FATAL COLLISION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND RIOTERS AT LAMBING FLAT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVI, Issue 912, 7 August 1861, Page 5

FATAL COLLISION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND RIOTERS AT LAMBING FLAT.

Sydney, July 17. A fatal collision has taken place at Lambing Flat between a body of the rioters and the police, arising out of the late barbarous assault upon the Chinese. It appears that an attempt was made on Sunday by the police authorities of Burrangong to arrest some of the men concerned in that assault, and that they succeeded in apprehending three. On Sunday evening the rioters demanded the release of these men, and on being refused, attacked the camp, in order to rescue them ; but, after two hours' fighting, in the course of which several rioters were killed and wounded, and two or three of the police were wounded, the rioters were repulsed.

On Monday morning, finding that they would not be able to withstand an united attack, which they ascertained the rioters—3,ooo in numberwere about to make on them, in revenge for their defeat, the police authorities decided on abandoning the camp, and proceeding to Yass. taking with them their wounded men. Before leaving, the prisoners were admitted to bail.

Immediately on receiving the telegrams, the Government communicated with Colonel Kempt, with a view to the despatch of military to the spot. Colonel Kempt at once complied with the request, and undertook to send all the soldiers he could spare. He will also take command in person. Arrangements were made with Captain Lovell for despatching a party of artillery; and an application has been made to Captain Hume, of the Cordelia, to send up some blue jackets with one gun. Captain M'Lerie will also proceed to the diggings, in command of a number of mounted troopers. Some of the force left Sydney this afternoon, and will proceed through from Campbell Town to Burrangong in coaches supplied by the mail contractors —Crane and Roberts—and by conveyances voluntarily supplied by the people of Goulburn. The transmission of passengers and newspapers by mail has been temporarily stopped, to allow more complete accommodation for the troops, the remainder of whom will go to-morrow and Friday. 225 men are going in all. Thirty volunteers have offered services as a reserve corps. On the arrival of the troops at Burrangong martial law will be proclaimed. ■—Argus, 19th July.