AFFRAY AT CODFORD

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 57

AFFRAY AT CODFORD

" AUSTRALIANS SACK CANTEENS. THE COST OF A PAIR OF BOOTS (Fbom Ode Ow»i Coebkspondbnt.) LONDON, Last week the troops on one section of Salisbury Plain had a day and a night out in celebration of a difference of opinion between a Canadian soldier and a British; military policeman. It seems that tho Canadian had purchased a pair of boots from a Tommy, and was proceeding 1 to camp with the boots in his bag. He wa* held up by a Bed Cap, who demanded to know what ho had in his bag. The Cana? dian objected" to the inquiry, and refused to show the contents. The obvious sequel was to arrest the Canadian. This, precipitated trouble. A number of Australians were near, and 'they intervened to rescue the Canadi&H from the police. This did not <?r.d thq incident. The Australians' taste for excitement having been whetted, a largo, body of them proceeded to the nearest oamp and sacked the canteens, distributing tho contents, including! the money from the till. One camp after another was visited and treated in the same summary manner, and when night fell thqi advancing host reached the oamp of thv. Now Zealandcra. The Camp Commandant (Colonel J. Mackenzie) was aware of what had beeri taking plnco in the afternoon, and realised that any attempt to resist the raiders wouldt only lead to an undesired collision between Australians and New Zealanders. He gavo orders accordingly that no force was to be used in resisting the Australian invasion, which passed off quite normally, the damage to the New Zealand canteens being limited to something like £IOO in value. On hearing of the trouble. Brigadiergeneral Richardson, Commanding in the United Kingdom, proceeded to Codford to inquire- into it. He fully approved of the tactful manner in .which Colonel Mackenzie had dealt with the trouble, and, in addressing the men, comolimented them on their forbearance, and hoped that there would be no attempt at retaliation on tho Aus* ■tratians, who throughout the campaign have been the best .of friends with the New Zealand troops. ©