ROWDY TERRITORIALS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2210, 24 July 1914, Page 8

ROWDY TERRITORIALS

' OFFICER MOBBED AT PETONE.

Our special correspondent at Petone reports that shortly after 9 o'clock last evening a serious outbreak of mob larrikinism marked the termination of the Territorial drill parade at Petone. The noise of cries, hoots, and groans could be heard, mingled with approbrious "counting out" choruses, and the chanting of a refrain referring to the hanging of a certain person "on a sour apple tree." ' Upon investigation, it was ascertained that the drill instructor had had occasion to speak to a youth whilst in tho ranks in regard to something that had happened the previous drill night. This the. other lads had apparently resented, and when they were dismissed they had evidently arranged to get even with their officer. As the instructor, 'in company with a colleague, stepped outside the Drill Hall, and made towards the railway station, a large crowd, of shrieking, yelling lads followed up, not. only "counting out" and hooting, etc., but throwing missiles, one of these narrowly missing ono of the officers, and another crashed through the orderlyroom of the hall.

From then on' pandemonium reigned, the mob of boys growing larger as they drew nearer the main street. The officers displayed great forbearance under, what must have been most_ aggravating, circumstances. _ As the noiby horde approached within 100 yards of Jackson Street a cry of "Police!" was raised, and this had the effect of subduing the hubbub. As the ringleader of the affair appeared to be the one who had beer reprimanded previously, an example wil in all probability be made of him.