THE TERRITORIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 280, 18 April 1913, Page 5

THE TERRITORIALS.

THE DAXNEVIRKE DISTURBANCES,

By Telegraph—Press Association. Masterton, Thursday

In " connection with the alleged misconduct at Dunnevirke of Territorials attending the Oringi cam)), the Daily Times has received the following telegram from Colonel Tate, officer commanding at the Oringi camp: —"The report is much exaggerated. There were six cases of drunkenness and one window broken on the train. There was no molesting of women. There was certainly a great deal of noise. Stringent measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence of sucli scenes." . ■ .

■PRESS RETORT DEFENDED.

Dannevirke, Thursday

Regarding tlit' wire from Masterton concern in.!,' Colonel Tail's statement that the report was much exaggerated, the information on which the wire,was based whs obtain'ed from the personal observation of the sender of the message. The railway official.-, police and railwaymen were warned to he careful of the facts 011 account of the serious nature of the charges. The molesting of women was never alleged. The message stated that women were subjected to gross remarks, and this is borne out by a Territorial ollicer, wlxp mentioned it in conversation, and by townspeople, who say for themselves that the language was shocking. The all'air is the subject of general adverse comment here.

ALL LEAVE STOPPED,

Dannevirke. ThursJa

The sequel to Tuesday night's invasion of Dannevirke by the Teiritorials took place at Oringi camp yesterday afternoon, when fifteen of those wiio were arrested oil the arrival of the train were fined £ I each for drunkenness. The battalion was drawn up and addressed by Colonel Tait, who said those responsible for tile affair on, Tuesday night had disgraced themselves and 'the whole camp. There bad been many unseemly doings, and though the behaviour of some was satisfactory, others had, acted disgustingly. He had not thought that when given leave young New Zealanderswould have acted as they had done. The only course open to him was to cancel .all leave in future. The brigade's reputation bad gone, and they had to atone for it. There could be no cavilling at the •decision. - !:l

Corporal Pejcv E.igncll (Masterton) lias been admitted to the Dannevirke Hospital, .suffering from pneumonia.