DISGRACEFUL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 189, 30 April 1918, Page 6

DISGRACEFUL

FIRST CALL ON THE SECOND DIVISION HOW CIIRISTCHURCH RESPONDED DEPLORABLE SCENES By Telegraph —Press Association. Christchurch, April 20. Tho keiu-lft interest was taken to-tiny in the assembling of the 'first section of the Second Division to go into camp. A big crowd of people gathered in tho vicinity of King Edward Barracks dnring tho afternoon, womenfolk being in particularly strong force. Inside the barracks where the reservists wero being marshalled there was a good deal of noiso and hooting from the crowd. The Mavor appeared oil the balcony, and his presence was the signal for a wild demonstration, and the cheering and hooting continued. "We want more money!" shouted a man, nnd cheers greeted tho announcement. The Mayor, who was sailing nt the' upheaval, of the citizens from the balcony, was asked: "What do, you think of it, Mr. J.layor?" by a voice from the mob, but His Worship only sadly shook his head. llajor Conway appealed to a police sergeant to clear the barracks, but thft sergeant simply asked: "What can I do?" "1 have asked jou now three times to clear the barracks," said Major Conway. "I cannot do so. What can I do?" retorted the sergeant. Finally the Military authorities gavd up the attempt to get an orderly roll call of the men, many of whom wenanxious to go to camp and expressed (heir intention of doing so. These were advised l;,v the officials to proceed singly to the railway station to catch their train. A good proportion of the largo crowd left the building, but a numerous section remained and indulged in ironic* liu'ulk'ring off on parade and cat-calls. Outside in the street a wild scene was taking place. The civilian police had undertaken the arrest of a mar. for disturbance, and when they tried to tako him to tho military ■ barracks a dense crowd closed round, and many spectators, chiefly women, urged others not to let them'take him. Four or five big policemen 'grappled with the man, who was of athletic build, and ho was being taken along when ,the spectators surged in front and drove the police back to a i ditch. Here a sceue of indescribable contusion occurred, end many people wero hustled over, but ultimately the police got the inan to the barracks, and tho gates were closed. Women ivero trying to climb tho iron railings to get in. AYhen the police got shrough and closed tho gates on the crowd they found themselves in a worse position than before, for there was a crowd of about 500 peoyle inside the building.. Tho struggle was renewed, and the man got away, climbing over the iron gate into Casnel Street. Tho crowd in the barracks remained very disorderly, aud the Mayor upon leaving tho building with Major Morrison was followed by men, women, and youths, all hooting and shouting offensivo remarks. The North Canterbury draft of twentyeight men got away 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 tho barracks, but eventually AO (out of about 150 on the list) were assembled at tlie back entrance! to the barracks, and wero given their tickets and passes and directed to make their way to the railway station. Despite the uproar m aijd around the barracks tho polico kept tlicir heads and tempers, and it was due to their tactful handling of tho crowd that tilings did not turn out far more serious. Thee was no, demonstration at Lyttelton orf the departure of the ferry steamer with the draft. It is understood that 140 reservists boa rded the steamer out of an expected 275 men. These figures are for the whole of the North Canterbury and South Canterbury districts, tho falter coming through by train. Commenting on the afternoon s proceedings, Mr. Holland, Mayor, said it was a disgraceful exhibition. He did not think such a thing possible while so many were the front "doing their bit.