RIOT IN LONDON.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 141, 13 February 1886, Page 6

RIOT IN LONDON.

London, February 8. A mass meeting of unemployed was held to-day in Trafalgar Square, when resolutions were adopted for an appeal to the Government and Parliament generally to take steps to remedy the existing distress. The addresses were of a very inflammatory character, many speakers propounding socialist doctrines of a violent kind. The mob dispersed in a riotous manner when the meeting ended, and smashed the Ministerial Club windows in Pall Mall,

LATER. The mob on returning from the meeting of unemployed to-day, behaved moat disgracefully, breaking into »nd completely sacking the establishments of jewellers, winecellars, and bakers in Piccadilly and South Audley - street, attacking and robbing occupants of passing carriages, as well as foot passengers, the .rioters then marched through Oxford - street and Regent- street, smashing windows as they passed along. The police were greatly outnumbered, and were powerless to suppress the outrages. Loxtox, February 9. Order has at length been restored in the West End after the riotous proceedings of the unemployed. The amount of damage done has not fully been estimated, but is known to be immense. A Press Association message says : — Burns and Hyndman were the leaders of the Socialist agitation in Trafalgar Square. For two hours a mob numbering 5,000 people held the West End of London, almost unchecked. Only a few arrests were made, the police alleging they were taken by surprise. A wanton and vindictive spirit was displayed by the rioters, who kicked provisions about the streets.

Another Riot Suppressed. Crowds of roughs assembled this morninef in Trafalgar Square and vicinity, but were easily dispersed. The jewellers shops, however, remained closed for anticipation of further violence. Public opinion generally blames the police for their incation in the face of the riotous proceedings yesterday.