The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1868. H.R.H. the DUKE of EDINBURGH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 74, 28 March 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1868. H.R.H. the DUKE of EDINBURGH.

LATEST PARTICULARS. The following details of the late attempt upoa the life of the Prince are taken from the Wellington Independent and the Otago Daily Times : — At the Sailor's Home pic-nic, at Sydney, the Dake of Edinburgh was fired at from behind with a revolver. Two shots were fired. One ball lodged in the back of the Prince, and the second ball hit a gentleman named George Thorce, of Sydney, in the leg. The assassin was H. I. O'Farrell, a lawyer's clerk, brother to a once wellknown Melbourne solicitor. He was living | at Ballarat;, but came to Sydney about ' three months ago. He fired at the Prince i from the back when about only two paces off. The bullet entered two inches from the spiue and. passed through the muscles of the back, round by the ribs to the front of the abdomen. , • The Prince immediately fell, exclaim- J iug 'my back is broken.' • • j Sir William Manning* seeing the Prince fall and hearing the second report, threw himself down while the crowd rushed to raise the Prince and seize the assassin. The latter was only saved from being torn to piecemeal, by the police exertions and those of the Chief Justice, who got severely haudled while aiding the police. Numerous attempts were' made to get the prisoner away, and his clothes were torn to. shreds. When placed on board the steamer Pater- ! I son, the crew tried to seize him. ' When searched, a second revolver, fully i loaded, was found upon him. ! He refused to give his name, but the ■ police found out his lodgings, and seized a quantity of papers in his box, principally legal documents. The sensation in Sydney is indescribable. Parliament was sitting when the news was received, and immediately adi. , J journed. A body of mounted troopers and foot police,- fully armed, was despatched to the wharf, gaol, and Government House. The priuce was carried on board the s.s. Morpeth about 4 o'clock, sufiering immense pain. Two lines of citizens formed an nvenue from the marquee to the steamer, and profound grief was, manifested. • ' : Many ladies fainted as the Prince was borne by. He arrived at Sydney about 5, and was conveyed to. Government House. The bullet was afterwards extracted, and the wound found to be, not mortal, though causing great "pain. 'The Prince bore the operation gallantly. Thousands: of people were on the wharf expectingthe Prince to land there* O'Farrell is- described as a dissipated character, and latterly supposed to be in- ! B * ne * ' .'■•.•'.'■.' ■' - ; It is stated that he has confessed that there were 20 persons in the conspiracy ; !" that the number was then reduced to 10, whe drew lota who should assassinate the I Prince. ' ' ' . ••.•■, •■...-.

£1000 reward for each accomplice' has heen offered aud several arre3ts have already been lV made. Indignation meetings-have been held all over tlio colonies. The people would have lynched O'Farrell, but the military and a strong body of police prevented them. The gaol, Government House, and offices are strongly guarded day and night. vJFrQm the Argus, March 16.) The, Prince arrived at the pic-nic at 2 o'clock, and after luncheon, was walking with the Countess of Belmore and Sir William Manning, when au uuknown elderly man came behiud him, and draw- ' ing a revolver, shot the Prince. He was firing a second shot, when the bystanders struck the weapon from his hand, and seized the assassin. The bullet, thus diverted, went through Mr. Thome's foot. The ball, which entered the Prince's back about two inches to the right of the spine at the lower part of the back, and glanced round the upper part of the thigh under the skin, was extracted on Saturday, the 14th, by Dr. Youug, H.M.S. Gatateii, and Dr. Watson, H.M.S. Challenger, aud was found flattened, as if it had struck against the rib, on the left side just above the abdomen. The Prince bore the operation, necessarily a very painful one, most gallantly. The churches of all denominations, both in Sydney and Melbourne, were crowded on the following Sunday, and in all special prayers were offered' for the "Prince's speedy and perfect recovery. The Sydney- Government inteuds prosecuting the proprietors of the Freeman's Journal, for a seditious article on the Prince's recovery, ' The largest public meeting ever held in Melbourne took place on the 15th, 6000 persons being present, to express sympathy with the Prince, and thankfulness &t his escape. Both Houses have passed addresses expressing deep sorrow and indignation at the outrage committed on the Duke. The latest Sydney telegram states that the Prince was progressing most favorably on the day following the operation. He . passed' a -good night, and slept without intermission. The Ifruke sat up for two hours on Sunday afternoon"; fie %as in little pain, and bis spirits 'Vrere' good. He received several visitors. Poor Mr Thorne continues to suffer great pain. His medical attendants had not yet attempted to extract the ball.