ANOTHER ROW AT THE GREENSTONE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 482, 25 March 1869, Page 2

ANOTHER ROW AT THE GREENSTONE.

Information has reached Hokitika of another serious row haying takeu place at the Greenstone township on Friday evening last. It appears, says the West Coast Times, that during the latter part of last week a great number of the miners who had been celebrating St. Patrick's Day, were what is termed on the " spree," and of course fights were rife. A man named Johnston, formerly a barman at the Young America Hotel, had, by some means or other, offended a portion of the Celtic population, and a stand-up fight was the consequence. It would seem that Johnston, who i 8 particularly smart with his fists, beat his man and also severa others of the same mob (six it is said), when the whole crowd rushed on the man, and he, to protect himself from the onslaught, drew his knife. This further incensed the mob, who at once proceeded to take summary vengeance on him. He was thrown to the ground and kicked about the head and body most unmercifully. It was also proposed by the mob to lynch Johnston, and '-■ it is believed that the threat would have been carried out, but for the timely interference of the Rev. Father Larkins, who, with praiseworthy energy, forced his way through the crowd, and rescued the unfortunate man, who was by this time nearly insensible. He is lying in a very precarious state, there being two of his ribs broken, and he is also severely bruised about the head and body. During the disturbance the police were unable to render the slightest assistance, owing to their station being located on the opposite side of the creek, which, by the late heavy rains, was very much swollen, and dangerous to pass. However, some of the constabulary risked their lives in the attempt, and arrived at the other side, but too late to render assistance, or yet to apprehend any of the men, for on the first intimation that the constables were crossing the creek, the mob quickly dispersed.