UNRULY TERRITORIALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17189, 17 June 1919, Page 6

UNRULY TERRITORIALS.

TOWN HALL DISTURBANCE,

SPEAKERS INTERRUPTED.

ONE' COMPANY IMPLICATED.

The disorderly behaviour of a section of territorials was an unpleasant feature of the medal presentation ceremony in the Town Hall last evening. Between 600 and 800 territorial were accommodated in the body of the ha) 1 , and soon after they had taken their se?'~, the members of one unit commenced to behave in an unruly manner. Selections were played by the band of tho Third, Auckland, [ Mount -J Hiiies, and for a time these' youths were content to sing and whistle. Tho entrance into the hail of other companies, and of officers and civilians, was the signal lor an outburst of ironical cheers, and in soma c?scs officers and 'jublic men were : fe"n':siy " counted out." When the Acting-Prime Minister, Sir James Allan, and members of his party, appeared, tho cheers wet a mingled wuh hoots and hisses. As tlio party riled across tho stage the process of " counting out" was again indulged in. The hoots and cheers svere renewed when the Major, Mr. J. H. Gunson, rose to speak, and , there were continual interruptions during his address. It was some time before order could be restored after Sir James Allen rose. Tho " boo-hooing " was continued at intervals throughout his speech. Captain E. J, Browning was called upon to read the official descriptions of the deeds for which the decorations were award-id. A large number of the winners of the honours are dead, and in these j cases tho medals were received by the I next-of-kin. Several of these were women, and they were plainly distressed at the unseemly demonstration on what to them was a sacred occasion. Tho noise became so deafening while Captain Browning was reading that ho was compelled to address the men at the back of the hall, to them to be silent out of i nonour to the men who had won the i decorations. The appeal had some effect, and the proceedings for the remainder of the evening were quieter. It is understood that the Engineers Company, which numbered soi .'thing less than 100. was Eololy responsible for the disturbance.-