THE PREMIER AND NATIVE MINISTER AT TARANAKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5065, 9 February 1878, Page 5

THE PREMIER AND NATIVE MINISTER AT TARANAKI.

MAJOiI ATKINSON'S FRIENDS ATTACK THE TRIUMPHAL. ARCH. •" • [By Telegraph.] [FROM OUR OWN • New Plymouth, Friday. The Ministerial party arrived by the Hinemoa at eight o'clock, and landed at ten in the surf-boat, suitably fitted for the occasion with the Union Jack flying. A large crowd was assembled ou the beach, and cheered loudly. Ministers,were received byj the Mayor at the head of the' Reception' Committee, and were conducted in car- ] rxagea to tlic Beach House, and- the Masonic Hotel, where they are staying. A large tri- 1 umphalarchspanned Brougham-street and the! intersection of Devon-street, formed of evergreens, and decorated with flags of all nations, with streamers stretching across bearing the inscription—" Welcome Sir George Grey." This arch was the scene of an excit ing incident last night, when Major Atkinson's brother, Decimus Atkinson, and his relatives, and the two JJursthouses, led, a party to cut it down at midnight. A. hint had been given to the police that a strong mountain breeze would blow during the night, aud imperil the arch, and Rocke and Ryan were on the look out.' About midnight, the party sallied out, including the abovenamed ; also McDonough, accountant .in a bank; two business people named Humphries ; Williamson, chemist, " and others, and attacked the arch. Richmond Hurst house, member of Parliament for Motueka, Nelson, had mounted by a ladder, and was astride of the arch, fastening a rope ' for the purpose of hauling it down, when Sergeant Dnflfin appeared on the scene, and ordered him to come down. Hnrsthouse replied that he was a member of Parliament, and warned the sergeant not to interfere with him. Duffin : told him he should be ashamed of himself in such a position, and did not care whether he was a member or not, he must come down. Meantime, others, including Wilson Hursthouse, engineer in charge of the local railway, I and in receipt of a salary of £500 a year from the public funds,- were- engaged in demolishing the .base of the. arch, assaulting tho police with branches, : Ac, 'At length, the sergeant seizing the leader, was pulling him down, when the honourable memuer for Motueka descended from his perch, and the others, overcome by the police,- were driven from the arch. ■ 1 ' ■ The following police report of the transaction I have been permitted to copy from the Police Report' Book: Wilful attempt.to damage triumphal arch erected for the'reception of Sir George Grey and the Hon Mr.'Sheehah." At-about 11.45 p.m., 7th February, JS7S, some twenty men attempted to pull and cut down the triumphal arch erected for the reception of-the- Premier; Sir~(icorge Grey, and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Constables Roche and Ryan, through great exertion, frustrated their efforts, -and in—a-short time, Sergeant Duffin arrived, aud, with the assistance of the constables, quelled the disturbance, and dispersed the lnob. The names of' the principals in the affair are as follows :—William Humphries, Edward Humphries, Wilson Hursthouse, RichmondHursthouse (M.H.R.), Decimus Atkinson, Josiah Hosking, Louis McDonough, William King, George Ne\v r man, James B. Williamson, William Ross, and Robert McGonagh It is not yet known whether tho police will tako auy further steps. One of the constables was knocked down, and was dragged with the rope by Humphries when being taken to the lock-up. All were allowed to get away on condition that they would turn up at 8 o'clock- in the mornirw, but up one of them has since buen seen out of his house. Atkinson (Decimns) is apparently in hiding, as he has not shown hii|iself to day anywhere. ' The stronKest indignation is felt among the people at the conduct of ■ Major Atkinson's connections, and their cowardice iii attacking tho arch at midnight when afraid to touch it during daylight.

Several deputations on matters of local interest met Ministers. Ministers, accompanied l»y a laryo number of friends, the reception committee, &c., went out by specialtrain to visit the cradle of New Zealand's sorrow—Waitara. On their return, a banwas lield at the Oddfellows' Hall afc 4. o'clock. The hull was beautifully decorated, and over seventy sat down.Archdeacon Govett occupied the.'chair, in the absence of the Mayor, wlio was prevented from being present by family affliction. He was supported en the right by the Premier, Mr. Carriugton, M. H.R , and inembera of- the Ministerial party; on the left by the Hon.. Mr. Sheehan, the Hon. Mr. Fisher," Mr. Kelly, M.*H.R., &c. After local toasts, the Chairman proposed " The Health of Sir George Grey," who briefly responded. Colonel Trimble, chairman of the County Council, proposed " The health of Mr. Sheehan," who replied. Mr. Carrington, M.H. U., proposed, "The Chairman." l'he speeches Were all very brief and merely .complimentary, in consequence of the public meeting which is to le held at eight o'clock . to-uiglit, at which the (Premier and' Niativo. Miuiater will address the people. The party leave for Wellington to-raor-row, the Native Minister with Messrs. Grace and George proceeding overland.

j lUnny of the religious services to bo.held.tomorrow- (ire-:ui vertlsuil in another column.. 11 The handicaps made ill the (Jup and . Hurdle Race in tlm Henderson's Mill liaces are ii'ublislied in our advertising columns. Mr. Kenneth Watkins will begin to-day his classes, in the Ohoral Hall, fur instruction in art. • On the 28th-instant, David Carnachan, of ;Cambri-!ge, storekeeper, intends to apply for his discharge under the Debtors and Creditors !Act, 187 Q. i Messrs. Kcala and .Soil, architects, invito tenders until tlie 14th inst., for the erection of .office fittiifgs in Queen-street ; until the lGth inst.' for €lie"erection of a : church at'Purenga'renga, North Cape ; until the 19th icst., for .thacreetion of a villa residence at l'onsonhy. Major Green .intimites, by advertisement, that,the,monthly list.of nominated immigrantswill be closed pn,.tlio 20th innt. Persons thus nominated liy relatives in the colony, will be conveyed here, free ( of charge, and be at, liberty to join'tlieir friends on anival. i The attention of our readers is called to the Bile of su^urbiih'allotments at Grey town, Whau,, ; on Monday, 11th inst., by Mr. Greoliwood. Tlie situation iff nimt''claiming; aSid' hS''pioxiinity to town renders .lt a deairablo locality for--villa sifes, more'.especially.as tbo completion of the Kaigara./Kailway! ivlll, place it Wi'ldu; twenty minutes ride of Auckland. , _ The Broad Arrow, pi, the , Ist DecemLe y sayja The orders for/the. Mediterranean J?leet, under the coipmaud of Vico-Admiral G. P. Hornby,-, to at Smyrna and. Malta, have been .countermanded, and the •fleet will therefore"remai:: "at iLsika BayJ