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Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 821, 18 April 1868, Page 1 (Supplement)

A very numorously attended meeting was held in the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre (formerly the Princs of Wales Opera House) for the purpose of expressing sympathy with his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the Mayor in the obair. Several loyal speeches wero made, and the greatest horror was expressed of the crime by which the life of the Duke was attempted. The meeting waß characterised by the most enthusiastic loyalty. Another public meeting was held at Owen's Sluicer's Arms Hotel, Stafford Town, on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of espressing thankfulness for the preservation of the life of hi^"Royal Highness Prince Alfred. Several suitable resolutions were passed, but a subject quite foreign to the object of the meeting made the whole affair rather ridiculous, when the Chairman, the Rev. Father Larkins, descanted on the wrongs of Ireland. I believe the promoters of the meeting did not wish that the ret. gentlemen should occopy the chair : but, as there was a delay in inducing anyone to occupy the position, * Mr. Haswell, the junior clerk in the Union Bank of Australia, proposed, and Dr. Matthews seconded " That the Rev. Father Larkins take the chair ;" after Dr. Matthews, the Wairaea correspondent of the Celt, had decliued the honour. The first proposition was moved by Mr. Reed, and seconded by Mr. Harron, to the effect — " That this meeting views with feelings of abhorrence and indignation the ruffianly attempt recently made on the life of his Royal Highness the D«ke of Edinburgh, and desires to express its feeling's of deep thankfulness to Almighty God for his providential escape in the hour of danger." | Mr. Birch then mored, and Mr. F. M. Dighton j seconded, the second resolution — "That we feel assured that her Majesty will alsa find her subjects in the colony of New Zealand to be loyal and true, and we are desirous that similar expressions of devotion to the throne be expressed from all centres of population in the colony, as though with one united voice." Dr. Matthews proposed, and Mr, Hasswell seconded — "That we sincerely trust that the alarming intelligence of the attempt on the life of the Prince may not be detrimental to the health of her Gracious Majesty, and wo trust that the sad news may be simultaneously accompanied by the cheering intelligence of the failure to complete this most abominable crime, and be quickly followed by the news of his complete restoration to health," The Rev, Mr. Larkins then adchessed the meeting, and assured it that he respected the constituted authority of the State, but yet free men were bound to - express their feelings if they felt any grevious wrong committed either at home or abroad. It bad been his duty from time to time to protest against certain acts of the English Government. It kai been said that he was a Fenian, but he could lay his hand on bis* heart and solemnly say that their was not one drop of Fenian blood in his reins. He could, however, sympathise 1 with Fesianism, for if such & thing did sxisi ii»

Ireland it was a necessity, and arose from misgorermnent and tyranny. It arose from the galling yoke, not of the Royal family, but of her Majesty's advisers. Her Majesty was a good Queen and a good mother, but the acts of the English Government wero not hers. (Cries of " I thought you were a Fenian," and confusion.) Ho could say fearlessly that no Roman Catholic clergyman had ranked with the Fenians, but they felt bound to sympathise with thorn, well knowing that there was ample reason for the existence of such a body. He then went on to vindicate the Manchester mur« derers, pronouncing their act as rash, but done with a good motive and under a mistaken idea. He argued that the murder was a mere accident, which might arise similarly to this :— A policeman, in taking a digger to the lock-up, and his mate foels called upon to rescue him, even though an infringement be made of the law. That was the kind of murder for which f hose men at Manchester suffered. He advised everyone, however, to abide by the law of the land so long as he cortld. His reverence then proceeded to explain his reason for having headed the funeral procession, remarking that he saw people on all sides desirous of such a demonstration. He had always respected tho deference shown him by clergymen of other deno« minations. He then went on to say that he had heard of things occurring that day in Hokitika, and proceedings in the Prince of Wales Opera House, at which any man in the room would shudder. He concluded by urging on all present to forgive injuries so long as possible, and not to resent insults, insults which were daily heaped upon them, especially by the press of Hokitika.