THE DISTURBANCE OF THE CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3654, 27 December 1879, Page 2

THE DISTURBANCE OF THE CITY.

The following letters appeared in the Ljfttellon Times this morning : — TO THB EDITOR. Sib, — Permit me, through tbe medium of your column*, to express for myself and the Catholics of Christchurch tbo deep pain caused by the sad disturbance of this morning. None, moro than we, could condemn in unqualified terms the action of a few, who perniittoJ themselves to bo carried away by feelings which ono could havo wished Lad long since beon buried in oblivion. Having no desire to prejudge the case, I may, however, be allowed to remark that, whatover could be gathered from Beveral met in the crowd, did not point, it seems to me, to any preconoeived plan on the part of the few alluded to on the part of the eveningpapers; but the whole, I think, is traceable to tho imprudence of a few on both sides. Again expressing my regret, and sympathising with the sufferers — 1 am, do , L. M. GINATY, 8.M., Parish Priest. Tho Catholic Preßhytery, Chrißtchurch, Deo. 26. TO TIIK EPITOB. Sib, — I was an evo witness of the assault on the Orangemen this morning, and possibly, therefore, an account of the affair may be acceptahlo to you from me. At about half past 9 olclock the procomon was passing, in as quiet and orderly a manner as possible, Barrett's Borough Hotel, at tho junction of High and Manchester streets* when from 30 to 40 men rushed out from, I think, the yard in the rear of tho hotel, armed with pick handles (nearly all new ones), and attacked tho Orangemen, hittingfuriously about. Ono man was knocked down, and lay pcnseless in tho gutter, and several received mo*t ugly knockß. The banner was thrown down, tho procession broken up, Orangemen and assailants formed nn angry crowd ; the arsailants for a short time abstaining from further blows, but threatening to " do so and more also," if the* march wore renewed. Tho one unfortunate constable on the ground endeavoured to resloro pcaco, Hnd ho was assisted by Detective Benjamin. They urged the Orangemen to disperse quietly, but one eioited joung man gesticulating furiously, callud out rcpaitedly " No, wo eluini our rights ; wo demand protection, in tho name of tho Queen." Many of tho Orangemen retired up High street, to- /' ward's Strange's. Alt of a sudden one of tho / assai'ants called out, "There he is! Left/ attack him ! " and a rush was made up lljfe fit eet. I followed, and raw übuut a dozen men savagely beating with tho pick handles two or three men under Lako'u Here one- poor fellow received eueh blows about tho head that his faeo and head were literally covered with blood. The single policeman I havo referred to *in up, and probably savod tho poor fellow's life, but at the cost of such rough lmndliog himself that ha appeared nearly fainting. Inspector Bro* ham and somo conßtablw at this tima appeared on tho scene, and further, bloodshed was proven ted. Tho scene under La&a's verandah beggara dosoription. Tho pick-handles woro being used in the straight down-blow fashion th&fc told too truly unarmed mon wero the victim*. It was a sickening sight. " There's muider being committed," was tho remark of bj-. stendors. Sir,— Where were tho pick handles,, all new, obtained, and whose was tho small iron crow* bar which Doteolirc Beniamin secured P Also, Sir, oau you give tho name of tbe Oonslablo who, single-handed, did bis duty bo well in tho middle of such an infuriated, mob of I won't say men ? Is it truo that the Catholics xrero allowed peaceably to march in proeesaioa, with banners flying, from their Church to tho ruilway station this morning P I» it truo that this morninc'i outrage wnt » premeditated one, arranged weeks ftgo P— l am, Ao., EYK- WITNESS (not an Omngomwi). P. B. —l omitted lo say that nftor thft arrival, of Inspector Broham «»o»i olf the» assailants retted to the ywd. ;» tb» mr of the Borough Hotel, and rewoluexUn a body thero, still holdiug the pieV h&JldlM to their