Today in History

1879 Sectarian violence in Canterbury

In Christchurch, 30 Catholic Irishmen attacked an Orange (Protestant) procession with pick-handles, while in Timaru 150 men from Thomas O'Driscoll's Hibernian Hotel surrounded Orangemen and prevented their procession taking place.

The long struggles in Ireland for land reform, home rule and independence were a major issue in British politics throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Immigration from Britain and Ireland saw many in New Zealand follow these debates and crises closely. There had, for example, been earlier trouble between Irish Catholics and Orangemen at Okarito on the West Coast in 1865.

The Timaru Herald described the 'riotous proceedings' of Boxing Day 1879 as evidence of the 'existence of a bitter sentiment for which there is not the slightest reason in this country'. Furthermore, this was an 'open exhibition which cannot be justified on any grounds whatever'.

The trouble in Christchurch began when a procession of Orangemen marching down Manchester Street, accompanied by a band, was confronted by a group of Catholic railway workers outside Barrett's Borough Hotel. Police resources were stretched because Inspector Hickson and 20 of his men had already left for Timaru in anticipation of the riot that occurred there the same day. The few police present, aided by a Catholic priest, managed to separate the two groups, but not before several Orangemen were injured. As the police attempted to arrest one of the Catholics the ancient Irish battle cry 'faugh-a-ballagh' (clear the way) rang out as a number of his supporters rushed to free him. The police eventually made three arrests.