Year: 1868

The Assassination Observation-Disclosures Of


Horror ut the Attempt ON Prince Alfred


observation-disclosures Of Troubles With the


Natives.


WELLINGTON, April s, 1868.


Our loyal and patriotic colony has Just passed
through an excitement far superior to that which
the visit Of the royal captain OF the Galatea would
have caused People who have known our indus
trlous. quiet and somewhat dull New Zeaanders for
years would not have thought that the mere news Of
the attempted assassination Of Prince Alfred in
another colony should make almost everybody in
Auckland, Lytteton, Nelson, wellington and in
fact all over both islands, perfectly crazy.


The first information was received at Nelson by a
steamer from Sydney, but the only thing known
was:-'"rhe Prince is shot; not known il fatally.n
These words were ut once sent over all the wires,
and in few hours oil New Zealand was in a feversh
state OF excitement, indignation, fear and hope For
four days the uncertainty lasted until the Melbourne
steamer TO Wellington brought the particulars OF
the dastardly act committed on the 18th Of March.


Meetings Of an extraordinary character have been
held all the colony in connection with the oc-
currencc. Ours here was an affair OF the grandest
style. Every male inhabtant of the town. believe,
took part in the proceedings and helped to swell
the number of those who voted and signed the ad-
dress of deestation for the crime sympathy for the
Prince and loyalty to his royal mother, which was
adopted after some very stirring speeches and for
warded to the Queen and her second son.


During the meeting the town appeared completely
deserted every ONCE shop, store, barrOOn, &C., was
closed as Sundays. The demonstration was con-
tinued on the following Sunday, when In every
church and meeting house after the conclusion Of
the sermon the national anthem was sung by the
whole congregation with all the power OF lungs and
fervor OF heart Of which loyal Brtton is capable
Similar manifestations are reported from every nook
of the colony.


Under these circumstances 1t was natural that the
Eaptan proeapIinn3 Of which I In my Iocf
as being expected on the west coast of the middle
island should fall completely to the ground. Some
sort of funeral ceremony for the Fenan martyrs of
Manchester there was but OF q very tame nature.
one or two OF the participants were arrested and
committed for trial. but their companions did not
dare to make the least sign OF remonstrance, al
though one OF the arrested was priest. The news
of the attempt against the life ofthe Duke of Edin-
burg had the effect that several thousand people Of
Tered themselves to be sworn Ia rs special consta-
bes but there was no need Of their services Tor
Messrs Fenians kept very quiet.


The Dugbear OF che ''hoste native" is again haunt


ing the fancies Of the people in Auckland and neigh
borhood sure signs OF hostilit are said to have
been observed In different placs; but so fur as
have been able to ascertain Ony fact Is that near
Tauranga few head OF cattle wee driven or by the
natives.
Our new Governor Is on q visit to his predecessor
and on trip OF inspection through the Interior In
entx frop ne be 1--WE n gra m fue differ
treated him. and IL Is supposed that he will prefer
living there instead of here. this manner we
lose our little court here besides that we poor peo
pie have been cheated out of ouwrand festivities on
the occasion OF the Princes visit for tie royal cap
tain has preferred not to test the loyalty OF the
New zeaanders in the same wa rs that OF the Sgd
neyitcs.


Inc effects of the last fearful nods are slowly pass
ing away ana with renewed co1dence do we look


the future in the face. The last lcia statement OF
the Registrar General In reggd to population,
houses, acres under cultivation attle &c. very
encouraging, and In spite OF ioods and gales and
native wars the colony is boud to go ahead per
dsperd AT dstrd.n