THE REFORM AGITATION.

West Coast Times, Issue 312, 22 September 1866, Page 2

THE REFORM AGITATION.

On the 23rd July a great reform demonstration took place in Hyde Park, which led to a most deplorable collision between the people and the police. It appears that the Reform League, through their President, Mr Beales, a barrister, had previously announced their determination to hold a Reform meeting in Hyde Park. Mr. Secretary Walpole ordered Sir Richard Mayne, Commissioner of Police, to issue a public notice that the Park was intended for the recreation of the public, and that meetings would not be allowed there. The ' Leaders of the Reform League replied that the Park was the property of the • people, and persisted in their right to hold the meeting. Large processions of working men formed Jit various points of the city, and marched to the Park. On their arrival at the Park, they found the gates closed, and an eutrance prevented by a large body of police. Mr Beales and his colleagues demanded admission ; but were refused ; and the procession then moved on to Trafalgar Square, where a large meeting was peacefully held. A mob, however, remained about the Park gates, and after a time they came into collision with the police force stationed there, broke down the railings, and forced their way into the Park. The military were then called out, aud speedily succeeded in clearing the enolosure. Many persons were taken prisoners by the police, and were • brought up at the Court next morning, charged with having assaulted the- police, and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.

On the 24th July disturbances were again renewed between the people and the police. A large crowd had assembled in the Park, including many women and children, and they could not be dispersed until the police had used their truncheons freely.

Great excitement prevailed throughout the metropolis, and on the 25th a deputation from the Reform League, headed by Mr Beales, waited upon Mr Secretary Walpole respecting these disturbances. All the speakers of the deputation concurred in representing the excited state of public feeling, and their apprehension of further disturbances, unless the police and military were withdrawn. They further stated that the object of the Reform League in persisting in their attempt to hold a meeting, was to try the legal right of the Government to exclude the people from the Park. Mr Secretary Walpole replied that the Government would afford every facility for the settlement of the legal question. It was arranged that, in the meantime, the Reform League are to take no further steps to assert their alleged legal right to the Park ; the Government promising that the police and military should make no further demonstration. After leaving the Home Office, Mr Beales and his colleagues proceeded -to Hyde Park, and announced , to the people present the decision of the Government, as promising to see the question legally decided as speedily as possible. The police in the meantime withdrew, and no further disturbance occurred^.