lots as to who should assassinate the Prince. The Government intends prosecuting the proprietors of " Freeman's Journal" for sedetion, in an article on the Prince's recovery. The Commodore intends ordering the Galatea direct home ; but if change of air is required, he will stay for a fortnight in Tasmania. . The Bishop of Grafton with son and servant were drowned last evening.