SENSATIONAL STORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 519, 4 September 1902, Page 2

SENSATIONAL STORY.

YLLEGED TYRANNY AND MUTINY NEW ZEALANDERS IN NATAL. By Telegraph—Pres; Association. Wanganui, last night.

The Wanganui Chronicle is publishing in tire morning a telegram received from its Mauuia correspondent. The telegram states that the Waim itc Witness publishes an account, basc-tl on the stateme: t of two officers of the Tenth Contingent, of a fatal bout which took place between Imperial troops ami New Zealanders at Newcastle, Natal, just after peace was declared. The report states that ill-feeling had been running high between the Tommies and colonials, and that the Provost Marshal, dealing harshly with one New Zealander for infringing a minor service rule, caused a body of New Zealanders, two or three hundred strong, to attack the Munster Fusiliers, who were acting as police in the town, the colonials using their stirrup straps with irons attached. The Provost Marshal then ordered a squadron of Dragoons to charge the New Zealanders, and to use the Hats of their swords. A portion of the New Zealanders got into a blockhouse near by and hurled lumps of rock at the mounted men, upon whom the New Zealanders were using their stirrup-

irons with good effect. Another body, 000 strong, of colonials rushed down to help the New Zealanders, but the proceedings were then stopped by high officials arriving on the scene. Two Dragoons were killed and many injured. The affair so far has been hushed up. The Chronicle’s correspondent vouches for the truth of the statements, and the Chronicle publishes them for what they are worth.