A CAMP RIOT.

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1916, Page 3

A CAMP RIOT.

WIJVT OCCURRED AT ffatherSiox.

F\CTS LEAK OUT.

There has been much talk in the city concerning the trouble which occurred in the cam;) canteen at Fentherston last week (says the "N.Z. limes"), and several versions of what happened are in circulation. The facts reached us at the time, but for reasons which would commend themselves to readers it was not thought advisable to refer to the matter then. Allusions to the trouble have, however, now found their way into print, and further reticence wo ild serve no good end. ■The disturbance appears to have been somewhat on the lines of similar happenings of the nature in camp; though it was not so serious as one which took place there several months ago. When the canteen was at mid-day on Wednesday last a body of soldiers, about a dozen strong, entered the place and began a little horseplay. They amused themselves by rolling a heavy stone along the floor and they also erected a ladder and began, each in turn to climb it. When the canteen closed at. 1.30 p.m. nothing further had eventuated. ■At 5 p.m. the same group returned and remained in the canteen for the rest of the evening. By 7 p.m. their doings been noised throughout the camp and the canteen was crowded with eager and expectant onlookers. Some empty barrels were discovered in a corner of the building. These were rolled up and down the floor. When the Camp Commandant arrived on the scene about 8.30 p.m. ex-: citement was running high. The men listened to him, cheered him goodhumouredly, but continued their racket. Another officer attempted to quell the disturbance, but no attention was paid to him. The men who were creating all the disturbance would make a rush pellmell for the doors of the canteen. The remainder, fearing police intervention, would do likewise; but would return abashed and amused to (hid it, was a false alarm, hooted by the men who had instigated the ruse. About 9 o'clock the body of rioters, now thoroughly out of hand, pulled all barrels down from the counter and practically put a stop to all business in tho canteen. The men defied the police and threatened personal violence if they dared to show themselves. A strong complaint made was that men who overstay their leave in towns such as Invercargill or Auckland a;v fined heavily; while men who act similarly in Wellington forfeit only a day or two's pay. By this time a number of officers had entered the canteen and persuaded the more peaceful to leave the building. " When the disturbing element saw the canteen emptying the\ made a rush to get outside. The doors were eventually closed and some prisoners were thus taken. Hoots an ' protests were heard from outside. Stones were (lung and many windows, including those of the post office picture hall were smashed. About 10.:!0 p.m. the vten had dispersed to then - huts, and all was quiet.