TRANSPLANTED IRISH INSTITUTIONS - University of Canterbury
TRANSPLANTED IRISH INSTITUTIONS - University of Canterbury
TRANSPLANTED IRISH INSTITUTIONS - University of Canterbury
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total abstinence pledge.<br />
Also among the New Zealand Tablet reports were general<br />
92<br />
comments about how some families were experiencing great happiness as a result <strong>of</strong> one or<br />
both parents giving up drink and becoming sober. 51<br />
This 'successful' mission by<br />
Hennebery was soon to be tested by Pastor Charles Chiniquy.<br />
Chiniquy was probably one <strong>of</strong> the most colourful lecturers ever to tour New<br />
Zealand. His life and writings had all the ingredients for an interesting tour. 52<br />
He had<br />
transformed from "an ultramontane Roman Catholic French-Canadian priest into a worldrenowned<br />
English-speaking Protestant anti-Catholic crusader. "53 The New Zealand leg <strong>of</strong><br />
his Australasian tour was preceded by the Boxing Day riots in Christchurch and Timaru on<br />
26 December 1879. These events, even though they had their own impetus, did coincide<br />
with Chiniquy's arrival. Chiniquy's lecturing in Hobart had led to riots and this rioting did<br />
occur before he arrived in New Zealand. 54 There were mixed reviews <strong>of</strong> Chiniquy's<br />
reception in New Zealand. When he arrived, the committee formed to oversee his tour was<br />
asked by Superintendent Thompson under instructions from Wellington, whether or not<br />
they would take responsibility for any disturbances.<br />
The committee accepted any<br />
responsibility. This indicated that there were precautions being taken to avoid a repeat <strong>of</strong><br />
the riots in Timaru and Christchurch or even Chiniquy's recent foray <strong>of</strong> potential<br />
martyrdom in Hobart. 55<br />
Chiniquy had been invited to New Zealand by the Grand Orange Lodge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
North Island for the express reason that "the public mind was full <strong>of</strong> expectancy to hear his<br />
51 New Zealand Tablet, 23 May 1879.<br />
52See Chiniquy's books, Fifty Years in the Church <strong>of</strong> Rome, London, Robert Banks & Son, 1911, and<br />
Forty Years in the Church <strong>of</strong> Christ, London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1900.<br />
53Paul Laverdure, 'Creating an Anti-Catholic Crusader: Charles Chiniquy,' Journal <strong>of</strong> Religious History,<br />
vol. 15, no. 1, June 1988, p. 94.<br />
54For further information on the Hobart events see E.M. Dollery, 'fhe Chiniquy Riots, Hobart',<br />
Tasmanian Historical Research Association Papers and Proceedings, vol. 9, no. 4, March 1962. For a<br />
contemporary account <strong>of</strong> the events see, 'A Full Account <strong>of</strong> the Hobart Town Riots, in Connection with<br />
Pastor Chiniquy's Lectures Together with Correspondence from Reverend H.C.M. Watson', Dunedin,<br />
John Graham, 1879.<br />
55Press, I January 1880.