ROWDY COLONIAL TROOPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7087, 1 May 1901, Page 2

ROWDY COLONIAL TROOPS.

ATTACK ON A NEWSPAPER OFFICE,

EXPLANATION BY THE MEN.

United Pt«ss Aisoci»ti6n— By Eleotrio Telegraph— Capyrijtlit. (Received May 1, 9.45 a.m.)

SYDNEY, May 1.

Lieutenant-Colonel Robin, who is in command of the troops on board the Tongariro, expressed: his appreciation\pf the conduct of all on board.

With regard to the wrecking of the "South African News" office, he said, of course it was a hideous crime, but no one could «ay that what had been done was undeserved.

Some of the men on board speak freely on the subject, and the detail* which, they supply show that the -wrecking was the work of a company of thirty-five of the steadiest men an the contingent. The editor got wind of the trouble and vacated his chair, early. Only one person was in the building when the avengers of Australian honour arrived. He left suddenly by the window. The party, without haste or passion, destroyed the copy and distributer formes, and the papers, but did mot damage the machinery or the type. The paper came out in a reduced size, with apologies for its smallness. Twenty pounds covered all the damage done. The ToDgaTiro, with the New Zealand contingent, will sail to-night. The Hon George M'Lean visited Colonel Robin, on board the ship. _„_ ,_