LOYAL DEMONSTRATION AT PRINCE ALFRED'S ESCAPE.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 203, 25 March 1868, Page 2

LOYAL DEMONSTRATION AT PRINCE ALFRED'S ESCAPE.

Loyalty reigns supreme amongst the great majority of the citizens of Ilokitika ; and if any doubts existed on that point, last night's proceedings must have effectually dispelled them ; for, considering tlieir impromptu character, we venture to say that a more hearty or demonstrative display of fealty to the Throne, aud exulting at the escape of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh (Grod bless and preserve him !) could not have been desired by the most fastidious upholders of tho Monarchy. We can only hope that tho

rejpiciugs wore not premature, and that tho next mail from Australia will bring us the pleasing assurance of Prince Alfred's certain recovery. ' The news of the dastardly deed that laid the " Sailor Boy" low, and which reached town by telegram on Saturday night, was confirmed by telegrams subsequently received on Sunday, and thrilled the community here with horror and indignation too dcop for expression. The town was wrapped in gloom—men walked about downcast and desponding, or assembling in knots, discussed in subdued tones the probability of the John Perm's news being either true, or one of those monstrous canards that originating no one knows

how, for a time receive credence, and excite beyond description the usually so phlegmatic British public. Further news was eagerly looked for, and as it was known that tho steamer Kangitoto, supposed, to have the Suez mail on board, would leave Melbourne on or about the 16th inst., and was therefore duo at the Bluff, and must bring confirmation or otherwise of the reported assassination, public anticipation was wound up to a pitch of painful excitement—the telegraph office being fairly besieged yesterday by folks eager to catch, if possible, the first whisper of the wires from Bluff Harbour. To their intense disappointment it soon became known that the line was down between Timaru and Dunedin. For many hours torturing suspense prevailed, but communication was at last restored, and the Rangitoto's arrival at the Bluff announced, but without the English mail. That, however, was nothing. Did she bring news of the Prince was a question oft repeated, but not answered until three hours later, when a special message was flashed through to this paper, and published immediately afterwards as an " Extraordinary," its tenor being that the Prince had been wounded, but not fatally, and that he was doing well. Thank God! was the universal ejaculation that followed, mingled with curses, " not loud, but deep," upon the head of the dastardly wretch who fired the shot, and upon the murderous faction to which he belonged—for the telegram, in plain terms, stated that he was a Fenian.

Mere words, however,proved insufficient safety-valves to carry off the excess of feeling engendered by the the receipt of the above joyful news for it was joyful to many who feared that the " youug man's" earthly career had been cut short. A demonstration was speedily set on foot by Mr Osborne of the Empire Hotel, and Mr Hungerford, timber merchant, who, with the sonsent of his "Worship the Mayor, made preparations for a monster bonfire in the Municipal reserve. Load after load of wood was carted to the place, barrels of tar were contributed by shipping firms,amongst them Messrs Spence Bros. ; the Eire Brigade agreed to muster in force and in full uniform, and it was also arranged that the members of the Philharmonic Society should assemble on the ground and sing the National Anthem, to which one verse —expressly composed by Mr Button—had been added to suit the occasion.

Everybody seemed beside himself with excitement. An adjourned meeting of the Town Council Avas held, but the contagion even extended to the "grave and reverend seignors," for after sitting a short time,during which the " order of the day " was neglected and a series of congratulatory resolutions passed instead, they broke up in "admired disorder," and joined in the general jubilee outside. Another section of the public broke ground on this occasion, and added not a little to the general effect. We allude to the volunteers, who, for the first time, appeared in public, and under command of the drill instructor, Sergeant "Wilson, paraded the streets in marching order. It was a general drill night, and the company mustered in strength at Hansen's Assembly Eoom, which, being altogether too small for the evolutions of so large a number, Captain Eitz Gerald decided to give them a taste of a little active services outside. The word to fall in was given, but was scarcely obeyed ere the ominous sound of the fire-bell pealed out an alarm, and threw the company into confusion, the members beiug naturally anxious for the safety of their respective properties. The alarm, however, proved groundless, as it was quickly ascertained that the bell merely notified the lighting of the bonfire. Order being restored, the men marched two deep out of the room, then along Gibson's Quay, and up Tancred street —by this time all aglow with the lurid glare of the fire, round which a shouting crowd had assembled. Arrriving at the Weld street junction, the company wheeled to the left, formed four deep, and marched down Eovell-street, North, occasionally halting and going through sundry evolu-

(ions in a very creditable manner. The return to the Assembly-room was effected in a like manner, and, the roll being called, the word " dismiss " was given, and the majority of tho company hastened to the bonfire, preceded by the Philharmonic Society, who also had fouud a corner in Mr Hansen's hospital establishment wherein to practice. The scene in the old Camp Reserve was truly imposing and grand. Tho huge pile of blazing logs, surmounted with tar barrels spoutiug fire, lit up the expanse of tho reserve and tho several streets adjoining it, which were thronged with people, whilst at least 1500 had assembled around the tire, and ever and anon gave vent to their enthusiasm by shoutling lustily. Conspicuous amongst them, by their red shirts and white helmets, were the members of the Fire Brigade, and, to avert the possibility of accident in the in the event of a rising wind scattering the sparks, the fire-engine was brought upon the ground, and the hose laid on in readiness to " douse" the fire. Suddenly the sweet sound of the National Anthem, sung by beautifully-trained voices, arose upon the night air, and charmed the crowd ro silenco until the refrain came. Then two thousand tongues poured forth that prayer set in such glorious music—

Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over lis, God save the Queen! The effect produced by these soulstirring words is indescribable. ' Hats were cast up, hankerchiefs thrown to the wind, and for several minutes the cheering was absolutely deafening. The song proceeded, the temiuation of each verse calling forth a burst of enthusiasm, that culminated in a torrent of applause when Mr Button gave the following ln?s—-

God save our noble Queen, Long spare our noble Queen, To Thee we look ; Restore her gallant son, Who all our love hath won, May he be harmed by none, God Save the Duke ! Again and again -was the burden repeated, and then such cheers were raised for the "Duke," "The sailor boy," " The brave young prince," and the dozen other endearing terms improvised and applied to him by so many different voices. Then his Eoyal Mother was cheered to the echo, her name being coupled with those of Law and Order, and the glorious Consl.tu tion of Old England. The Mayor and Council of ITokitika next received an ovation that was specially directed to the Five who so fearlessly did their duty at a late stormy sitting of the Council.

Mr Councillor Button was called upon to respond, and did so in a congratulatory speech that merits a fuller report than our time and space will permit of. It must suffice if we saythat Mr Button's expressed sentiments were heartily responded to by the crowd. Then the word " good night," was said, it havingbcen first understood and agreed to that Wednesday (tomorrow) should be kept as a general holiday in commemoration of Prince Alfred's narrow escape from death. The crowd dispersed, and the glowing embers of the bonfire were soon quenched by a copious stream of water poured on them by the Brigade. Amongst the demonstrations of the evening, by no means the least impressive was the enthusiasm with which the National Anthem was received at the City Theatre, and the chorus joined in by the audience, uncovered and upstanding. The house was densely packed in every part on the occasion of the benefit of Mr J. E. Taylor—in boxes, stalls, pit, and vestibule there was scarcely standing room, and may estimate the attendance at not less than eight hundred- persons. On the first chords of the glorious old patriotic song of '• God Save the Queen" being struck, the whole audience rose en masse, and long and loud were the plaudits with which each verse was received. Nothing could have been more conclusive as to the real feeling of the people here.