The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 229, 25 April 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1868.

We devote a large portion of our paper to publishing in extenso Mr Kynnersley's version of the late disturbances at Addison's Plat and the causes that led to them as appears in his official report. "We had hoped that the subject was at an end, and, like many others, finding that the administrator of the law sided openly with the law-breakers, were obliged to put up with the existing state of things, provided the General Government did not think it necessary to interfere. But since Mr Kynnersley has thought fit to distort and misrepresent the actual facts, and as he now stands forward openly"as the apologist of the rioters at Addison's, wejj are most unwillingly compelled to revert to the subject in order to set the public at a distance, right on many points. The tone of the report in the first place is to say the least of it flippant, whea the gravity of the question at issue is taken into consideration and the report as a whole is really and positively nothing moreor less thanamost laboured justification of the rioters, in order to justify his own inactivity, not to use a far harsher expression, He commences with St. Patrick's day when he admits that two men delivered seditious speeches, but does not think that the law should take notice of them, because their position in society was not an elevated ono. Had the same test been applied to all who have lately been brought within the pale of the law elsewhere in connection with political offences, prosecutions would have been few indeed. The fact also that the men in question would preach rebellion in one place and loyalty in another, is nothing uncommon amongst people of their stamp, but in Mr Kynnersley's eyes it is a virtual exemption from the legal consequences of their oratory. It was no doubt necessary for the Commissioner to give reasons for his conduct throughout, and we will do him the credit to say, that he has made the best of a very bad case. From beginning to end of his relation of events, there is a coloring to suit his own views, or rather to make it appear to the world, that he acted judiciously in

the matter. He carefully abstains from stating in reference to the procession on St. Patrick's day, that treasonous banners, or something very like it were carried through our streets, he does not consider that our crown and country,can be insulted by public honors being paid to executed traitors; although an officer in her Majesty's service, he hides all the offence given by one party, bnt dwells specially on that which is only alleged and which has never been substantiated by the other. Those who created the disturbance at Addisons wanted an excuse, Mr Kynnersley was eager to accept one and so we learn that " some provoking and insulting words had been used by the processionists." This is flatly denied by the other party, and what is more their denial is materially corroborated by the fact that prior to their arrival a mob had gathered for the purpose of attacking them. They could not have been insulted at all events till the procession reached them and yet there they were assembled to wipe out the insult in anticipation, by the aid of stones, sticks, axes &c. A pre-arranged attack was made, a couple of hundred routed about forty men, the latter being in Mr Kynnersley's opinion cowards, the former heroes, or if not quite that, at least honorable peaceable men. Now with respect to the warrants said to have beenissued, and so peacefully executed. In the first place summonses only were issued, and it was not till after Mr Kynnersley had had the meeting to which he refers, that warrants were sent, or at all events carried into effect. As to saying that loyalty or dis-loyalty bad nothing to do with the attack on the procession, it is clear that the Commissioner in making such a statement, made it only for Nelson and foreign circulation; those on the spot know better, whether Fenian or loyalist. The next few lines in the report are so bitterly untrue that we reproduce them He says:—" I determined that so long as I had any power in the matter, the Government of New Zealand in this district should not identify itself with a party toho, under the cloak of loyalty, are animated solely by factious andpartizan feelings, and that a street row and faction fight should be magnified into a supremacy of the law." ' Who" w%e*?n% faction - we should like to those who composed the attacking crowd. In reference to this journal we would offer some explanation. Mr Kynnersley has dwelt on the fact of there being no reporter present at one of the meetings he speaks of. Had he notified us of his intention to hold such, at any risk, and it would not have been a slight one, we would have sent a reporter. He never offered the slightest information of the meeting, either before or after it came off, and how or by what means it was called we are to this moment ignorant. One more remark in reference to ourselves. This journal is accused of " sedulously stirring np the whole puddle," which has so nearly resulted in bloodshed. This is simply and palpably false, for not one word was ever said till the disturbance took place to excite people here or elsewhere to riot or strife of any land. If endeavoring to bring offenders to justice and miserably failing through the all but openly expressed partizanship of the chief representative of Her Majesty with treason and traitors, _be .stirring the puddle we plead guilty to it. To bandy words is of no service to either party, but since Mr Kynnersley has thought fit to accept the office of rioters' advocate, it is necessary that the matter should be submitted to such enquiry as will elicit the truth. If his story is correct, it is only right that the facts should be proved when so large a portion of the community are incredulous on it. If his report is not in accordance with actual fact, or if there is a loyal party who irritate people into revolt and outrage, let that be proved, and we will accept the consequences of having wilfully misstated facts. Neither the Provincial or General Government have a right to accept his ideas, as so expressed, in reference to the origin of the disturbance, and it is only justice to all concerned that an investigation should be held. We would suggest that a public meeting be held, and a memorial adopted to the General Government praying for an enquiry, and if this is held, either Mr Kynnersley's conduct will be approved of or otherwise. If it is proved that that gentleman's conclusions are founded on incorrect premises, that in order to pander for popularity amongst the majority he has thought fit to asperse and malign the minority of the district; if it is shown that he has let the law be defied, the Queen's authority brought into contempt, and that peaceable men are in danger of their lives unless they belong to a certain race or class; then it would be a question for the Govern-

ment to consider how far such services were desirable, and whether it is well to patch up a hollow truce at the sacrifice of all dignity and self-respect. If an enquiry is made we are prepared to abide the result whatever it may be.