HOKITIKA.

Southland Times, Issue 927, 3 April 1868, Page 5

HOKITIKA.

FENIAN DISTURBANCE. MATTEES LOOK THREATENING-. .800 SPECIAL CONSTABLES ENROLLED. TWO COMPANIES OF VOLUNTEERS UNDERARMS. GREAT EXCITEMENT. The Irish Celtic cross was removed from the cemetery on Wednesday, and broken. In consequence, a general meeting of the Irish Fenians was gammoned at Hokitika. The chairman of the County Council (James Bonar, Esq., late of Invercargill,) would not permit the re-erection of the cross, and threatened to disperse any procession or other tumultuous assemblage. The Magistrates swore in 800 special constables. Great excitement existing. The Eoman Catholic Bishop of "Wellington sent a special priest to Hokitika, and has forbidden his people to re-erect the cross in the cemetery. It is not known whether he will be obeyed. No sympathy is expressed with the disturbers of the peace. Captain G-erard Fitzgerald (late of Invercargill) has enrolled two companies of Volunteers. Wellington, Saturday^ — A second monster meeting was held last night. It was most crowded and enthusiastic, and emphatically the people's meeting. Cracroft "Wilson and other Pokaikai Commissioners returned from Patea last night. They do not consider Major M'Donnell has been guilty or cruelty or any other alleged unsoldierly acts in attacking Pokaikai Pah in October, 1867. In consequence of the news received during the night of the arrest of Larkin at Hokitika, and the swearing-in of 100 special constables, the Government has ordered the steamer St. Kilda to Patea for 65 or 70 of the armed constabulary force to go direct to' Hokitika. Eichmond sailed for Auckland yesterday. Only Major Eichardson and Colonel Haultain here. Cblristchurch, Monday.. — Loyal demonstration most universal. Christchurch turned out in monster procession through the city — enormous gathering. Latimer, Esq., Chairman of City Council, took the chair. People addressed by Superintendent, G-. V. Bowen, Eeeves, Tanered, E. H. Ehodes, Montgomery, Hall and Oliver. Enthusiasm unbounded. ! Wellington, Monday. -^lnhabitants of Auckland again disappointed. Expected Governor to arrive on 25th. News of attempted assassination had not reached previously. Census gives population as 48,321, being increase since last return of 6189.