IMPORTANT NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 820, 11 April 1868, Page 3

IMPORTANT NEWS.

FENIAN RIOT AT WESTPORT. THE PRINCE CONVALESCENT AND LIKELY TO COME TO NEW ZEALAND. O'FARRELL PLEADS INSANITY. THE" PRINCE INTENDS VISITING , > O'FARRELL. By .the arrival of tho 'Rangalira' on Thursday, . we have received our exchanges containing the • following account of the Fenian disturbances at Westport, and the announcement that the Duke of Edingburgh is convalescent aud intends visiting New Zealand. Uokitika, April 1, 9*30 a.m. The ' Phoebe* arrived yesterday ovoning from Sydney, bringing highly satisfactory accounts of tho health of His Royal Highness Prinoo Alfred, who is recovering rapidly and has twice visited tho ' Galatea.' Prince Alfred replied, on March 19, to addrosses from all parts of the colony. The following is part of his reply :—: — " The cowardly act of oue individual baa not, in any degree, shaken my confidence in the* loyalty of tho poople of this colony towards tho throtio aud person of her Majesty, or in their affeotion for myself ; and I shall gladly convey to tho Queen tho universal expression of horror and indignation which the attempt to assassinate me has called forth from her Majesty's faithful subjects in Australia." On March 24, the Princo was sufficiently recovorod to visit the ' Galatea.' His appearance in harbour was unexpected, but caused a great naval demonstration. His Royal Highness was greatly affected. On reaching the deck of his ship, he was overpowered by the welcome from. - his men, nnd obliged to retire to his cabin to compose himself. Afterwards, he proceeded to * inspect tho refitting of the ' Galatea,' and then ■ returned to shoro. His Royal Highness can now walk about with* out any artificial aid, and his wound is only marked by a small black scar. The Sydney Mail thinks tho Princo will Come to New Zealand, and from thence proceed direct to England. O'Farrell's trial commenced on the 23rd of March. Messrs. Aspinall and Dalley have been retained as his counsel. The plea for the defence is insanity, but tho prisoner manifests no sign of weakened intellect. A Treason -Felony Act has been passed iv Sydney, and commitments already made nnder it.