THE BELFAST RIOTS. Rep rt of the Commission,

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 200, 23 April 1887, Page 5

THE BELFAST RIOTS. Rep rt of the Commission,

Tin: leport of the Commission appointed to inquire into the Belfast riots was issued on Monday. It states that 201 Avitnesses were examined, includi ig the Mayor of Belfast, a number of magistrates (resident and borough), several military officers, police of all ranks, and a number of citizens, fairly representing all classes, interests, and religious parties in the community. The report then preceeds to deal in detail with the incidents and circumstances attending the riots of June and J uly, and the Commissioners state that the evidence leads them to believe that the riots at a very early period, and certainly from and after the Bfcb Jane, assumed to a great extent the aspect of a determined attack by the Protestant mobs upon the police and upon places of business of Catholics residing ins Protestant quarters of the town. Of course there were retaliations and faults on both sides, but the principal actors in the rioting were what is known as the Protestant mob' The Commissioners are of opinion that the comparative good conduct of the Catholics must be largely attributed to the zealous exertions of the Catholic bishop and clergy, who laboured persistently in the cause of peace, and who excerised over their people a great and most beneficial influence. Regarding the action of the police, the Commissioners express the opinion that they made mistakes and did acts which cannot be defended. Viewing their acts, as a whole, however, the police did their duty well, 1 under almost unparalleled trials, and they especially commend the conduct of the Royal Irish Constabulary, whom they recommend should be maintained for the future as the police force of Belfast. Various recommendations are made for the future control and administration of that force. The Commissioners conclude with an expression of regret that Commander M'Hardy was unable to agree with the report, and he would present a separate one. A Belfast correspondent telegraphed on Tuesday : The report of the Riots Commission is warmly being discussed here. The " Northern Whig" (Unionist Liberal) says : — The commissioners have sought to do their duty in a.; impartial spirit, and have drawn conclusi -is generally supported by the evidence on \/hich they had to decide, — The "Morning News" (Nationalist) does not agfee with all the commissioners have stated, but says : — "The report, on the whole, is a valuable one, and some Government, if not the present one, will have to act upon it. — The " Newsletter (Conservative) challenges several recommendations of the commisioners, and says : — The tone pervading the review of the evidence will certainly not help to command the report to the greater number of the inhabitants of Belfast.