THE JUBILEE MEETING. Wild and Disorderly Scenes.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 211, 16 July 1887, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE JUBILEE MEETING. Wild and Disorderly Scenes.

The meeting held in the Exhibition, Prince Albert Park, in connection with the proposed Jubilee school-treat, and the establishment of a Queen's Fund for the relief of indigent women, proved, as it had been anticipated it would, one of the largest as well as the most remarkable which has ever taken place in the Australian colonies. The gathering was in reality a monster demonstration made by the loyal sections of the community in disavowal of the action of those disloyalists who succeeded in rendering the two previous meetings held in the Town Hall for the purpose of arranging for the Jubilee school treat abortive. The members of G5 Orange lodges attended for the purpose of preserving order, and there were also 320 policemen and a large body of Volunteers in the building, while a force of mounted constabulary was outside in readiness to render service. The Mayor presided, and there wero over 10,000 persons in the hall, while an equal number were left outside. The proceedings were very noisy throughout, and it was quite an impossibility to hear a single word of the addresses uttered from any spot outside the immediate vicinity of the speaker. The resolutions were put by means of a signal board, and the orations were so much dumb show. Afcer the first resolution was declared to be carried, the barrier in front of the platform gave way under the terrible pressure

behind, a protecting Kne of University students was broken through, and the crowd was driven right on to the platform. The reporters' table was crushed, the Mayor and the Chairman, Sir Alfred Stephen, the Ministers of Education and Justice were compelled to retire in amongst the Committee ot the back and seek positions of less danger. Fighting on the edge of the platform became pretty general, tho police being at first powerless to quell the disturbance or even clear the platform ; the police organisation now appeared hopelessly inefficient. At length, after the reporters' and chairman's tables had been smashed up, a number of blue jackets and police lined up, and formed a defiant body, evidently prepared to defend the position to the best of their ability. Among those on the platform who wore roughly handled was the Right Hon. \V. B. Dalloy, who had to bo assisted oil' tho platform and out of the building by fiiends. He appeared to be su fieri ng severely, and as he is in a delicate state of health, the consequences may bo serious. Sir John Robertson had also to bu escorted out, but he was unhurt. Tho Mayor at this stage saw that there was no chance of continuing the pioceedings and announced, although ho could not be heard a foot away on either side of him, that he would put the resolutions of the second meeting in reference to the suggested Queen's Fund and would take the sense of the people present on them without them being spoken to. .Jus>t at this time a burst ot cheering from those near the northern entrance announced that something had occurred or somebody had come, and in a few minutes, escorted by the Premier and other gentlemen, Loul and Lady Cnrringlon appeared, making their way as best they could through the packed crowd on the platform to the front. Their appearance A\as the .signal for a tremendous demonstration, hats were Hung up in the air, and the vast audience appeal ed lor <i time to lose their heads with enthusiasm. His Excellency and Lady Caiiington acknowledged the reception, and, b .tli smiling, appeared rather to enjoy the animated scene around them. Tho Mayor then put i the resolution in fa\ our of the establishment of the Queen's Fund, and this was eariied in the same enthusiastic manner. Cheers were then given for Lady Cariington, who gracefully boved in acknowledgment, and then withdrew, tho stiains of the National Anthcm^ung by the assemblage, following them until they reached their carriage. With their departure irec fights beenme rather the rule than the exception, but the strength of the police and of the Orangemen, who had by this time regained their lost place, was too great, and the most noisy of those opposed to them Mere inn out with scant ceremony. For a time there was every appearance of a general riot impending, but the good humour that had characterised tho gieat body oftheciowd during the evening was maintained, whilst the di.splay of force on the p.ut of the authorities was sufficient to pie\Cnt anything more than small disconnected combats being -vsaged in different parts of the building-. The gas was turned paitially out shortly afterwards, and it was then only that the crowd would leave the building. A few free tights kept the police busy in various paits of the building for a consideiable time, A loyal and loquacious Jack Tar created a sensation by a short address from the platform. He called for* three cheeis for the " Royal Navy," which was heartily responded to. A seaman belonging to H. M.S. Diamond received a severe blow on the back of his head, which rendered him unconscious-, and necessitated his removal to the Sydney Hospital. The scene for fully an hour beggars description, and was literally the nearest approach to tho proverbial Donnybrook Fair that has ever been seen in Sydney. Hats and sticks went iiying in all directions, and several free lights took place, even after the police had pomewhafc cleared the building.