The resentment and tension that existed between Irish Catholics and Protestants came with Irish immigrants to New Zealand.

In Timaru, both the Protestant Orangemen and Catholic Hibernians had processions planned for the 26 December 1879. Trouble was expected and police were sent from Christchurch, where only an Orangemen procession was planned. The Orangemen procession set out from the Foresters’ Hall in George Street, but they were soon driven back into the Hall, greatly outnumbered by Catholics demanding that they remove their regalia. The police succeeded in keeping the groups separate but the Resident Magistrate was compelled to read the Riot Act to dispel the crowd, and as a precautionary measure, all the public houses were ordered to shut.

In Christchurch, the Orangemen procession was confronted by a group of Catholics armed with pick handles who had banded in the Borough Hotel on the corner of Manchester and High Streets. With the police much reduced in numbers, injuries did occur and several men were admitted to hospital. The Borough Hotel was closed but disturbances continued outside the hotel throughout the day with stones being thrown at its windows by a crowd of Orangemen and sympathisers threatening retribution.

In the following days, authorities in Timaru and Christchurch had to stay vigilant to keep the peace. Volunteers were called up, more than 500 special constables were sworn in, and 50 members of the Armed Constabulary were sent from Wellington. In Timaru nine men were tried on riot and assault charges, one of the six found guilty was fined £100. In Christchurch 13 men were indicted and 11 were found guilty on the same charges, and sentenced variously to 12 and 18 months hard labour.

Photographed here are several records held at the Christchurch Archives New Zealand office that document the riots. The duty diary of the Christchurch Hereford Street Police Station shows the movement of the Christchurch police to Timaru on Friday 26 December. The Christchurch Hospital Admission register shows a fractured arm and scalp wounds were treated as a result of the riot. The Christchurch Supreme Court Return of Prisoners Tried register shows the verdicts handed down to the men tried there.

Photos and Reference Details: Return of Prisoners Tried – 1876-1897 [Archives reference: CH53/6]

Christchurch Hospital Admission and Discharge Register – 1879-1880 [Archives reference: CH293/158]

Police Christchurch Station Diary (Hereford Street Station) Jan 1879-Feb 1883 [Archives reference: CH439/70]

Caption information sourced from www.nzhistory.net.nz/violence-breaks-out-between-irish-ca...

www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/28501/print

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