"TICHBORNE" DEMONSTRATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5496, 28 June 1879, Page 7

" TICHBORNE " DEMONSTRATION.

A demonstration on behalf of the Claimant took place at Hyde Park recently, nnder somewhat unfavourable circumstances. A procession Btarted from the residence of Dr. Kenealy, in Tavistock Square, by way of Trafalgar Square about half-past two o'clock, and reached Hyde Park soon after three. It was composed of a very large number of people, the vast majority being on foot, but some of them riding in a variety of vehicles. In one in the centre of the procesaion, were Dr. Kenealy, M.P.,Mr. Onslow and several other persons,including the Claimant's son. One of the occupants displayed a banner on which was written, " Pray release my poor dear father, Sir Roger Tiehborne." This carriage all along the route was surrounded by a dense mass of people, who cheered repeatedly. Preceding it was a band of music, and in its wake were several other bands. Altogether about a score of large banners were conspicuous in the assembly, their mottoes being of a peculiar description. One inscription denounced the "braying asses" at St. Stephen's ; another said, " We want Triennial Parliaments, the abolition of the income-tax, and an honest Press ;" and a third declared, "We men of the East, Shall never cease, Until Tiehborne is released." In a brougham, containing five women, there was a banner, containg the following words :—" O, Queen, restore our brother, Sir Roger Tiehborne." On a flag in mourning, borne by six men, was written, "Release Tiehborne, the victim of perjury and corruption." Another banner, equally large, bnt yellow in colour, declared " Cockburn's knaves and fanatics demand the release of Sir Roger Tiehborne." Others stated " Release Tiehborne and reinstate Kenealy," and "Who droops or fears, When England cheere, and God defends tha right," while underneath a portrait of Mr. Gladssone suspended from a pole was Inscribed "Beware of Gladstone, Dizzy, and Co." For a long time before the procession reached the park a number of people had assembled near the spot where the " Reformers' Tree" once stood ; but the showers of rain which occurred at frequent intervale succeeded in reducing the crowd from a large to a comparatively small one. However, the procession entered the park during a temporary cessation of rain ; and as it waa swelled by thousands of persons from Piccadilly and everyone in the park itself, its dimensions became remarkable. Dr. Kenealy and the son of the Claimant were loudly cheered. Instead of going in the direction of "The Reformers' Tree," a halt was made by the procession on the edge of the Serpentine. The bands ceased playing, the banners for a time were pat on one side, and speeches were made from half-a-dozen vehicles by half-a-dozen oratora to as many crowds at the same time. Both Mr. Onslow and Dr. Kenealy spoke, as did likewise a gentleman in the same carriage on the box next to the driver, but the rain began to fall again, and the epeeches were cut very short. Then the son of the claimant was held tip, and the people cheered. The speakers in the other vehicles mostly dilated on " the iniquitous trial and verdict," but some of them occasionally averted to the Zulu war. Various crowds which gathered round each oratorical centre, inetead of sympathising with the indignation of the speaker, appeared, in the main, to be amused by it; an<t the good humour of the people waa not lost when a heavy and a persistent fall of rain brought the proceedinga of the demonstration to a premature close, the vehicles driving rapidly off by the Serpentine, and the multitude running in all directions.