HOLIDAY TO COMMEMORATE THE ESCAPE OF H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 205, 27 March 1868, Page 2

HOLIDAY TO COMMEMORATE THE ESCAPE OF H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

Mr Tylor proposed that Dr. Giles take the chair. Dr. Giles, who was well received, said —Gentlemen, —l have been suddenly called to take tho chair, and as I have not been informed of tho object of the meeting I will let the advertisement speak for itself. Ho then read tho advertisement and said, that from the unanimity displayed at the volunteer meeting just over, I anticipate the same feeling now, I have only one objection to the subject, and that is that it may be rather premature, ae whilst we were rejoicing the Duko might be dead. Tho information recoived is very conflicting, and we are not in a position to tell what the effect of the gunshot wound may be. Ido not wish to damp the feeling of respect and love felt for the son of the Queen, but I think it wil be imprudent to fix a very early day, but I think it is advisable to form a committee to take any necessary and advisable steps in the matter. lam quite sure that the feeling of reprobation and abhorrent repugnance is unanimous at the dastardly attempt to kill the son of our Queen, whose only fault was being so. Here the enthusiasm was most deafening and it was some minutes before the speaker could resume He then called on Mr Tyler to propose the first resolution which he did, premising by stating that the only objection to an early day would be the uncertainty yet hanging over the fate of the Duke. The resolution was as follows: " That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a public holiday should be proclaimed in Westpert on Wednesday next, to enable the inhabitants to demonstrate their detestation and disgust at the late attempt to assassinate the Duke of Edinburgh. Mr. Munro seconded the resolution, which was unanimously carried* Mr Pitt moved—That the following gentlemen, viz. : Messrs Fleming, Munro, Pitt, M'Dowell, Powell, Crate, Baillie, Pyrie, Watson, Rowlands, Field, Rockstrow, Haller, Parry, D. Leslie, Spencer, Munson, Gillibrand, Eeid, King, Cowley, Hughes, and Tyler, be appointed a committee to carry out the programme for the holiday. Mr Radcliffe seconded the resolut/foa which was carried unanimously. Mr Pitt proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, who called on all present to give three cheers for the Queen and Royal Family. This was done in a most enthusiastic manner, and the national anthem, including the verse composed by Mr Button, of Hokitika, was then struck up, and joined in bv all persons in the room. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Before J. Giles, Esq., M.D, R.M. Thursday, March 26. drunk a> t d incapable, John Foster, who represented himself as a night watchman, was charged with being found drunk and incapable, underneath Messrs. Fleming and Parry's verandah. Sergeant Williams, deposed—l saw defendant very drunk on "Wednesday evening and without his cap, underneath the verandah of Messrs Fleming and Parry. He said he was looking for bis cap, and that he was a night watchman, I assisted him to find his cap, but on my arresting him for drunkenness he resisted me, and I had to call Constable Priugle to assist me in taking him to the lock-up. Constable Pringle corroborated this evidence, and the magistate sentenced defendant to pay a fine of 10s., or the alternative of 12 hours' imprisonment. EMBEZZLEMENT. William Henry Tyler was charged at the instance of John Duff, a produce merchant residing in Westport, with feloniously and fraudulently embezzling the sum of £6 19s. 3d., the property of complainant, and entrusted to prisoner as servant, for his employer, John Duff. Mr Inspector Franklyn applied for a remand, as the witnesses in the case lived at the Caledonian Terrace, and sufficient time had not elapsed for him to subpoena them. The magistrate granted the application for adjournment, and remanded the prisoner until Tuesday next. The Court then adjourned until 10 a.m. this day.