A FIGHT FOR AN HOTEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5932, 1 March 1880, Page 6

A FIGHT FOR AN HOTEL.

During the past few days, says the Melbourne Argus. of Deo. 12, public attention has been attracted to a ease which, in all its complicated surroundings, presents features of an extraordinary nature. Some time ago it man tamed Muir was killed upon the Suburban Bailway line; and his widow shortly atterwards took possession of his- estate. . _Sho ■was left in possession of several thousands of pounds, and, as might be expected, she had many suitors for her hand. Her movements, in a matrimonial direction were, however, somewhat’ewitib, as a few months ago, meeting a man in a puhlio house, she decided at once to marry him and 'settle halfher property upon him. Being, however, of a somewhat- avaricious turn of mind, her newlyeleoted spouse did not think the terms sufficiently liberal, and the consequence woe that while hesitating over the match, a Mr Peter Hourigan etepped in between and clinched the bargain. The marriage took place in due course, and ultimately the purchase of the New Zealand Hotel in Swanston street was decided upon, and carried into effect. After some few months _Peter Hourigan died, and his brother, who had been in his employ, thereupon claimed : to be a partner, and sought to take possession of the hotel. In thishe was for a time successful. The house was closed and barricaded, . and a strong party of larrikins commanded the position. Several times success fluctuated from ono side to. the other, a- kind of guerilla warfare being continuously sustained. Matters, however, reached a climax on Wednesday night. James Hourigan was in possession, strongly entrenched, and supported by a mob of roughs, when » Mr Traill, acting on behalf of the widow, essayed to effect qn entrance. His first attack was successfully repulsed by those inside hurling showers of bottles at the. heads of the besiegers, and for a short time hostilities ceased. Ultimately, however, Traill appeared on the scene , armed ponderous« axe, with which heproceeded to out down the - front door. This action was the signal for a violent attack from the upper windows of the hotel, and many innocent persons- who. were passing shy narrowly escaped serious injury from the missiles missiles thrown from the interior, while fear was entertained that, vome one would-be shot, ■ as a man stood atawmdow violently flourishing aloaded revolver. Inspector Larner and a body of police were upon the scene,; and, seeing that bloodshed was imminent, Mr Traill was arrested. ; This had 'the effect of suspending the attack, and shortly . after one o’clock in the morning: the attacking party decided to suspend operations until next day. Yesterday Iraill was brought before, the City Police Court, and the facts as narrated above having been given in evidence, Mr Gall, F.M., deci Jed to bind the defendant over in one surety of £IOO to keep the peace, and made it a condition that; he should not go near the hotel until Tuesday next, to which date he was remanded. 'At (he same time, Mr Call expressed his opinion that the widow appeared to have been very hardly treated, and if a person was kept out. of his own house he was quite j ustified in breaking into it with an axe. The scenes whiehhad occurred were, in his opinion, a disgrace to any civilised community, and he. intimated that he would immediately grant warrants for tho arrest of any of the roughs in the house who could be identified with the outrage. As a result of this intimation a number of warrant!, were issued, and- Inspector Lamer, with of Solice, proceeded to the hotel. Entrance was enied to them, bat ultimately, .by. the ald o£ ■a-bate wing ■mttrfßTßSiTTiy'B heavy piece of timber, the book door was smashed in, and the police took possession. After great difficulty six men were captured, and were removed to the city watchhouse, and James Hourigan was also arrested. During the proceedings the representatives of the widow succeeded in entering the hotel, and subsequently compelled Mrs James Hourigan and her adherents to leave the place. Up to the present the hotel remains in the possession of the relict of Mr Peter Hourigan, and it is probable (bat the whole matter will soon occupy tho attention of the law courts. The result of the quarrel was, that Hourigan was fined £lO, or two months’ imprisonment; the other prisoners being fined 20s, with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment.