Thursday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 19, 4 September 1885, Page 11

Thursday.

A monster open-air demonstration was held at Christchurcb yesterday in favour of the East and West Coast and Nelson railway. It was the largest gathering that has ever taken place in this city. A procession composed of representatives from the various trades and friendly societies, members of the city and borough councils, county councils, road boards, Industrial Association, and other public bodies w.is marshalled in Cathedral square at 2 p.m. ; thence tney marched through the city to Hagley P^rk. The procession was quite a mile in length, and the sireeta were crowded all alone the line of route. At the park a mass meeting was held, attended by quite 20,000 persons of both sexes. Mr. A. Ayers, the acting-mayor, presided. Mr. C. C. Bowen pioposed the first resolution, as follows : " That, in the opinion of this great gathering— representing all classes of the people of Canterbury,— it is an injustice to the interests of Canterbury, Westland, and Nelson that the prosecution of a Colonial work of the importance of the East and West Coast and Nelson railway should be any longer delayed ; and that while trusting that the sum of £150,000 placed upon the estimates will not be rejected by the House, the Legislature be earnestly invited to proceed with the development of a scheme for dealing finally and comprehensively with the construction of this line." Mr. G. G. Stead seconded the resolution, which was carried by acclamation. Mr. Acion Adams moved—" That this gathering desires to tender its best thauks to the Canterbury and other members of the House of Representatives who have advocated the construction of the Eaßt and West Coast and Nelson railway, and trusts they will not relax their efforts until this important work has been commenced." Mr. J. D. Frankish seconded the moHon, which like the preceding one, was enthusiastically received and adopted. Though the assemblage was so large, and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed, the proceedings were most orderly throughout, and not a single accident or case of disorderly conduct occurred to mar the success of the gathering.

Mr. P»raell, addressing a public meeting at Dublin on Tuesday, deprecated tbeoutiages which have recently takeu place as damaging to the Irish cfcuse.

The freedom of the city of Dublin has been conferred upon Dr. K. I. O'Doherty, in recognition of the support given by him to the Irish cause in the Colonies.

In connection with the Caroline Islaad* difficulty, it is rumoured that the German squadron at present stationed at Zaneibar has been ordered to proceed to those islands. Acute excitement i 3 being manifested in Spain over the affair.

The wool sales opened on Tuesday. Messrs. Balme and Sons, and Jacomb and Company's joint catalogue comprised 12,000 bales, upwards of half of which were from New Zealand and the Cape.

The attendance of Home buyers was good, but that of foreign rather thin, and bidding was reserved. Merinos were id to Id below the last closing rates, and crossbred s were weak. The total Dumber of bales availablei lable is 240,000.