MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2114, 31 December 1879, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMARU THIS DAY. [Before R. Beetham, Esq., R.M., His Worship the Mayor, and* F. Bclfield, H. Sterrickcr, F. Archer, and G. W. Hall Esqs.] THE TIMARU RIOTERS. Patrick O’Connor, Patrick Shea, T. O’Driscoll, John Dnrihey, Lawrence Towers, and Maurice Moynahau, were charged with taking part with “ other evil disposed persons ” in creating a disturbance on the morning of Dec. 2(3. Inspector Pender said, that on the 23 Dec. it came to his knowledge that there was to be an Orange procession on Dec 26. At 9 o’clock on the night of the 25th he received reliable information (that the procession was to be opposed. Put himself in communication with the 11. M., as soon as he possibly could. About 1 o’clock on the following morning ascertained for certain that the procession was to come off. Took immediate steps to get a reserve of police from Christchurch and reported matter to the Mayor. About two o’clock in the morning the lI.M. and himself succeeded in getting a telegram off to Christchurch asking for men. They (witness and the R.M.) were up the whole night. In the morning witness collected all the men he could. About ten o’clock on the morning of the 26th a procession of Orangemen left the Oddfellows’ Hall, numbering about 40 or 50. Just about this time he saw the accused O’ Driscoll. Asked him if it was true that these men were going to act so foolishly as to oppose the procession. He said lie was afraid they were. Begged him to use all the influence he possibly could to prevent them. He said he had tried and was afraid he could not prevent them. Told him there was no law whatever to prevent those men from marching and that it would be a very unwise thing indeed to interfere. At this time witness saw four or Jive men walking down in the direction of O’Driscoll’s house. Witness said he supposed these were some of the men going now? He said he couldn’t stop them. Witness said “ Very well ; then you must take the consequences,” and left. Communicated at once with the Resident Magistrate. The men had not arrived from Christchurch then. The R.M. and witness arranged to go down to the Town Hall. At this time the Orangemen had passed down to the Town Hall. They wore no sashes then, but some of them wore swords. On witness’s arrival at the Town Hall with the R.M., the men had got their yellow sashes on, they were standingtwo deep behind the Forresters’ Hall. A large number of men were around them. They were shouting out that they would not allow them to march with their sashes on. There were about 150 men standing around at this time. The R.M. and witness got in between these men and the Orangemen. The Timaru police came down from the station and divided the Orangemen from the others. Witness pointed out to the men that the procession could not be interfered with; there was no law to prevent it from taking place. Begged of them to refrain from carrying out their threats. Told them that they were entirely in the wrong, and that they would certainly regret what they were doing, and tried all he possibly could to persuade the men from attempting violence. Heard the R.M. also try to persuade them. They cried out that they were determined to prevent the men from marching, and kept pushing forward. The accused Dcnihey made himself especially conspicuous by the action he took in the matter. Just at this time Inspector Hickson arrived with 20 men rfom Christchurch. A number of men arrived from the direction of the Main South Road. Some of them came running up. Tried again to disperse the would-be rioters. Saw the whole of the accused present at this time. The crowd numbered about 300 people. Just then the Foresters’ commenced to lead on, and the Orange procession attempted to follow. The police got between the Orangemen and the rioters in order that the procession might proceed. Saw at once that the force was too small. The crowd rushed on to the Orange procession, and for a couple of minutes

there was a sort of scrimmage. Did not see any blows struck. Witness, who, was on horseback, partially succeeded with the assistance of his men, in restoring order. The ])oliee had no firearms, the crowd rushed them dow r n, the force of police being much too small. Some of the Orangemen drew their swords as they retreated back to the Hall. The Orangemen then retired to the Foresters’ Hall and took off their sashes, A little before this the Besident Magistrate read the Kiot Act. After this and after the men went into the hall and took off their sashes, the street was cleared. A number of special constables were also swornin on the spot, and assisted. The 11. M. Mr Hickson and witness did not consider it advisable to make any arrests at the time. The mob formed itself into a sort of procession and went down North street, and the main street. This concluded the Inspectors statement. The men (were asked if they wished to question the police. Several of them were about to make statements, but were stopped by the Bench. Inspector Pender then stated that warrants were out for several other participators in the riot. As he would like all the men arrested on this charge to be brought up together, lie would ask that the accused might be remanded until Saturday Jan, 3. The accused wore remanded accordingly, the Bench refusing to admit them to bail. Inspector Pender then made an application under the Justices of the Peace Act to to have the Hibernian Hotel closed until Jan. 0. After conferring' together, their Worships decided to grant the application.