(Specially compiled for the "Waikato Times.") Auckland, Friday.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1178, 10 January 1880, Page 3

(Specially compiled for the "Waikato Times.") Auckland, Friday.

PASTOR CHINIQTJY. The Chiniquy excitement has been predominant during the present week, and those persons not connected with either side, and therefore not feeling 1 particularly interested one way or the other, have been supplied with something spicy and sensational for their amusement. Rumours of an intended attack upon the rev. gentleman by the Eoman Catholics on the occassion of his address at Otahuhu on Tuesday evening wore current duringMonday and Tuesday, and caused no small amount of excitement. These reports had their origin in a reference to such an attack made by Chiniquy at his Monday evening lecture. The committee also professed to have information regarding a plot to assault him, and it was asserted that the Catholics intended mustering in force at Ofcahuhu from Panmure, Howick, and surrounding districts on the night in question. A deputation from the Orange Society waited upon Archbishop Steins and the Very Rev. Father Fynes, Vicar- General, in reference to the rumours, and these gentlemen promised to do all that lay within their power to prevent a breach of the peace. It was considered by some that the whole affair was pre-arranged to get up a little excitement, but whether it was or not I am unable to say. Certain it is that considerably more was made out of it than was necessary. The Chiniquy Committee communicated with the police authorities, and appealed for police protection. In addition to these preparations a number of Orangemen were called upon to accompany Chiniquy as a guard. Under these circumstances it was not surprising that the matter should cause a great deal of excitement, and form the principal topic of conversation in all circles. In duo course the evening in question arrived That strong measures would be taken to prevent any riot was shewn by the fact that twenty-five constables, armed with batons, under the command of Inspector Thompson, prooeeded to Otahuhu in tho afternoon. Subsequently, 60 or 70 Orangemen proceeded to the scene of the anticipated sanguinary conflict in 'busses and other conveyances. These were all armed, some having heavy sticks, and- many taking loaded revolvers. The effect of a collision between the two parties may, therefore, be easily imagined. A number of others, intent on seeing the fun, also left for Otahuhu. But those who anticipated a fight were very much out in their calculations indeed. The parties reached the village ; the lecture took place, and everything passed oft quietly. The belicode preparations proved entirely unnecessary, for the Roman Catholics did not oifcv the slightest molestation, and there did not appear to have been the slightest intention on their part of so doing. The Pastor, in his opening addresses, adopted a veiy mild tone, but he is now ■warming up considerably. Hamilton will shortly receive a visit from Pastor Chiniquy, and your readers will then have an opportunity of judging for themselves.