CHRISTCHURCH DISGRACED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17275, 30 April 1918, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH DISGRACED.

A LAMENTABLE OCCURRENCE

DISORDERLY ATTEMPT TO STOP

SECOND DIVISION RESERVISTS.

(Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, April 29. Very keen interest was taken to-day in the assembling of the first section of the Second Division to go into camp. A big crowd of people gathered in the vicinity of the King Edward Barracks during the afternoon, womenfolk being in particularly strong force. Inside the barracks, where the leservistg were being marshalled, there was a good deal of noise and hooting from the crowd. The Mayor appeared on the balcony, and his presence was the signal for a wild demonstration. The cheering and hooting continued. ''We want more money, " shouted a man, and cheers greeted the announcement.

The Mayor, who was gazing at the upheaval of the citizens, from the balcony, Avas asked "What do yon think of it, Mr Mayor?" by a. voice from the mob; but his Worship only sadly shook his head.

Major Co away appealed to a policesergflant to clear the barracks, but the sergeant simply asked: "What can I do?"

I have asked you now three times to clear the barracks/ 5 said Major Comvav.

"I cannot do so. What can I do?" retorted the sergeant.

Finally the military authorities gave up the attempt to get an orderly rollcall of the men, many of whom were anxious to g;t> to camp, and expressed their intention of doing so. These were advised by the officials to proceed singly to the lailway station to catch their train. A good proportion of the large crowd left the building, but a numerous section remained, and indulged in ironic numbering-off on parade, and other cat-calls.

Outside in the street a wild scene was taking place. The civilian police had undertaken the arrest of a man for disturbance, and when they tried' to take him to the military barracks, the dense crowd closed round, and many spectators, chiefly women.'urged the others not to let them take him. Four or ■£ye big policemen grappled with the man, -who was of athletic build", and lie was being taken along when the spectators surged in front and drove the police l*ack to a ditch. Here a scene of indescribable confusion occurred, -and many people were hustled over, but ultimately the police got the man to the barracks, and the gates were closed, women trying to climb the iron railing^ to get in.

When tho police got through and closed the gates on the crowd, they found themselves in a worse position than before, for there was a crowd of about five hundred people inside the building. The struggle was renewed, and the man got away, climbing over the iron gate into Castle St. The crowd in the barracks remained very disorderly, and the Mayor, upon leaving the building with Major Morrison, was followed by men, women and youths, all hooting and shouting offensive remarks.

The North Canterbury draff of 28 men got a,way fairly quietly from the barracks, a big portion of the crowd following them. More difficulty was experienced in marshalling the Christchurch City draft, on account of the crowd in the barracks, but eventually 90 (out of about 150 on the list) were assembled at the back entrance to the barracks, and were given their tickets and passes and directed to make their' way to she railway station. Despite the uproar m and around the barracks, the police kept their heads and tempers, and it was due to their tactful handling of the crowd that things did not turn out far more serious. There was no demonstration at Lyttelton on the departure of the ferry steamer with the draffe, only the usual farewells. It is understood that ]45 reservists boarded the steamer out of an expected 275 men. Theise figures are for the whole of North Canterbury and South Canterbury districts, the latter coming through by train. ®>

Commenting on the afternoon's proceedngs, Mr Holland (the Mayor) said it was a disgraceful exhibition. He did not think such a thing was possible while so many were at the front doing their bit.