POLITICAL DEMONSTRATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 388, 5 September 1874, Page 3

POLITICAL DEMONSTRATION.

L'UENIXG OF EFFIGIES. {From (he. Auckland "Evening Star.") On Saturday niglil tLc streets of Auckland were enlivened by one of those popular demonstrations wbich not unusually mark strong political indignation. At the close of the public meeting on Thursday evening it became known that it war intended to burn in effigy the Premier of New Zealand and several of the supporters of his resolutions, for aggrandising the South Island by the subjection and spoliation of the North. Those members who from their connection with Auckland weie regarded as having betrayed the cause were especially obnoxious, and expectation was on the tip-toe for the anticipated event. The streets of tho city were accordinlr from an early hour in the evening unusually crowded fey a. concourse o£ crcry class, and scs, and age, and the delay in the commencement at length induced a considerable number to take their departure under the impression that the report was T a sell, oi? that something had interposed to prevent the demonstration. Shortly before nine o'clock, however, the crowds began to move towards Upper Queenstreet, and soon that portion of the thoroughfaro was choke full and impassable with an amused and excited crowd. Presently torches were seen gleaming, and an express van appeared bearing figures that to the people for a time seemed real. The horse was drapeJ in black, and on him was seated an eiligy of Mr. Yogel, bearing a remarkable resemblance to that statesman. Mr. Yogel was bearheaded, his hair characteristically parted in the centre and Binning with tar. In the front on the waggon stood a tall figure, a fair representation of Mr. Reader Wood, and by his side a figure bearing not a bad resemblance to Mr. William Buckland. In the rear stood two other figures, one representing in face and figure Mr. Creighton, and by his side a somewhat gaunt figure with, tlw right hand holding an eye-glass to his eye, in the left a pail. This figure bore the name of Mr. Luckie. The figures weie all life-size and being properly clothed, and, excepting the leading figure, having hats somewhat battered on their heads, presented the most grotesque appearance. The excitement and amusement of tfhe people was of the nvjat uproarious description. As the procession proceeded down the street, the tor::h.be'arers accompanying, the crowd' which must have numbered five or six thousand, gave characteristic vent to their feelings, and we are informed that the uproar was heard several miles from the city. It must be admitted, however, that the sense of the ludicrous predominating for the time over the feeling of indignatian and that good humour and fun, rather than anything like maliciousness, swayed the current of human beings that rolled down our principal street. The pose of Mr. Yogel would make Soloman lauqfh. The Premier's left hand was fastened to the rein 3, and he had some loose attachment to the tail board of the vehie'e, so that his motions were free and unimpeded. He swayed forward on the horse's neck, then swung up majestically, while his right arcn from some pecularity at the elbow-joint swung out from time to time at right angles, aa if he was addressing the crowd. The motion of the horse's head on the reins I made him appear as if he was driving like fury, and with the oratorical demonstrations of the right arm the effect was indescribably amusing. Mr. Reader Wood stood up majestically, the motion of the vehicle making him notl his head at the pc >ple as if in d isapprohation. Mr Buckland looked stern and fierce. Mr. Creighton appeared to hang his head, and keep his hat down over his eyes. Mr Luckie somehow dropped the pail shortly after starting, but he continued to the last looking through the eyeglass at the people who surged and swelled around the cart. On passing the "Cross" office the crowds groaned vigorously for Mr Yogel. Over the "newlymacadamised portions 'of the street the I shaking of the vehicle gave extraordinary animation to the figures, and Mr. Yogel seemed frantic 'in his efforts at keeping his steed to the work. Away up Shortland-street the throng rolled onward, while many hundreds rushed through Vulcan lane and swarmed ' up the Barrack hill. At the junction of Queen and Short-land-streets the throng was so dense that it j was feared some accident would occur, and several persons fell and had narrow escapes from being trampled. We are pleased to learn, however, that beyond a few bruises and seme burns in tho after proceedings, no injury occurred, nor was there anything like a riotous and disorderly spirit manifested by any one, good temper universally prevailing. By the time the procession had reached the Barrack square proximity _to the Premier had led tho crowd to undue 'familiarity with Mr. Yogel, and several had been lighting matches and poking them against his clothing. At length these amateur attempts disturbed the order of the programme, for the fire reaching the combustibles in his inwards, the Premier was in a blaze. The drapery'on the horse also caught, and for a moment or two there was a risk o? the animal being bu?!i»d. With difficulty they severed the couplings, and the blazing minister was flung to the ground on his back. The procession proceeded, leaving Mr. Yogel to his fate, Mr Luckie still looking back through his eye-glass, as if in regret that in death they should thus be divided. On Mr. Yogel touching earth he was rushed onby the crowd, who struggled round his blazing form At length one caught him by the arms, and another by the hind, leg, and, like a' rocket _sr a obooting star, the Prime Minister was seen soaring heavenward, coming down on the sward with a thundering thud. Mr. Yogel burned well, and long after all his followers had been consumed, a crowd stood around his remains, the fumes whereof they persistently affirmed were distinctly sulphurous. After unshipping the Premier the procession had proceeded, but it was soon apparent that the impatience of the crowd, manifested by sticks | and other missiles projected at the heads of the figures, would not enable the conductors to carry out the original plan. The gallows, with ropes aud hooks, were among the furnishings of the funeral ear, but lambent flames running up the coats presently showed that the amateurs were again at work, and that the legislators must be taken to earth, or the destructeon of the equipage would be the result. Already the form of Mr Wood was wreathed in blazes and effotts were made to detach him from the fixings. He preserved a sublime indifference, and when dismounted and borne aloft in procession, supported by two bearers, each holding a leg, he moved not a muscle At length he was seen shooting skyward, the dripping tar making it unpleasant to hi 3 bearers. Mr Buclban-1 was brought to earth wrapped in fire. He burned with extraordinary rapidity, so that nobody durst go near him. In a few minutes he was consumed. Mr. Creighton, after being battered a bit, was left to burn out in a corner. Mr. Luckie kept his eye-glass up to the last, and even when his Ijpad was knocked off by a backhander from some enthusiastic admirer of a free press, ths right hani bore aloft the e}-e-glaßs opposite to where the eve ought to be. Mr. Luckie' burned slowly aiv.l died hard. The last dying speech of each, as well as the gallows and ropes were in readiness, but owing to the oavnestness of the amateur assistants the after part was curtailed. Crowds gathered round each blazing form, which from time to time wasjiung aloft to the no inconsiderable risk of the spectators. At length, after three ringing cheers for Mr. O'Rorke, and three for tho " Evening Star," the crowds dispersed.