THE DISTURBANCE OF THE CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3656, 30 December 1879, Page 3

THE DISTURBANCE OF THE CITY.

TO THB EDITOB. Tho following letters appeared in this morning's Lyttelton Times : — Sib, — I observed in your paper of this morning a letter from tho Rev Father Ginaty which at first greatly pleased me, but in the aftor part greatly surprised and disappointed me. Ho says " bufc tho whole, I think, is traceable to the imprudence of a fow on both sides." Now, what authority has he for saying a few on both sides ? I defy him fco point to any act of tho members of the Protestant Alliance which boro any appearance of boing meant, or fitted, to cause annoyance to Koman Catholics. When the great meetings of Father Hennebery were held, and the great processions paraded the town with ever so many flags and green sashes and emblems of the Hibernian Society, there was not the slightest attempt made either to interfere with or insult them. When, somo years ago, a procession marched out as far as Yaldhurst, with banners and sashes, to meet their Bishop, there was no hind ranee of any kind. When, quito lately, another big procession waß got up, with flags and banners, to meet some Bishops at fcho railway station, coming to officiate in connection with the new organ in the Eoman Catholic chapel thoro was no imprudence on the part of many or few of the Prolostant population. Bufc now, when this cowardly assault is mado by armed men on unarmed men with women and children, there is an imprudence on tho part of a few "on one side," that is tho Koman Catholics, while on tho very same day a large procession from tho Roman Catholic Chapel to the railway station marched along undisturbed by any Protestant imprudence. I am sorry that I cannot agree with the Roy. Father's opinion that tho attack did not proceed from any preconcerted plan. I am sorry also to ba comjiollod to say that the Rev. Father Ginaty's letter, as a whole, bears the appearance to me of falling in with the general public opinion where it cannot help doing so, whilo it insinuates or hints at misbehaviour or imprudence on tho parfc of tho Protestant Alliance, for which there is not a shadow of foundation. — I am, &c, JOHN 0. M'WILLIAM, Sec. Queen's Own Lodgo, P.A.F.3.0.A. Dec. 27.