THE LATE DISTURBANCE.

-»- Michael Leary was arrested on Tuesday at tho Rakaia hy Sergeant Pratt on the charge of riot and assault in Christchurch on Boxing Day ; Thomas Wood, blacksmith, High street, was arrested yesterday afternoon on the same charge, and John Barrett, publican, was nrrcsted laat night charged with aiding and abetting with ten or more in the riot. The men will be brought up this morning at tho Resident Magistrate's Court. It may be mentioned that Mr Mellish has obtained tho use of tho Provincial Council Chamber for the hearing of the riot cases. In order to quellany disturbance which might take place afc 'Timaru on Thursday between tho Orangemen and Catholics, 300 special constables were sworn in by tho Resident Magistrate on Tuesday. They were ordered to parade at the Police Dep6t at 9 o'clock on 'Thursday morning. Thoy will all be supplied with batons and badges. At the request of the Justices of the Peace, tho Defence Minister has dispatched 50 members of tho Armed Constabulary for Timaru by special steamer, aid they arrived in Timaru on "Wednesday. The services of the Artdlery Volunteers, under Capt. Hamersley, havo also been called into requisition, ard the large police force now in Timaru, uncler Superintendent Weldonand Inspector Pender were armed with Snider rifles. The civic authorities wero determined to preserve the peace afc all hazards, and put down with a strong hand any riotous conduct. Tho polica wofipusily engaged on Tuesday executing

i warrants for the arrest of tho ringleaders ii ' the disturbance on Boxing Day. Our correspondent telegraphed from Timari i on Tuesday : — " I awreneo Towers, Morrii Moynahan, Patrick O'Shea, Patrick O'Connor and John Denehy, were arrested to-day foi riotious behaviour in Timaru on Friday last Tho two former were arrested afc Wbimato All sre now in the Timaru lock-up. Tht rifles that arrived by train to-day havo beer served out to constables, and armed guards will be kept patrolling. in front of tho lock-up all night. At a special meeting of the Orange Lodge it has been decided not to inarch or New Year's Day, but resorvo tho demonstration till the arrival of Father Chiniquy, ; • Many membors of tlio Oraugo Lodge arc anxious to bring matters to a test on New Year's Day. The townspeople are furious at the conduct of tho rioters in attempting tc take the town by storm during the Christmas holidays, and scores are presenting themselves at the Court-house asking lo be sworn in as special constables." A Press Association telegram received on Tuesday says :— "Ten warrants for tho arrest of the Boxing Day rioters have been issued, and they will be executed to-day. Since the sriival of tho Dunedin police, tho footpaths have been kept cleared of loiterers. The Kerry men are indignant ot tho invasion of their privileges. It is alleged that nearly half of the malo Catholic congregation held up their hands in compliance with Father Chataigner's appeal on Sunday, ancl that the rest would have dono so but they d'd not understand his remarks. The police complain thafc tho number of men in Timaru ia quite inadequate for tho size of the town and number of the population. Another telegram from Timaru says : — " Three hundred special constables were sworn in to-day. About 60 volunteers aud 100 police are also ready for New Year's Day. Four arrests have been made of tbo principal rioters last Thursday. A large quantity of arms and ammunition arrived to-day,"