INCIDENTS OF THE FENIAN DEMONSTRATION.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 197, 18 March 1868, Page 2

INCIDENTS OF THE FENIAN DEMONSTRATION.

(from another correspondent.) One of the main features of the demonstration was its orderly character, and the determination on tho part of the leaders of the movement, to preserve the solemnity of tho occasion. The nearest approach to the number of persons forming the procession waa SIG, and this may be put forward as correct, as several people agreed to the tally; no doubt the whole of the persons who came from the flat were present, but Ave are informed that several more were prevented from various causes from swelling the ranks, as over 700 people were expected by the leaders. During the speeches, some slight disturbance occurred, but Dr Donovan put it down by exclaiming, " any man who wears green this day, and is the cause of any row, is a disgrace both to his cause and to his country." This had the desired effect, and the rest of tho speeches were listened to with markedattentiou. Eloquence is a proverbial trait of an Irishman, and the speeches did no harm to this truism. Great interest seemed excited in Williams, one of the speakers, a "Welshman, who was stated to be the grandson of Zephaniah Williams, who was transported for participation in the Chartist Riots, and whose career in Tasmania was brighter than his English one, for ho became the proprietor of a coal mine, and ammassed considerable wealth. The speeches ended, the whole of the crowd, with few exceptions, took boat and returned to Addison's Flat. The ladies in the procession mustered strong, and marched at the head of the procession, dressed in the characteristic national color. The commencement of the day was fine and sunshiny, but clouds and rain marrecthe startof the procession, these were of short duration, and although rain set in at night, the whole of the Addison's Flat people would have time to reach their homes before it commenced. In connection with the event, the opening of the new Catholic Church, was very successful, and a considerable sum was collected at the morning service. The singing was good, and as several amateurs quite unconnected with the church gave their services, the choir was very full and effective, and the " Kyrie" and other portions of the mass were well sung. The church was not large enough to hold the number of worshippers, but thoso obliged to remain outside preserved the greatest decorum, and treated tho whole arrangements iu a most solemn manner. Vespers were held in the evening, when the same choir, with its number augumented, sang very nicely, and tho Catholics may congratulate themselves on such a happy opening of their new church, which is the first Christian place of worship erected in the Buller. Apart from the political nature of the demonstration, wo must congratulate ourselves in living amidst a large population of Irishmen —of Fenian

sympathies—who could organiso and carry out a programme m such a decidedly creditable and orderly maimer, and as on tho platform the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Westport people, for their quiet reception of the procession, wo cannot do better than record a vote of thanks to the leaders of the movement, who by their exertions, so well preserved the Queen's peace.