ROWDYISM AMONG MELBOURNE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Issue 4306, 14 December 1876, Page 4

ROWDYISM AMONG MELBOURNE VOLUNTEERS.

The * Argus ’ of November 21 gives the following account of a disturbance which occurred amongst the volunteers at the distribution of prizes :—About half-past ten o’clock last night, after the distribution of prizes in connection with the Victorian Rifle Association had been made at the Town Hall, a large number of volunteers entered the new Victoria Arcade in Bourke street, which was standing partially open for the convenience of those who were attending the Academy of Music, and created a disturbance, which, but for the arrival of the police, might have led to serious consequences. For some unaccountable reason they commenced shouting and howling, and behaving altogether more like larrikins than the defenders of their country. The beadles of the arcade ordered them out, but without effect, and subsequently Alderman Aarons, proprietor of the arcade, appeared on the scene, and requested that they would conduct themselves as gentlemen or leave the place. No sooner had the words escaped from his lips than he was rushed and hustled about in a very unpleasant manner. His hat was knocked off, crushed, and spoiled. The beadles were treated in a similar manner. Ultimately a small body of police arrived, and the volunteers were after some difficulty cleared out of the arcade. Later on bands of volunteers were parading the streets in a very noisy way, and at the Hobson’s Bay Railway station a number of them were very disorderly in their behaviour.