BLACKBALL EXCITED

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 184, 29 April 1908, Page 7

BLACKBALL EXCITED

MR. HICKEY ARRESTED. , NON-PAYMENT OF A FINE. , !A SYMPATHISER COMES TO'THE RESCUE. . (BY rELEOBAPn—PBEBB ASSOCIATION.)' . Crcymouth, April 28. Tho township of Blackball was thrown into a great state of excitement this morning when Mr. Hickey was arrested, for nonpayment of a fine inflicted on him by tha magistrate about: the middle of. Fobruary, when ho was charged with' disobeying the' commands of the mine manager in refusing to go to work at tho- end of' fifteen minutes' - crib time. The fine and costs amounted tc £1.135. . i Oil Monday evening it was known in Black* ' ball. that tl.lo warrant was issued, and aiV . rangements, were made for the band to turn- 1 out in tho morning. , A little before S o'clock tho band lined upland Hickey made his appearance at the top end of the township., Ho .was hoisted shoulder high, and when Constable Egan V . served the warrant and'arrested him he was greeted with loud cheer £ and cries of "Good old Hickey.", , The constable, and Hickey mounted the coach to proceed to Ngahero to catch tho train for Grey mouth. Tho band also had a conveyance to cbnvey them to Ngahpro. to : seo' Hickey start-for gaol. • As the coaches moved off-the streets wero lined with men; women, and children, and choer upon cheer was given. The band, continued to play until Ngahero was reached. At Ngahero, durilig a 1 short wait for the train, i tho' hero- of the hour was continually cheered, while the band played several ■ selections. ;.;Tfio residents of'.Ngahero-turned out, and whoii the.l'rain'drew iii the greatest'. . excitement prevailed; ■ As tho train moved : off hats were thrown into the air, clteers were : given, and the band struck up a lively tunc. •The train arrived; in Grcymouth at eleven o'clock, and Hickey was taken to tlio police station, .and kept in tho, 1 watfehhouse. . Tho . intention:was to. convey .liiln to Holritika by tho ; afteriiobn'i-train,'where :lio ; .would be placed in tho gaol. This, however; was upset, for someone paid tho fino and lie could have his liberty. There seems a little mystery about who . really did pay the fine. An "Argus" re- • porter, on inquiring at tho police station, was . told that tho person had asked that his n'anio bo kept secret; but that lie was a sympathiser.' " 1 ,