THE REDMOND MISSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LX, Issue 7050, 3 October 1883, Page 2

THE REDMOND MISSION.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 21. Mr Bedmond, M.P., ond his Secretary, Mr Walsh, came down from Auckland in the Taiaroa, which steamer brought on those portion* of the Bun Francisco mail intended for Gisborne and Napier. Tho steamer arrived at the latter place very early yesterday morning, but despite (ho oarliness of the hour, a small deputation of Irishmen came off from the shore to spenk to (be agitator. Mr Bedmond, however, bad not risen, and the deputation did not appear to have so burning a desire to see their chief as to go down below ’and carry on conversation with him while still under hie opossum rug. Mr Walsh received the visitors, telling them how matters stood, and after a brief interview, out short by the return of the Union Company’s famous tender, Boojum, to port A huriri, then departed. According to eye-witnesses, the meeting, though short, should have been satisfactory, for they mention the receipt by Mr Walsh of a packet done up like a rouleau, and neatly bound with green ribbon. Whether the rouleau contained 1 anything more substantial than an address 1 cannot say, but the opinion on board the steamer seemed to be strongly in favour of the shore party boring returned rather poorer mCn than they were when they stepped aboard the tender. Mr Bedmond is extremely youthful in appearance, rather pale in complexion, with a profusion of curly hair, and the fur cap he wears on board ship gives him somewhat the look of an abior." So is hsrdtf dd-HBOBgh.-yet to have very strongly marked features, but rejoices in a liberal allowance of that one by which the Duke of Wellington was distinguished from most other men. Altogether Mr Bedmond does not look a very terrible character. The movements of the pair do not, up to the present time, appear to have been definitely settled, further than that they proceed forthwith to Westland; in fact, it was understood that the p.s. Wallace was to take them in that direction to-night, but they have sailed for Lyttelton in the Wanaka, apparently with tho intention of making the journey overland. It is stated that they will be back in Wellington within three weeks, and that they will finally leave New Zealand early in November to attend a conference in Melbourne of those connected with the Land League. Funds do not appear to be wanting for the enterprise. I hear that £24,0C0 has been collected in Australia, and also that a cheque for £3OO was given here in Wellington.

It is stated that while Messrs Bedmond and Walsh were in Wellington they were handed a cheque for £3OO. The name of the donor has been withhold.

HOKITIKA, Sept, 21.

At the Borough Council last evening, an application by Messrs Redmond and Walsh for the use of the Town Hall was refused. The proprietors of the theatre also refused to let the building to them. Arrangements are being made by the supporters of the Land League here to present an address of welcome to Messrs Bedmond and Walsh when they arrive, and to give a banquet in their honouron the evening of the lecture.