RIOTS IN SICILY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5807, 6 October 1879, Page 5

RIOTS IN SICILY.

The following account of the recent riots at Caltabiaho in Sicily, is given by the Capitals : —“On the morning of Junoß the poorer part of the population, both men and women, assembled in the square' to protestagainst a newtax levied on hens. The Syndio,who was found in a cafd playing at cards, taking the matter lightly, received the deputation with fisticuffs. Alarmed, however, by the increasing clamour, he led the.way to the municipality, and' surrendered the roll of the ratepayers. This was burned by the crowd, which then, dispersed. In the afternoon, however, the 'arrival being bruited of a force, of policemen, gendarmes, and soldiery, the crowd collected anew, and marching with the portraits of: the, King and .Queen, and the. national flag., at their .head, were: joined,by the Working Men’s Club, and.mot the forces at the station with loyal shouts :of ‘ Viva il R6.’ After an interchange of »alutations,'they marched coUeotiTely into the tillage,, halting, in the square. The military ,were drawn up in line/ The inhabitants ranged themselves opposite, waving their flags and cheering for the King and the army. At this moment a policeman, greatly detested,, nicknamed ' Thrasher,’ advancing, ordered the labourers to lower their flag. Exasperated by a refnaa), ho drew on the flag-bearer, but vfas in his turn struck by a stone. This was the 1 Signal for the commencement of hostilities. The, soldiers, fifed volley after volley. The crowd first .replied with stones, then disbanded and fled. Many persons were shot accidentally; . a mounted muleteer and a peasant singing .from the fields ; two children; and a man upwards of 80, who received a second fatal shot as his son, heedless of danger,,,bore him off. .Two young ladies; vfere wounded whilsj; closing the r windotv shutters. The lulled was 18, among whom was a pregnant woman, who was ‘rippod up by■ payoniet thrusts,;. .'Th«;ir6m»d«4'r were, . iipwSrds-pf 60, Seventy afreets wens inAde.. "Th^,,ppters, (ire. postered, about, the t®, return,to the village, Vnilstlmef crops sniffer from want of brads to‘