NIHILISM AT GORTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1404, 2 July 1881, Page 3

NIHILISM AT GORTON.

The quiet and peaceable residents of this quarter of New Zealand will certainly manifest unusual astonishment when their eyes come into contact with the heading of this article, and wonder what on earth the proprietor of the Gorton estate has got to do with the Czar of Russia, or the Viceroy of Ireland, or their opposing and bloodthirsty apponents, Eemanism and Nihilism. But whether an infernal machine — consisting of a bottle of nitro glycerine, and a fuse attached thereto, was placed under the homestead or residence of Mr R. H. D. Fergusson, Gorton, to satisfy the ends ef either of theabove popular factions and decidedly, undesirable acquaintances, or was the diabolical act of an evil disposed employee, orvmdictive "sun-downer," it is a matter of grave importance to the security of life and property in this district, and one which demands the interference and investigation of the authorities. However, we have been informed on very good authority that such a discovery has been made, though a few days have elapsed since the time the existence of the machine was first discovered ; but as we have received no particulars as to whether the machine was placed against the house or under it- Detective Jeffrey being very reticent in parting with the information— we are unable to say anything further on this point. The discovery having been made, Detective Jeffrey was communicated with, and that officer went to Oorton, where he found something of the nature of what we have described above, and, it is said, took it with him to Auckland to have the contents analysed and the whole affair enquired into.